Thread: 427 Build what do I need

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Originally Posted by OldMech

OK.. with all due respect.. i have to disagree with only a single point.. that a tall deck will not fit, that it is not a drop in engine..
I run a tall deck in a 68 Camaro, and in my dually.. both are stroked engines.. the 489 in the dually just set up for GOBS of low end torque.. the only concession I had to make on the Camaro was the small diameter booster, the headers actually cleared a little easier. On the Dually I had to get the spacers for the intake and machined the dist lock ring off and added a collar to correct the height. Both engines "dropped right in" using the stock motor mounts etc.. your talking about a 9.8 to 10.2 difference. Less than a half inch.. If an aftermarket intake is used for the tall deck the difference remains at half inch on the breather as well, if the spacers are used it can go beyond an inch taller depending on the intake.
I have installed Tall deck engines in a 56 Chevy truck, a 66 GTO, A 70 Camaro, Multiple 80's / 90's trucks and many other vehicles, including a Vega. They do fit... some with NO modifications, some require slight alterations like a smaller vac booster, and once in a while headers designed for the application. Some... like the Vega require a bit more alteration.
What you have to consider is your application.. depending on what your going to put it into.. is the smaller diameter booster worth using the tall deck?
I know they will fit in 60s and 70's camaro's using that smaller booster, I have yet to install a tall deck into a chevelle, but considering they came with 9.8 deck height big blocks I doubt there would be much fuss getting the tall deck into it.



60's trucks arent an issue either... I suppose it all comes down to what you consider DROP IN...

yep well i done many tall decks 572 to 638 .and gm 427 blocks 525to540 as well put a few in but built and machined way more one just went out the door. going in a 70 chevelle is a GM A body like a gto done the GTOs more then one time . but the headers i allways made the tall deck is not a big deal if you building headers were the rub comes in is that most race heads have a raised ex port of .300then you add your 400 to it = .700 lets just say 3/4 not many headers are going to work .power boosters never a big deal very few have much vacuum at idle anyways. far as the dist cutting them down and the intake plates that s just part of my job building engines no big deal just time. long has the customer knows this .now slip collars dist and intakes that are made for the tall deck are not hard to get not like it was 20 years ago