Chevy High’s Flashback to 1968 327-inch Summit Racing Build

Half a century, that’s 50 years. It sounds like a long time ago, but in terms of Chevrolet small-block performance, the third increase in cubic displacement had already been around for over six years. With this in mind, the staff ofChevy High-Performancemagazine set out to build a 1963-vintage 327 using period-correct high-performance parts available then and still available today at Summit Racing Equipment, with just a few minor concessions to modern technology. To read the complete step-by-step story of howChevy High Performancefound big horsepower from a 1963-vintage small-block 327 using Summit Racing Equipment as a source, please follow this link: www.superchevy.com/how-to/engines-drivetrain/1808-building-a-period-correct-1968-vintage-chevy-327-engine

Short-Block Combo

The block is a 1963-vintage 327 with a 0.030-inch overbore and standard machine work. The bottom end features a small-journal 327 steel crank, reconditioned factory rods with ARP rod bolts, Speed Pro forged pistons, and Sealed Power bearings. The camshaft is a Comp Cams hydraulic flat tappet rated at 228-degree duration at 0.050-inch and 0.512 inches of valve lift. Other parts in this combo include Comp Cams lifters, a Fel-Pro gasket set, and a Summit Racing single-row timing set.

Oil and Valvetrain Combo

The 327’s oiling system is nice and simple: a Moroso Street/Strip oil pan and pump pickup, a Melling high-volume oil pump, and an ARP oil pump driveshaft. JGM Performance treated a pair of factory 462 double-hump iron cylinder heads to some custom porting, higher-rate Comp Cams valvesprings, 1.6:1 ratio High Energy rocker arms, and pushrods.

Induction, Ignition, and Headers Combo

JGM used a period-correct Edelbrock Streetmaster intake manifold topped with a Holley 1850 carburetor. Our combo includes an Edelbrock Performer EPS intake with the correct manifold-mount oil filler tube. JGM gave in to modern technology by fitting a PerTronix Ignitor module in the Delco points distributor. We also included a Carter mechanical fuel pump and a set of Hedman Street Headers designed for a 1968 Camaro.

Complete Combo

This combo includes a GMB water pump and a Pioneer harmonic balancer, plus a set of Holley M/T aluminum valve covers and a classic Holley chrome air cleaner to dress up our 327. We’ve also included an Edelbrock chrome timing cover, a Summit Racing engine bolt kit, and a Hastings adapter to convert from a canister-style oil filter to a spin-on filter. Finally, we included four cans of VHT High Temperature paint to paint those headers in a very-1960s white.