2 or 4 bolt 396 BB Horse power - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

cwilkie · 12-02-2005, 05:36 PM

Anyone know the hp of a 396 block with the casting number 3855961? I checked around and it states on a variety of sites that it's a " 3855961....396.......65-66...2 or 4 bolt " The block is a 4 bolt so can i assume the hp is 375? Or is it the standard 325hp?

Chance

COBRO · 12-02-2005, 05:49 PM

In its first life it would have been the 375hp as they were the only 396 that came with 4 bolt mains. The 325&350hp were all 2 bolts. And in 65 I do belive that there was 425hp 396 that was in the vette - 4 bolt of course.:::::CB

**Classic Heartbeat** · 12-02-2005, 06:40 PM

Acording to Mor-Tec ( http://www.mortec.com/bbc.htm ) that number belongs to a "66" 427 2 bolt main.
The casting number 3855962 is a 396 4 bolt main. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com

JimKshortstep4x4 · 12-02-2005, 08:34 PM

According to my book on Chevy casting numbers the block was used in several applications.

396 65-67 325 hp 2 bolt, full size car

427 66 390, 425 hp, 2 & 4 bolt, Corvette

396 66 325, 360, 375 hp, Chevelle

396 68-69 light duty, truck

A date might be helpful or if the suffix code is still there that would help also.

Jim

409biscayne · 12-02-2005, 08:36 PM

According to my bbc casting nbr guide , 3855961 shows as a 1966-67 325 & 360 hp 2 bolt. As the above poster mentioned 3855962 show as a 1965-66 360/375/425 hp 4 bolt. Is there a stamping nbr on the front pad ? That may be more accurate .

GloryHound · 12-02-2005, 11:30 PM

You'll be hard pressed to find one of these engines that have not been tampered with in some way. If the engine came out of a car that went to a yard early on then it probably got used for racing or stripped early on. If the car was someones yard art, I don't know to many gear heads who wouldn't have stopped by trying to get the whole thing or at least the good parts. As for the ones people pulled early on and stuck in their garage with the hopes of doing something with it in the future, they want some big bucks. The ones that came out of just recently junked vehicles have normally, but not always, gone through at least one rebuild.

cwilkie · 12-05-2005, 04:02 PM

The block has a casting number of 3855961 with a date code of E136--May 13 1966. I hope this helps. Please let me know.

Chance

JimKshortstep4x4 · 12-06-2005, 05:41 AM

Since the bore is for the 396 and not knowing the suffix code information, my guess would be that it is a 66 Chevelle block, either a 360 or 375 hp.

Jim

Livrat · 12-06-2005, 01:44 PM

Assuming it is a factory 4 bolt main.. It would be the 375/425HP version.. or the 425hp 427.. The factory 4 bolt main blocks came with oil cooler provisions.. Right above the oil filter boss you should find two drilled and tapped holes.. one a 1 inch pipe thread and on 5/8" pipe thread.. all of the 2bolt blocks only had 1 hole a 1/2 pipe thread

12-02-2005, 05:36 PM	#1
cwilkie Chance Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Belcourt ,ND, USA Posts: 750	2 or 4 bolt 396 BB Horse power Anyone know the hp of a 396 block with the casting number 3855961? I checked around and it states on a variety of sites that it's a " 3855961....396.......65-66...2 or 4 bolt " The block is a 4 bolt so can i assume the hp is 375? Or is it the standard 325hp? Chance __________________ 1968 Chevrolet Stepside BB 396 w/TH400 1972 Chevrolet 3/4 Ton 4x4 BB 496 w/TH400

12-02-2005, 05:49 PM	#2
COBRO Active Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: RDM,Oregon Posts: 285	Re: 2 or 4 bolt 396 BB Horse power In its first life it would have been the 375hp as they were the only 396 that came with 4 bolt mains. The 325&350hp were all 2 bolts. And in 65 I do belive that there was 425hp 396 that was in the vette - 4 bolt of course.:::::CB

12-02-2005, 06:40 PM	#3
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,768	Re: 2 or 4 bolt 396 BB Horse power Acording to Mor-Tec ( http://www.mortec.com/bbc.htm ) that number belongs to a "66" 427 2 bolt main. The casting number 3855962 is a 396 4 bolt main. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

12-02-2005, 08:34 PM	#4
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Re: 2 or 4 bolt 396 BB Horse power According to my book on Chevy casting numbers the block was used in several applications. 396 65-67 325 hp 2 bolt, full size car 427 66 390, 425 hp, 2 & 4 bolt, Corvette 396 66 325, 360, 375 hp, Chevelle 396 68-69 light duty, truck A date might be helpful or if the suffix code is still there that would help also. Jim

12-02-2005, 08:36 PM	#5
409biscayne Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Spokane , Wash. Posts: 790	Re: 2 or 4 bolt 396 BB Horse power According to my bbc casting nbr guide , 3855961 shows as a 1966-67 325 & 360 hp 2 bolt. As the above poster mentioned 3855962 show as a 1965-66 360/375/425 hp 4 bolt. Is there a stamping nbr on the front pad ? That may be more accurate . __________________ Can-Am Motorsports 37 Chev Coupe 331 4 speed 5.13 posi . ex-gasser . 64 Biscayne 409 2x4 4 speed 4.11 posi 65 Nova Wagon Drag Car 383 t400 (Dragin-Wagon) 68 c10 cst 396 t400 a/c buckets lwb 4.11 posi (SOLD)

12-02-2005, 11:30 PM	#6
GloryHound Working on a Nova. Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: ## Posts: 506	Re: 2 or 4 bolt 396 BB Horse power You'll be hard pressed to find one of these engines that have not been tampered with in some way. If the engine came out of a car that went to a yard early on then it probably got used for racing or stripped early on. If the car was someones yard art, I don't know to many gear heads who wouldn't have stopped by trying to get the whole thing or at least the good parts. As for the ones people pulled early on and stuck in their garage with the hopes of doing something with it in the future, they want some big bucks. The ones that came out of just recently junked vehicles have normally, but not always, gone through at least one rebuild.

12-05-2005, 04:02 PM	#7
cwilkie Chance Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Belcourt ,ND, USA Posts: 750	Re: 2 or 4 bolt 396 BB Horse power The block has a casting number of 3855961 with a date code of E136--May 13 1966. I hope this helps. Please let me know. Chance __________________ 1968 Chevrolet Stepside BB 396 w/TH400 1972 Chevrolet 3/4 Ton 4x4 BB 496 w/TH400

12-06-2005, 05:41 AM	#8
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Re: 2 or 4 bolt 396 BB Horse power Since the bore is for the 396 and not knowing the suffix code information, my guess would be that it is a 66 Chevelle block, either a 360 or 375 hp. Jim

12-06-2005, 01:44 PM	#9
Livrat Member #1049 Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Troy Montana Posts: 3,940	Re: 2 or 4 bolt 396 BB Horse power Assuming it is a factory 4 bolt main.. It would be the 375/425HP version.. or the 425hp 427.. The factory 4 bolt main blocks came with oil cooler provisions.. Right above the oil filter boss you should find two drilled and tapped holes.. one a 1 inch pipe thread and on 5/8" pipe thread.. all of the 2bolt blocks only had 1 hole a 1/2 pipe thread

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