[William G]

I recently picked up a 1965 Bel Air wagon, that has a 327 engine in it. My question is, how do i tell if it is the 250hp or the 300hp engine? The fading sticker of the valve cover says "Chevrolet 327 Turbo-Fire" . I am unable to get any numbers off of it right now. but any info would be much appreciated, thanks

 

[gravel128]

There is a number on the back of the block, by the top of the bell housing...grab flashlight and get this number...look straight down. if you have this number you can find out whatever ya want about your 327 7 to 9 digits

 

[adge the champ]

find the vin code and type it up on the vin decoder do you know how much horses each version of the 327 made go find a dyno shop and measure its bhp

 

[lonebker]

go to chevy engine codes website. look at the letters on the front of the block under pass side head behind alot, you should see 2-3 letters. that website will tell you what block out of what what hp and 2 or 4 bolt main. depending on the engine. the casting numbers in the rear, mainly will tell you its a 327 305,350 on and on. if you cant find the site put it here and ill tell you what you are looking for.

matt

 

[UberWagon]

If the engine has been machined the numbers will be gone from the front ID pad. There should be a trim tag on the cowl around where the brake master cylinder is. I know the tag on my 68 caprice had a spot for the engine, this tag will be in the number codes that GM used so it will not say 327 and then the HP. It will be a 2 bolt main block no matter what, (as all passenger car 327's prior to 1968 were two bolt mains) and it should have small crank journals.

I personally wouldn't be too concerned with the original HP rating, as long as it is a 327 and of the right era for the car that is all that matters, add a cam, some better heads, a decent aluminum four barrel intake, and some headers and call it done.
Here is a pic of my brothers all original 1967 Biscayne wagons 283.

Here are a couple of links for reference.
http://www.vehicleidentificationnumber.com/vehicle_identification_numbers_vin_decoding.html
http://www.geocities.com/meanracing/BlockCastingInformation.html
http://www.55chevy.org/chevy small block engine.htm

 

[klattu]

Clydesdale or Quarter

The only thing that would be considered hi-tech between a 250 and a 300 would be the heads.
Your going to change a cam, pistons and most likely upgrade the intake anyway when you rebuild.
So you can have just about any form available, as long as you get a good set of heads.