1969 396 engine

[Jcfcamaro]

Can anyone tell me what the head casting number should be and also the valve size/ CC size. This engine is in a 69 gmc custom. It has A/C, power steering, bucket seats(gone though ). The spid shows the engine which I believe is the factory engine. I bought it a couple of weeks ago and he bought it from the 2nd owner in 76. It's been sitting since 76 and he never changed the title over either. Trying to get that straightened out with the wife as he has passed away. Trying to decide if I should build it for my 72 k10 .

[randy500]

Compression ratio is a little higher in 69 due to closed chamber heads.
Look at the code on the passenger side head to see if its original to the truck.

[Jcfcamaro]

I will tomorrow.

[ho70]

OK, BBC heads that a 69 truck could have according to my bbc rebuild book:
3856206-96.4cc
3856213-?cc
3856260-?cc
3965198-?cc
If you get a number-I can reference the valve size

[Jcfcamaro]

Ok great.

[Already Gone]

I know where there is a 1969 Longhorn, 400 miles away, with the original 396 in it. A pole fell on the roof and crushed it down so its a parts truck. Its been sitting outside for 20 years and the seller isn't interested in checking to se if the engine is stuck. I keep thinking it would be nice to get that engine and maybe one day have it redone and drop it in my Highlander.

[ho70]

Originally Posted by Already Gone

I know where there is a 1969 Longhorn, 400 miles away, with the original 396 in it. A pole fell on the roof and crushed it down so its a parts truck. Its been sitting outside for 20 years and the seller isn't interested in checking to se if the engine is stuck. I keep thinking it would be nice to get that engine and maybe one day have it redone and drop it in my Highlander.

Or my 68 swb

[Jcfcamaro]

Front engine pad is T1220YP
Intake is L 10 8
I can't even get to the block casting number

[Already Gone]

Originally Posted by ho70

Or my 68 swb

That would be 900 miles from you Chris.

[randy500]

Application is 69 C-10 or C-20, 396, 310hp, with Turbo Hydramatic trans.

[Jcfcamaro]

Thanks,

[crabman]

Forgive my ignorance, but the 69 396 rated at 310HP does that motor have the oval port heads? Or peanut oval port heads?

[ho70]

my 72 had oval port with small chambers. I am no way an expert, but I thought peanut port heads came in the mid 70's

[clay68c10]

All that 68-72 BBC stuff in trucks is oval port. The peanut ports came out later.

[Jcfcamaro]

I'm seriously thinking about building it mild and bolting a 700r4 behind it for my k10. I was already planning on a 700r4 so I would already be moving the engine forward . I'm not keeping my truck original and that Big Block would have lots of torq for my 35in tires.

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by Jcfcamaro

I'm seriously thinking about building it mild and bolting a 700r4 behind it for my k10. I was already planning on a 700r4 so I would already be moving the engine forward . I'm not keeping my truck original and that Big Block would have lots of torq for my 35in tires.

Mild big block+700r4+35’s= bad idea. That 700r even built up probably won’t last too long, especially with stock gears and 35’s. Re gearing the axles will help but even then I wouldn’t run it. They just aren’t strong enough and they are somewhat pricey to build up. I’ve got one in my 3100 with a 350 in it and 35s on stock gears and the last one went 20,000 Miles with the TV installed and set correctly. Its beefed up a bit but not as much as it could be. I’m waiting a little while till I can afford something else for my wife to drive so I can rob the 8.1/4l85 out of our suburban so i don’t have to run the 700 any more. For a stock small block truck the 700 isn’t a terrible choice but for anything else there’s better. Just my .02

[Jcfcamaro]

I heard a lot of pros and cons about the 700r4. They made them for a long time with a lot of them being good. I've had Turbo 350s go bad also. I think with 373 or 411 gears I'll be good. These new 700r4 trans are being built with a lot of newer updated parts. I just want a overdrive really bad. They change a vehicle's performance and drivivbility .