SB Fuelie engine crank

[Rainer S.]

I am restauring a 63 SWC Fuelie. My engine builder is rebuilding my engine.He was highly recomended as being an expert engine builder. The shortblock came out of an originally hi-perf. block, being build to fuelie specs now. My engine builder suggested to use a cast iron 350 CI solid lifter crank, inplace of a forged 327 CI crank, as was used originally. He said, that because we are going to use lower compression pistons, in order to burn pump gas,this change in crank style would offset any HP drop due to the lower compression ratio (9.5:1). I am going to use a new 097 cam, also known as a 30/30 Duntov cam. Any comments ? Am I doing the right thing ? I want to use the car as a driver, after judging.
Rainer

[Ed Jennings]

Re: SB Fuelie engine crank

If you are using an 870 or even a 657 block, the 350 crank won't fit. Different journal size. Is the block a large journal block? Does it have the vent hole at the rear of the casting? If not, your stock valve covers may be a problem. With a 097 cam, you can run pump gas just fine with 10-10.5+ pistons. My 62 fuelie, which has essentially the same engine as a 63, uses domed pistons and a comp cams H280. Everything else pretty much stock. Runs just fine on 93 octane and will go like a bat out of hell.

[Joe C.]

Re: SB Fuelie engine crank

Rainer:

I agree with Ed. The aggressive nature of the cam, with its high overlap, will make the engine more tolerant of lower octane. Not true of the lower horsepower engines, with milder camshafts, though. My 1965 327 SHP L76 runs great on 93 octane, without even a trace of detonation. I built her with domed pistons, as original. I calculated the true C/R as 10.65:1 plus or minus .15, this based on chamber size, piston to deck clearance, ring land volume, etc.

Build your engine as original, and use the 327, forged crank, which should have SMALL journals. You should use an 870 block, and small valve heads. (I have a correct block and heads, if you need them). Good luck.

Joe

BTW: The Duntov cam is not the same as the 30-30. The Duntov was used on SHP engines through 1963. In 1964, the Duntov was replaced by the 30-30, a more radical design. It was used in smallblock Corvettes in 64-65, and in Z28 Camaros in 68-69. There are a lot of folks who recommend substituting the LT1 cam for the Duntov, and 30-30, as the LT1 makes more torque, and marginally more horsepower.

[Duke W.]

Re: SB Fuelie engine crank

I think you should shop around for another engine builder. As Ed said, the 350 crank has larger journals and won't fit in a 327 block. Use the original 327 crank and DO NOT turn it unless absolutely necessary. Check it dimensionally and for straightness. These forged cranks are virtually indestructible and other than polishing the journals it should not need any work.

The 097 cam and 30-30 cam are not the same. Also the 097 is the "Duntov" cam, not the 30-30. I do not recommend either for solid lifter rebuilds. Use the LT-1 mechanical lifter cam. Carefully check the rods - magnaflux for sure. If they are the early small bearing rods without the little hump of metal adjacent to the bolt seat, I recommend, as a minimum. the '67 small bearing rods, which are reinforced near the bolt seat. If you want a bullet proof bottom end, use a set of Crower Sportsman rods. Also, be sure that the builder does not deck the block.

A set of Speed Pro forged replacement pistons with a composition head gasket will yield about 10.5:1 CR and with the LT-1 cam should run on 93 PON unleaded premium with maybe a little tweaking of the initial timing and centrifugal advance curve. You could also run hypereutectic flattops for about 10:1 with the OEM 461X heads.

Duke

[Rainer S.]

Re: SB Fuelie engine crank

Thanks everybody for the good advise, I am glad, I asked the question. Will talk to my builder Mon AM...
Rainer

[William C.]

Re: SB Fuelie engine crank

Be very careful with your camshaft selection on a '63 fueler as too much overlap (desirable for high compression on today's gas) will provide too little vacuum at idle to fully close the cranking signal valve causing stalling in traffic. (been there, done that) Remember the function of the FI unit when choosing a camshaft. The problem I'm referreing to is why Chevy went to the 380 FI system in '64 and '65 with the "30-30" cam.

[Loren L.]

Don't just "talk" - pick up your parts and move on *NM*

[Mike Cobine]

pick up your parts and move on - Agreed

If your builder doesn't know the difference between a small journal and large journal crank, then you may find he has even more serious problems as he continues.

If he is planning to turn the 350 crank down to small journal, it is going to get very expensive, unless he is in this for free.

Basic rule of thumb on cams is this: on a given cam, 283/hot, 327/warm, 350/mild.

The larger the displacement, the less effect you get on the cam. You have to increase the cam with an increase in the engine displacement to maintain the same degree of radical-ness.

[Dick W.]

Re: SB Fuelie engine crank

Have to agree with Clup. I would be afraid the the LT-1 cam, which is designed for a 350 CID engine, would be too much for the '63 with 327 CID