Can I use a 23 pan ( 3 dip ) with a 27 engine and transmission?
Yes.
I put the pan on and it. Seems to be touching the brake band!
Wide bands need the 4 dip 26/27 Pan with the bulge
The wider brake drum will fit into a 3-dip pan, but the wide band won't. You'll need to use a narrow brake band and pre-'26 hogshead with it.
That's what I was thinking. I've seen it done. Just couldn't remember about the narrow brake band.
There are 4 dip pans that will not work on 26-27 engines.
If that is the case, it was made for a 1925.