Top 10 Engines of All Time (#5): Chevy 427
While Chevrolet did produce a select few 427-cubic-inch engines a few years prior (the Z11) for the Chevy Impala, the wildly popular Chevy 427 V8 engine became available to the general public in 1966.
The engine won instant fans, because the powerplant offered versatility and piles of horsepower.
The 427 powered vehicles across the spectrum of Bowtie offerings—from family wagons to Corvettes.
History
Chevy started using the 427 big block as a production engine in 1966—an engine with a diverse range of power depending on a particular vehicle or application.
The 427 lived in both station wagons and as well as Corvettes and Camaros.
Fans of this engine tout the 435-horsepower L71 version of the 427 which powered the Chevy Corvette from 1967-1969. These cars could run 13-second quarter-miles right from the factory, and that was absolutely cooking back in the late ‘60s.
Among gearheads and hotrodders, the 427 is considered to be one of, if not the, least expensive way to make a lot of horsepower.
For non-street use, the 427 ZL1 was built with aluminum blocks and cylinder heads. That engine, properly tuned, spit out more than 500 horsepower and was used in a variety of racing applications.
Engine Specifications
1966 – 1969 with 4 Barrel Carb (L36)
(Low Compression Model)
Max Brake Horsepower – 390 @ 5200 rpm
Max Torque – 470 @ 3600 rpm
Stroke – 3.76
Bore – 4.251
Compression – 10.25
1966 with 4 Barrel Carb (L72)
(High Compression Model)
Max Brake Horsepower – 425 @ 5600 rpm
Max Torque – 460 @ 4000 rpm
Stroke – 3.76
Bore – 4.251
Compression – 11.0
1967 – 1968 with 4 Barrel Carb
Max Brake Horsepower – 385 @ 5200 rpm
Max Torque – 460 @ 3400 rpm
Stroke – 3.76
Bore – 4.251
Compression – 10.25
1967 – 1968 with 3 x 2 Barrel Carbs (L68)
1969 with a 4 Barrel Carb
Max Brake Horsepower – 400 @ 5200 rpm
Max Torque – 460 @ 3600 rpm
Stroke – 3.76
Bore – 4.251
Compression – 10.25
1967 – 1969 with 4 Barrel Carb
Max Brake Horsepower – 425 @ 5600 rpm
Max Torque – 460 @ 4000 rpm
Stroke – 3.76
Bore – 4.251
Compression – 11.0
1967 – 1969 with 3 x 2 Barrel Carbs (L71)
Max Brake Horsepower – 435 @ 5800 rpm
Max Torque – 460 @ 4000 rpm
Stroke – 3.76
Bore – 4.251
Compression – 11.0
1967 – 1969 with 4 Barrel Carb (L88)
(Very rare engine that was offered in Corvettes. Only 20 were produced in 1967.)
Max Brake Horsepower – 430 @ 5800 rpm
(Some argue that it actually produced up to 600 horsepower, according to EngineFact.com )
Max Torque – 450 @ 4000 rpm
Stroke – 3.76
Bore – 4.251
Compression – 12.5 (Was lowered to 12.0 in the last half of 1969.)
1969 with 4 Barrel Carb
Max Brake Horsepower – 335 @ 4800 rpm
Max Torque – 470 @ 3200 rpm
Stroke – 3.76
Bore – 4.251
Compression – 10.25
Top Aftermarket Upgrades
According to Summit Racing, these Chevy Big Block 427 Mark IV parts are the most readily available (number of options as of 1/21/2014 in parenthesis):
- Lifters (77)
- Distributors (76)
- Camshafts (65)
- Valve Covers (54)
- Intake Manifolds, Carbureted (52)
- Cylinder Heads (50)
- Camshaft and Lifter Kits (46)
- Rocker Arms (42)
- Headers (41)
- Exhaust Header and Manifold Gaskets (38)
Editor’s Note: This series counts down the Top 10 engines of all time—see how the voting was done by reading our initial post.
SOURCE: EngineFacts.com
You forgot about 450 horse which the 427 was first rated when introduced in
Corvettes for 1966 early builds.
yep !!
was there a high block 427 if so what is the hp torke
I have a heavy duty truck with a 427 in it. It was used to pull rice trailers. Does anyone know if it is a 4 bolt main? The option number on the glove box shows 427 V-8 12L43CB
It is possible for your engine to have a 4 bolt main. But remember that your engine was built with torque mods. So it is probly a low compression engine. Which is good to have the bare block for restoration on truck engine. NOT Passenger cars.
The tall deck(.400) over a pass block was from the 366/427/454/ 500cid commercial engine group the 454 and 500 are the rarest This engine was in everything from 2.5t 40/50/60 series trucks school buses marine farm equipment and various industrial aps The were designed to have diesel like operation hi torque rise low rpm(2800) hi reliability engine When cared for (overheating could be a problem) they were a fantastis engine They have a hi nickel 4bolt Tonawonda block with a forged crank a holley carb transisterized ignition Dual thermostat hi flow water pump In stock form they were very stout for the application But because the pistons have an extra ring (oil ring below the wrist pin) and low rpm hi velocity heads they need help for perf use They do make an ideal base however and many have been bui lt into really famous race engines A true diamond in the rough Light pistons and new heads and they are ready!
jeff could the 427 talldeck be special orderd in a 3500 4x4truck
Is there such thing as a 400 big block?
Yes only made by the Pontiac firebird. 1969
I recently aquired a big block 427 out of a 76 gmc heavy duty truck how do I identify it to be sure exactly what motor it is
Kinda sorta
How many uncles in an ant hill
I’d like to see a full-on comparison between the Z11 427 in the ZL1 427 to see which one actually makes more horsepower and torque
I Bought a 69 427L 88 engine from the Chevrolet dealership it has the domed pistons four bolt main and I think it’s 12 1/2 to 1 compression or 13 1/2 to 1 compression and I would like to know the camshaft specs
Can anybody tell me the lift and duration of that camshaft ?
I would like to go to the Biggart camshaft in it, but I don’t know how large I can go with Domed pistons
Thanks in advance