Thread: 396 build

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Guys, my old high school coach has a 396 bbc he said hed give me for a good price. Fill me in on some builds please i cant find anything on searchs. I did see something that said you could make a 427 out of it but im not to sure on that one. He said it came out of a chevelle thats all the info i got for yah at this time.


As for the 283 build i have postponed it for the time being.

Even if you don't intend on putting it in the project, buy it. You won't be sorry. Hang on for a few, a bunch of replies are headed your way. By the way, 402 not 427 which I'm sure he was mistaken. Then again, a crank change out with corresponding combos can produce a cool combo too. Get the thing and if you don't use it, too many buyers out there.

well the very old 396 block could be bored out to 4.250 bore that would be a 427.I would not do it that block is worth much $$ as std bore or .030to.060 . this big of a over bore you could be on thin ice or iron?? it would need to be check out to bore it this big . this stuff is worth so much money i would sell it. use something like a 454 out to a 496

There are ways to build a 396, but there aren't as many options as a 454. There are a few tricks to them. Piston options are narrow these days, KB only makes 1 type. TRW is another that I think makes a couple different ones. None of them make more than 9.5 to 1 compression with new style open chamber heads, and that's with a huge 45cc dome. So if you want to build a stout 396, you are stuck with old 60's closed chamber type heads.

Find out which 396 this is and I could help you out more. Check the numbers on the heads, and post them.

Pat is right, if you want the best bang for your buck, a 454 would be a better idea. A lot of people like 396's though because they rev like a small block. 427's are nice too.

Originally Posted by 69elko

There are ways to build a 396, but there aren't as many options as a 454. There are a few tricks to them. Piston options are narrow these days, KB only makes 1 type. TRW is another that I think makes a couple different ones. None of them make more than 9.5 to 1 compression with new style open chamber heads, and that's with a huge 45cc dome. So if you want to build a stout 396, you are stuck with old 60's closed chamber type heads.

Find out which 396 this is and I could help you out more. Check the numbers on the heads, and post them.

Pat is right, if you want the best bang for your buck, a 454 would be a better idea. A lot of people like 396's though because they rev like a small block. 427's are nice too.

If you can find a 454 block then you could build a 496.
We have run the 496 with a cast steel crank well over 550 hp with no problems.
If you look around some of the cast steel cranks are selling for about $300.
We did a 565 hp 496 with a set of very well ported 781's with 2.19/1.88 valves along with a hyd. roller cam.
We are un-sure of how much abuse these cast steel cranks will take.

A good motor can be made from 396... I think you're thinking 428 which is what you'd get stroking the 396(?) which will take some careful grinding for crank/rod clearance. Piston options are VERY limited for 396-402-408 (.030, .060) and you will need closed chamber mid 60's (96cc) heads to make any compression and your valve lift and valve size is also limited by the small bore.

I have a 402+.030 with JE pistons (20cc dome) and these heads (1965, I forget the cast #) to make 10.2:1 but the closed heads don't breath very good. If this 396 a 1967-1969 can be a very valuable block for restorers... maybe better to sell and get 454 block for your $$$... many more options and much better heads.

Learned the hard way...

- Chris

.030 overbored 396 with a 454 crank will be a 428. Anything can be done. I guess these guys are going to have to decide which way they go.

Originally Posted by nitrowarrior

.030 overbored 396 with a 454 crank will be a 428. Anything can be done. I guess these guys are going to have to decide which way they go.

Yup... I went the other way putting the 396 crank in the 454 block for a 439 (427+)....

many many different combinations to be had...

See what happens when abby normal personalities get ya goin? Anything can happen!

One more thought....Merlin block, accepted a 4.600 bore. We went 4.550 on the bore and dropped a 396 crank in it. High revving fun ride that took abuse forever in a '67 Nova. The math on this thing brought a decent amount of cubes. Like a small block on steroids.

You didn't say what year the engine is, and as far as I know (old and forgetful, and some thirty years ago) there isnt too much diff. in 396/402s. My experience is from the early seventies: I had a '68 SS396 Chevelle that I put an Isky cam(s), Weiand intake, and Holley double ender, and headers on, and ran in the low 12s and high 11s, on street tires and premium gas. They can be built quite well, in my estimation, and I wouldn't pass one up, if it is rebuildable. One of the rod mags (Street Rodder?) did a build on one recently, and got pretty decent numbers out of it, for a mild build.

Originally Posted by nitrowarrior

.030 overbored 396 with a 454 crank will be a 428. Anything can be done. I guess these guys are going to have to decide which way they go.

i am doing a mass right now 402 with a 454GM crank. KB pistons just another way to go

New info: He just had it rebuilt and its ready to go. Got my nephue to ask him how much he said 1200 bucks. What do you guys think

Originally Posted by Seminole_Wind

New info: He just had it rebuilt and its ready to go. Got my nephue to ask him how much he said 1200 bucks. What do you guys think

well that is a deal of a life time if it is a real 396 /375 they sell on e-bay for over 7000. with the right numbers

Yeah i need to run over there tomorrow and get the numbers off of it for sure.