Factory big block trucks?
 

I have a quick question.My dad bought a 67' or 68' C-10 when I was a kid back in 1973.The truck was six or seven years old so I don't think it had been messed with much.It had a big block 396 with 400 auto.Did they put the 396 in trucks or was this a swap? I later learned to drive in it and started maintaining it. (changing alt,replacing rocker arms and stuff like that)It was the ever popular orange/red with white top CST. I bought a 68' C-20 in the same color 14 years ago that was a painted bumpers no trim truck.Every time I climb in it I am 16 years old again!

Re: Factory big block trucks?
 

The 396 first appeared in trucks in 1968. In 1970 it changed to the 402. Then the 454 in 73+

Re: Factory big block trucks?
 

So it was a 68'. I remember that it had a two barrel carb. I don't remember if it had a carb adapter but I bet it did.

Re: Factory big block trucks?
 

In the passenger cars there was a 396 2bbl offered in 265hp trim. Our 396 was rated at 310hp with a four-barrel.

It's very similar to the 396/325 but with a flat intake and slightly tamer cam.

I'm not aware of any big block 2-barrels in the trucks but I don't know my 68s very well!

Re: Factory big block trucks?
 

I would agree ... all the 396 were four-barrels ...

Re: Factory big block trucks?
 

Agreed - although one might find the term 396 typed on the SPID in 70 model trucks yet factually it was a 402

Re: Factory big block trucks?
 

By the way Barnfind46 ...

:welcome2: to the forums and :hi: from Ohio :metal:

Re: Factory big block trucks?
 

I could swear I remember a black 69 chevy or gmc posted on here before that was a Canadian truck built with a 396 2 bbl

Re: Factory big block trucks?
 

Thanks for the welcome 70cst. Dad's 68' had chrome reverse wheels with moon hubcaps and raised letter tires. It had a camper shell with smoked bubble windows. You gotta love the 70's.

Re: Factory big block trucks?
 

I do I do luv the 70's :metal:

Re: Factory big block trucks?
 

That's possible - I just can't ever recall seeing a 2bbl 396.
Maybe we can get some other inputs :metal:

Re: Factory big block trucks?
 

The only reason I remember is it was so odd to me. Might Ave to do some digging in big block threads or black truck threads

Re: Factory big block trucks?
 

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=403113

Here is the thread on 396 2 bbl pickups I was referring to

Re: Factory big block trucks?
 

In 68 Chevy offered as optional V-8s both the L66 396 2bbl and the L47 396 4bbl engines rated 275 hp @4400 RPM gross and 310 hp @4800 RPM gross respectively in pickups. Here is a 68 Longhorn 20's.

Re: Factory big block trucks?
 

subscribed...

Re: Factory big block trucks?
 

Thanks - in my old age I learned something new

Re: Factory big block trucks?
 

Thanks Tim ... its amazing there always something new to learn about these trucks

Re: Factory big block trucks?
 

My 68 C20 with a factory 396 was an L66. Previous owner swapped it over to a 4 barrel.

Re: Factory big block trucks?
 

I'm surprised there's such a horsepower difference (265 vs 310/325). If you look at the base 350 in 1969, it was rated at 250hp with a 2bbl or 255hp with a 4bbl, but for some reason the 396 jumps almost 50hp?

In other forums online they state the cam is the same between the 265 and the 325, but pretty weird that you'd get 60hp from a 4-bbl. Maybe the 2bbl truly taps out on a 350 and just isn't big enough for the 396? Odd.

Re: Factory big block trucks?
 

Ok, I just googled 1968 L66 and found this BC licence plate on eBay.

http://thumbs.ebaystatic.com/d/l140/..._AOXenIzJg.jpg

I had to buy it......

Re: Factory big block trucks?
 

My guess is you are seeing the limits of 350 cfm on a 400 cubic inch motor. The 2 bbl engine is just out of fuel at a much lower rpm than the 4 bbl motor. And based on GM's ratings, to the tune of 50 hp.

Re: Factory big block trucks?
 

I've seen plenty of big blocks with 2 barrel carbs, I worked for a Chevy dealer on and off from 1970-1972. I'd suspect that the cam would be different between the two barrel and 4 barrel, but have no proof. I've even seen 421 Pontiacs with a 2 barrel. Our body shop manager had a '68 Star Chief that got 20 MPG on the open road with that setup. Beasts like that had tons of torque, and even the big cars had tall axles.

Re: Factory big block trucks?
 

That's Ontario not BC. How dare you degrade our BC name haha

Re: Factory big block trucks?
 

Not sure how that happened..... I noticed later and the edit button seems to be missing.

Re: Factory big block trucks?
 

That was my guess as well. The 350 just squeaks by with the 2bbl, but the 396 taps it out.

I bet that's some seriously crisp throttle response though!