27 lbs torque to turn over new motor

Your just using a torque wrench? It's not the "right way" to measure it. You need a rotating torque wrench... That being said, if you have it all together and a normal lip type rear main I'd think it's a little tight. It would be closer to what I'd expect with a rope rear main seal tho. What were the oil clearances? What was the thrust measured at? What were the ring gaps measured at?