I need to ask an off-the-wall question here. I have my 327 on the stand and it is partially disassembled. This engine has been in a car already and I am not doing a complete rebuild on it (only has about 200 miles) only changing a few things before I put it in the Camaro. My question is with regard to the residual fluids still residing in the block. I want to flip the engine upside down to remove the oil pan and replace the timing cover and pan gaskets. I am concerned about flipping it with the little bit of coolant and oil remaining inside the block. Is there any potential for problems by doing this? The valve covers, rockers, lifters, pushrods, intake manifold and timing cover are already off the engine and the oil has been drained. Please forgive my ignorance but I'm just looking to be "safe rather than sorry." Wasn't sure if the coolant/oil could get somewhere where it's not supposed to be? Thanks.

 

Did you drain the water jacket by opening up the petcocks or unscrewing the plugs on the side of the block?

 

not sure which ones on the block?

 

When you flip the engine over, do it quickly. Any coolant that's left will come out of the water jackets in the heads, where the intake was attached. It's not going to hurt anything, just let it drain. If you want to, before flipping it over, you could remove the water jacket drain plugs in the block. They're small plugs, one on each side, right above the oil pan rail. Doing that will drain most of the coolant out.

 

Thank you. I wasn't sure if the plugs could be removed or not, sorry if that was a dumb question. I just need to get a couple new gaskets on there. Appreciate it.

 

Those are plumbing plugs (NPT). If you hack em up taking them out, you can get new ones at Home Dopey, or your hardware store of choice.
A blow torch and penetrating oil could be your friend in assisting their removal.

 

Ok, thanks. I'll do that tomorrow. Should I use a thread lock when reinstalling them?