Projects who know what about a 396

Just make sure it isnt a 366 ... not much you can do with them.

 

Thanks and hope to read more if their are more post. Plan to go get it monday and I will check the numbers to make sure it is not a 366. I'll try to post picture and numbers.

 

Twenty years ago no one wanted a plain old 396. NOW you can stick one in a chevelle and get BIG money for it! I would buy it. peace

 

Make sure the heads and block match. There's a few different combustion chamber sizes for BBC. You need the correct pistons to match the chamber volume of the heads.

 

and a slug of mallory metal...

 

How many slugs? I have two slugs, will it be enough for the 427 TRW 11:1 pistons?

 

I got by with one, same pistons. Rods were polished and beamed and the pads were cut down a bit. Sorry, I cant recall the bob wieght, it was a fair while back.

 

I'll take a 396 and especially a 427 anyday over a 454

 

Should mention, I really liked that motor, would build another one in a heartbeat. It was fairly low-buck, ported closed chamber oval ports, with the chamber mods I covered a long time ago on another 396 thread, small bolt rods, used roller for a 396 Super Stock automatic application(that means BIG), single dominator, and the engine performed REALLY well. I was very happy with it. I've built motors that made more power, but they were a LOT more expensive. $ per HP, it was a really good piece.

 

Gentleman, decades of engine builds not just by myself have shown these engines love a slightly longer rod, even the mild builds. A .200" long rod 6.335", is good to upgrade even on a mild build if you order new pistons anyway.

Don't write off the oval port heads, they make incredible torque on a nice street build, torque starts way down low, lots of timing, and some decent compression #s and a nice solid cam will overpower most HAMB friendly builds. Balanced and blueprinted and they will rev like any small block out there, loads of fun. Even on a very mild build, lose the stamped steel rocker arms, they will be nothing but trouble down the road.

 

Very popular engine. As long as it's not a truck engine as already mentioned-check all you numbers. If it's a 396-325, you'll have more than enough horse power and torque for what you need. And for $400.-you're stealing it. Just make sure it isn't blown up!!! good luck! Bob

 

Oval port head guys, keep your header primary tube size on the smaller side too. You can really kill velocity with too large a primary tube on these oval port heads. TR

 

Exhaust valve diameter and header tube diameter should be about the same...

 

ABSOLUTELY. If theres one thing the BB chevy really needs its a longer rod. When I built a 4" stroke motor, I used a .400 longer rod.

 

i had a 396 in my 58 chevy and it always ran hot. i hear the earlier blocks had that issue