general 327

[68_Gladiator]

okay so im buying a 67 gladiator with a 327. what should i replace just to be sure nothing happens with it? im planning on changhing oil, doing cap, rotor, plugs, and i heard it would be wise to change the timeing chain and gears? where could i find these? napa shows the chain and smaller gear on their site but not the larger one. any info would be greatly appreciated.

[Gambler68]

Mad Dog Racing is starting to carry more 327 parts, I've bought off them before, decent to work with.

Falcon is an ebay company that sells alot, but they are pricey.

Waterpump you can get at A-zone/whereever. Easy to replace.

If you're going to tear down to the timing chain, get your gaskets beforehand, they are out there, some new, some NOS. I'd say if it runs good, don't open it up, just flush the oil and coolant and replace the easy stuff. Mine was overheating BAD till I did the pump, it wasnt leaking but the impellers corrode and don't push any fluid after a while.

[68_Gladiator]

about how many miles can you put on these motors if well maintained before theyll give out or need rebuilding?

[drlocke]

IIRC my sprockets and chain I got through CarQuest. As well as the water pump and some other parts I needed--including the hard-to-find Prestolite Obsolete Starter. (POS) Gaskets were obtained by a buddy of mine, so I'm not sure of the original source.

Can't tell you for sure how much service life is in the typical, well-maintained Nash 327, as mine only has only 76K on the clock at present. I can tell you that the construction is very sturdy and well-engineered. Flint Boardman may chime in and give you a better idea, as he has had many years of experience with these motors in both Jeep and Rambler apps. Also check out his links on this motor--very informative. :thumbsup:

[fulsizjeep]

Just my opinion... The weak link on an AMC V8 whether it is a 327 or 401 is the nylon tooth timing gear if it has never been replaced.

My dad had a 65 Ambassador w/287 shred teeth at 75 mph on a SE TX two lane blacktop in the middle of no where. Some how, it was close enough to time that it limped home around 100 miles. The next day it wouldn't start. The valves hit most the pistons and bent pushrods everywhere. It was amazing that it ran to get home.

[red mistress]

you got link for mad dog for 327 parts?

I googled and came up with bunch.

[VAGladiator]

http://www.kanter.com/PAGE--engine_overhaul_kits__parts.htm
Kanter auto is a good source, below is cut and paste from their web site.

BMDTiming chain$20.60BMDCam gear$45.00BMDCrank gear $20.00

[drlocke]

Just my opinion... The weak link on an AMC V8 whether it is a 327 or 401 is the nylon tooth timing gear if it has never been replaced.

My dad had a 65 Ambassador w/287 shred teeth at 75 mph on a SE TX two lane blacktop in the middle of no where. Some how, it was close enough to time that it limped home around 100 miles. The next day it wouldn't start. The valves hit most the pistons and bent pushrods everywhere. It was amazing that it ran to get home.

Right you are!

Mine jumped way off while merely warming up in the driveway. Still bent the valves and pushrods. If only I had checked the lash before running the thing so much. I'd always thought that it was only F*rd that did that plastic tooth nonsense... :o

[tgreese]

Right you are!

Mine jumped way off while merely warming up in the driveway. Still bent the valves and pushrods. If only I had checked the lash before running the thing so much. I'd always thought that it was only F*rd that did that plastic tooth nonsense... :o
Buicks do to - I know the Jeep 225 V6 was famous for stripping nylon teeth off of the timing gear. I expect the 350 uses the same design. Quiet, but deadly!

[chrisnsarah]

Buicks do to - I know the Jeep 225 V6 was famous for stripping nylon teeth off of the timing gear. I expect the 350 uses the same design. Quiet, but deadly!

My 225 had a metal sprocket, but it was stripped too. I caught it in time while replacing a stretched chain, 4 hours before road tripping it to an AJC gathering 200 miles away:) .

[Scoot]

Almost all the domestic makers V8's had nylon cam gears from the sixties on up. I guess the idea was to insulate the cam from crankshaft harmonics. So ya want to not have problems with a '68 rig with the 327? Leave it at home. Roadside repairs are part of the adventure. Leave the hyundai's and the titans for the girly-men. Happy motoring!

[drlocke]

Buicks do to - I know the Jeep 225 V6 was famous for stripping nylon teeth off of the timing gear. I expect the 350 uses the same design. Quiet, but deadly!

Ostensibly quiet. In reality cheap. The all-steel aftermarket gear I have in the chaincase now are as quiet as what was there before. You're right about the "deadly" aspect just the same.

[drlocke]

Almost all the domestic makers V8's had nylon cam gears from the sixties on up. I guess the idea was to insulate the cam from crankshaft harmonics. So ya want to not have problems with a '68 rig with the 327? Leave it at home. Roadside repairs are part of the adventure. Leave the hyundai's and the titans for the girly-men. Happy motoring!

I've had far more roadside repair episodes with my milquetoast Isuzu Trooper than I ever have had with my Waggy. (Knockety-knock-knock on wood) My FSJ has always gotten me home. :thumbsup:

[68_Gladiator]

does anyone know if the timing gear from kanter is all steel or does it have bylon as well? anyone know where i can get a all steel?

[fulsizjeep]

does anyone know if the timing gear from kanter is all steel or does it have bylon as well? anyone know where i can get a all steel?Pretty sure the nylon tooth gears are not available.

[drlocke]

Pretty sure the nylon tooth gears are not available. Thank God! There is hope for this world after all... :D