Thread: 396 build?

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I have purchased a 396 #3855961 block, standard bore 2 bolt main. I also have a set of heads I found that are off a 454,120 cc chamber, they were being built for a hi-perf. boat but the guy never picked them up. They have 2.25 intake and 1.94 exhaust valves. Is it feaseable to use these heads on the 396? And if so what compression and cam should I use? This will be in my 69 Camaro, street use pump gas. But want as much torque as possible.

head cc is very big for a 396 you will have to run a big dome to get any CR whats the number on the head casting the intake valve is big for a 369 your will have to make sure the pistons has a big valve notch what rpm do you want your cruising speed at

I will have to check tomorrow for the head casting # Yes the intake valve accually sticks down below the plane on the head. Do not know what cruise speed to consider. I was going to build a 454 to begin with but found this block for $50. I am having a local machine shop build it but want to get as much out of it as I can. Currently have a TH350 but hope to find a M22.

head are to big if you use them your looking at custom pistons i do not think any one still makes a open chamber piston for the 396 and the bore s may have to be open up around the valve cut in the bore for a valve that big need to be check

Would that be oversized valve pockets?[open chamber]

not any 396 had a 120 cc chamber all had small or low cr so then to run let say 10to1 with that head you need custom made piston i think have not look for any but if you find any there more$$ then 454 pistons and if you do you will still need a fly cut for them big valves

I found some Wiseco PTO 39H3 dome top with 2 valve pockets. Will this work or should I find a 454 block and save the 396 for another time? Also will these heads work with no problems on a 454 or will it need special pistons also?

well if you can get the pistons for the 396 with the right cr then that up to you but still need the numbers off the heads heads would work better on a bigger engine then a 454 hard to say with out any casting numbers

I don't have any exp. in this area. I will get the head #s in the am. Then mabey you can make some suggestions. Doest matter to me if I build with these heads or not. I can always use them later

i look at them pistons they are 11to1 or so with a 110 cc head have to run the numbers but you may be much better with a smaller head have to see what you have for heads the 454 or 496 would make good QT if this what you want them heads could be over worked? them are big valves you want to make sure there not hidding any cracks boat heads like to crack across the seats and salt water eat them in side out

I dont believe they were originally boat heads. I bought them from a local machine shop. I have known the guy for a long time, he was building them for a guy with a boat. I do not plan to race the car. Just have a nice street rod. But want plenty of hp & tq

what you engine builder want you to do ? your getting all this stuff put to gether or are you doing it .your machine shop give you any in put ? this is what i do for a living is machine and build big blocks, you may want to ask the guy that sold you the heads what there good for ? but off the top of my head i think you want a 496 you said alot of QT and HP there are trade off but with a bigger engine there are less and can be done with less cr and rpm

I just dropped the stuff off Friday. I am not putting it together. The machine shop I dropped it off to didn't realize the valves were so big in the head, they said they would have to clean the block up and check to see what is available. That is why I got on here to do as much research as I can to see what is available. I have almost nothing in the 396 block,$50. Will I have the same issues with these valves/heads with a 454 or 496? Also can I buy a pre-assembled short block 454 or 496 that will work or will I have to custom build one to work with these heads?

there is may ways to go first is how much do you have to work with for money if trying to do it as a low dollar build if so you could use the 396 block with a 454 crank get you around 427 or so with a set of O port heads or a 496 with your head a hyd roller cam and about 10to1 will do more then you may need you can buy done short blocks or long blocks from builders and me

How much for a done short block in the 496