427 Tall Deck

427TB · Mar 10, 2018

I have looked at forums and I have not seen anything about what I want. I am wanting to rebuild a 427TD to use it as a actual towing vehicle. It will be mated up to a 5 speed and a two speed rear ( torque instead of HP is my focus ) Looking to see what others have done or options to do. Bore, stroke, cams, etc looking for ideas and whats out there. I have called local shops and no help.

Maniacmechanic1 · Mar 10, 2018

I have a 427 Tall Deck Big Block Chevy.
Mine is out of a 1984 GM Kodiak Truck.
You Either got a Caterpillar Diesel Engine or a 427 Tall Deck Big Block Gas Engine.

You can install it as Is.
It is designed and setup for Heavy Duty Use Bone Stock like You want in a truck with a Clark 5-speed transmission & an Eaton Rockwell 2-speed Rearend.

The Engine has factory Forged pistons with 4- ring package.
Sodium Filled Exhaust Valves with Hollow Valvestems. Just like an Aviation Piston Engine or Heavy Duty Diesel.
Forged connecting rods.
Forged crankshaft.
4-bolt maincaps on all 5 mains.
Factory Double Roller Timing Chain.
Cam designed for Low speed Power Torque.

You can build a 496 Stroker Big Block Chevy if you want to.

These 427's were used in Water Tank Firetrucks.
Beer Trucks.
Farm Grain Trucks.
They can pull 80,000-100,000 lbs loaded all day long.

Maniacmechanic1 · Mar 10, 2018

You do not have Racing in mind but the 427 Tall Deck is the strongest factory Block ever made by GM.
Guys have pushed to 950 HP Full water jacket.
1400 HP with concrete Block Filler.

Pontiac 455 Has been pushed to 900 HP with full water jacket.
Making it #2 strongest.

Maniacmechanic1 · Mar 10, 2018

I used to work in a Truck shop & I seen 427 Tall Deck BBC Often.
I have never seen 1 blow up.
We used to take the Governor Holley & set it aside.
Install a New Holley 4160.
Wakes the 427 right up.
They Like 4" to 5" inch single exhaust or Dual 3" -Dual 4 inch exhaust. Bigger the Better. Just Like a Semi Truck 11 liter engine.

Maniacmechanic1 · Mar 10, 2018

A few of the early 1968-1970 427 Tall Decks had factory Gear Drive for the Camshaft I have heard.
Reverse rotation camshaft used.

You have to go back to small Pilot forum posts & Blogs 2000-2003.
After that info ends.
Other than Grumpys site here.

Loves302Chevy · Mar 10, 2018

WOW. Holy cow, I'll bet you never expected such an answer like that, and in only 11 minutes!
I guess you came to the right place. BTW, welcome. Brian and Grumpy have a vast wealth of knowledge.
Why don't more of us know about this engine? Sounds like the one to build. Is it still made?
Does the aftermarket support it with speed parts?

427TB · Mar 10, 2018

Thank you for info , It is a 427TD , It already has headers and dual 4" exhaust other then that looks like a stock motor. The guy I bought it from said he floated a valve. He actually started it for me , It starts and moves, did a compression test and one cylinder has 0 others all good , He bought it used and said previous owner had supposedly put in a cam, put on headers and don't know if anything else. I figure I'm tearing it down to check heads might as well ,stroke it, see what cams are out there, maybe put FI on it . It will be used just for towing so idle to 5000 is what i'm looking for.

Maniacmechanic1 · Mar 10, 2018

427TB said:
Thank you for info , It is a 427TD , It already has headers and dual 4" exhaust other then that looks like a stock motor. The guy I bought it from said he floated a valve. He actually started it for me , It starts and moves, did a compression test and one cylinder has 0 others all good , He bought it used and said previous owner had supposedly put in a cam, put on headers and don't know if anything else. I figure I'm tearing it down to check heads might as well ,stroke it, see what cams are out there, maybe put FI on it . It will be used just for towing so idle to 5000 is what i'm looking for.

They are worth using and repairing or rebuilding.
A guy about 20 miles from me had a 427 Tall Deck in a 1979 Camaro.
He Ran Low 10's with it.
Stroked to a 496. Shot of Nitrous to get from Low 11's to Low 10's.

Torque cams are made for Big Block Chevies.
Grumpy can help you find the right one if needed.

Maniacmechanic1 · Mar 10, 2018

The Heads on the Later Tall Decks actually Flow very Good. Oval Ports.
Just about right with the 781's.
On Stan Wiess's Head Flow data sight.

Photobucket took all my past photos and holding for ransom.
Had a thread on my 427 Tall Deck here a few years back.
So photos are gone.

See if I can find them & get them up here.

The Blocks were not cast on standard Chevy Lines that I can tell.
No Casting Date exists.
But CFD is there for central foundry division.
Casting Part Number is present only.

Done just like the Cadillac 500 & Olds 425 V8 engines.
No standard date codes.

Maniacmechanic1 · Mar 10, 2018

427TB · Mar 10, 2018

Very interested in doing a 496 for low end torque , Ill be doing research for right cams, intake/ maybe FI , internal components needed.

Maniacmechanic1 · Mar 10, 2018

427TB said:
Very interested in doing a 496 for low end torque , Ill be doing research for right cams, intake/ maybe FI , internal components needed.

You Found the Right Place.
Grumpy = 496 BBC Guy.

They are usually built for Hi Po Race a 496 BBC.
Might have a hard time telling Grumpy its for a Large truck only.

I read recent that these 427 Tall Decks weigh 50 lbs more than standard iron 427-454 BBC.

Its Super Heavy the Tall Deck 427 of mine put together.
It weighs alot more than a Pontiac 455 engine. Feel it moving it around.
I put it back together after taking photos and wrapped it up & its stored in my Garage for my 87 Corvette someday.

427TB · Mar 10, 2018

Maniacmechanic1 · Mar 10, 2018

427TB said:
View attachment 9445 View attachment 9446 View attachment 9446

Thats A Kool Truck Rig.
We Like Custom Trucks here Also.

427TB · Mar 10, 2018

Thanks, Been looking for a group of guys that know what talking about so I can get it on the road. Have a 30' gooseneck set up to haul bikes, equipment , and whatever else I need at track.

Loves302Chevy · Mar 10, 2018

This is going to be so cool! Please keep us posted.

Grumpy · Mar 11, 2018

427 Tall Deck

427TB

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Maniacmechanic1

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Maniacmechanic1

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Maniacmechanic1

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Maniacmechanic1

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Loves302Chevy

"One test is worth a thousand expert opinions."

427TB

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Maniacmechanic1

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Maniacmechanic1

solid fixture here in the forum

Maniacmechanic1

solid fixture here in the forum

427TB

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Maniacmechanic1

solid fixture here in the forum

427TB

Member

Maniacmechanic1

solid fixture here in the forum

427TB

Member

Loves302Chevy

"One test is worth a thousand expert opinions."

Grumpy

The Grumpy Grease Monkey mechanical engineer.