This is news to me so bare with me if it is old news to you. I recently purchased the entire original drivetrain from a 1964 Nova SS V-8 4spd. At the time of purchase, I was content to install the parts from rad to rearend just as they came from the factory. While in York, PA, NNN headquarters, I picked up a 64 Nova SS to be delivered to Kansas. At the same time, I picked up the above drivetrain that had been retained from a 64 Nova SS sold to a buyer that planned to build a "Hot Rod" and had no use for the 283, 4 spd, posi drivetrain. While loading the parts, Wayne made mention to me that this was a late 64 build and therefore could be overbored to a 327 displacement. This tidbit really intrigued me as I had been wondering how I could get more HP from these parts without giving up the original appearance and parts. He said the block was a 721 and that block was used in 65 & 66 for the Nova SS 327 cars. The block can take a .125 overbore and when used with a 327 small journal crank, it is 327 ci displacement. This opened up a whole new list of possibilities for me in terms of combinations of components I could use resulting in nummerous cubic inch and HP output. I have since completed the 3,000 mile trip and arrived home with a California 63 Nova SS and a trailer full of parts. I have the block on a motor stand and it is indeed a recessed oil filter 3790721 with a 283 bore and engine pad stampings of F0927CF. I forgot to write down the date code but the application code shows it as a 64 283 4 spd. I think the F is for Flint and 0927 is Sept. 27, 1964 build date for the car. Funny thing is I started working at the Flint Engine Plant building 283, 327, 6 & 4 cyl motors in Oct. 1964. My guess is this block came down the line about a month prior to my employment. I'm posting this information because I don't know how many other people know that some of the 283 blocks used in the 1964 Nova SS V-8 builds were actually 327 blocks and can be rebuilt as a 327. I also bought a 4bbl intake manifold and NOS AFB carb while in York and along with the 327 crank I located, the only questions left are what cam and heads to use. Most of the heads seem to have 1.72 intake valves even on some of the 327's but I think I will continue to look for a set of 1.94's from the era. I do not want to run over 10 to1 comp. so flat tops will be used and I'm thinking about a 300 hp 327 cam or possibly an L-79 grind. What do you think??
I think this is the same block Carl S made into a 327 for his car. This block was used for a 283 and 327. See below from the Chevy by the numbers. I think it is a rare and hard to find block. Great find on your part.
In case its to small to read it say's
All 1965 and early 1966 Novas used this block through October 1965(1966 model year) Both cast iron and forged steel crankshafts were used with this block.
This block was possibly used for 1962 and 1963 chevy II service conversions but this has not been verified. This block was also used as the primary block for the 1964 chevy II 283. It seems that chevrolet began using this block for 327 engines prior to the release of the 3791362 block in October 1965.
-- Edited by Beaumont4008 on Sunday 29th of August 2010 12:29:29 PM
-- Edited by Beaumont4008 on Sunday 29th of August 2010 12:51:20 PM
1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod