Duane's Torino project got me motivated. So I got the '68 327 out of my first car from it's storage spot, and did a little work to it.

Grease ball engine. I never cleaned it in 1976 when I installed it. I just stuck it in the car, to get it running.
http://inlinethumb28.webshots.com/44...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb63.webshots.com/39...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb62.webshots.com/43...600x600Q85.jpg

Painted Bellhousing. (after cleaning, and cleaning, and cleaning, and....)
http://inlinethumb43.webshots.com/46...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb63.webshots.com/46...600x600Q85.jpg

So I cleaned, and cleaned, (and you get the picture) the engine and finally got some paint on it.
http://inlinethumb44.webshots.com/45...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb49.webshots.com/47...600x600Q85.jpg


Now I'm at an impass. Black or silver headers?

 

 

Wow, that came a long way! Looks great!

 

Looks good. I'd go with silver though, looks more "natural."

 

I think silver brightens the engine up. Not that I would rule out black. One thing I don't want. ALL my '57s looking the very same. So I'll save the black headers for another car.

Space, no idea on estimated HP? The engine started out as a 300 HP engine. I added the cam and heads off a '73 400 small block. The guys over on Hotrodders Forum, and Chevy Talk told me, "Yes the valve size does play a roll in engine performance. But the CC of the heads (combustion chamber) is what you want to be concerned with." I know everyone who knows anything about stock Chevy performance heads all say, "Hey, it's got double hump heads on it." referring the marking cast in to the ends of the heads. Chevy used various markings to denote double hump heads over the years. The '73 heads definately have the double hump markings. As did the stock 327 heads. I thought once I get the engine back in the car and get it so it's a running, moving vehicle again I'd see how much I like or don't like the engine's performance then either leave it as is, or swap back to the original 327 heads.

 

looks great the LIL THINGS MATTER

 

RJ, I like the silver too. If the car's all blacked out, like mine, that'd be different. Go with the silver.
Looks like the engines cleaning up nicely. Which one of the cars gets this? Got a pic?

 

paint the headers white. i think thats the color of the ones in our '57. and get a set of finned aluminum valve covers, paint the "vallys" between the fins to match the block. looks badazz with the 2X4 setup on it what carbs are on it? holly? edelbrock?

 

Ryan,
Thanks for the suggestion.
The headers in my 150 Wagon are white. I hate to have all my '57s looking the same.




Wayne,
My very first car.



It's been in pieces for almost 23 yrs now. Kind of obvious the work I wanted to do.......... isn't going to happen.

I consider your guys my friends. To date you're on a list of very few names I've shared this information with. I don't want to go around broadcasting that I got a bit motivated and worked on the car some. I'd rather it be, when the car finally comes back out most will wonder where I got the '57 from?

As of march, 2010 the car once again has Cragar S/S wheels on it. The first time in 22 years.

Plan of action.
Detail the engine of course. Then re-install in the car. Firewall & frame are getting painted first.
Get engine running, brakes working.
Strip roof and paint original color of white.
Primer the body grey and drive it for a while. Till I can see if I have the funds to paint the body?