I'm gettin a 396

[Mr_Superman]

I'll be getting a complete 396 with a powerglide tranny, I plan on rebuilding it, gwtting the tranny rebuilt and then puttin a blower on it. It all runs and works fine now but I want lotsa power, Anbyway its a big block 396, am I gonna have fitment issues? My truck is a 68 chevy

[Tx Firefighter]

You could get a 396 stock in a 68 Chevy truck so the factory did the engineering for you already. Just round up the proper big block brackets and mounts and you should be good to go.

You might think about using a Turbo 400 transmission though. A built big block is a powerful thing. The Powerglide CAN be made very strong, bulletproof even, but they're really not that much fun to drive around. A three speed auto is much nicer (Powerglide is a 2 speed transmission)

[special70gmc]

i agree with txfirefighter the powerglides are kind of a pain if your used to a three speed already you gonna hate the powerglide, deffinatly opt for a th400 you will be happy you did. -kyle

[Putter]

If you decide to keep the powerglide........And if you need a STEERING COLUMN for that powerglide, I happen to know that G-Man69 has one and is about to replace his with a new 3-speed tilt and might be willing to part with it. (He has complained on more than one occasion that he has to hold his shifter in low because he runs a 'powerglide' column and he installed a th400.) But that will be changes in the next week or two.

[Mr_Superman]

So I wont have any fitment issues? Thats great. I was thinkin that I want it as a stick but I'll probably stick with an auto. I'll look into gettin the turbo 400, are the bellhousings on those universal? Thanks guys I'm gonna be needing lots of help, I'm totally new to these trucks. Anyone wanna buy an original 6 cylinder? Runs...I have two they both run :-)

[Putter]

CHEVYE mentioned that his friend (his name escapes me) is looking for one. I guess it depends on where you are located.

[Tx Firefighter]

Mr Superman.

There are two bolt patterns used on Turbo 400 transmissions. The BOP (Buick, Olds, Pontiac, Cadillac) and the Chevy pattern. Just make sure it's the Chevy pattern and you'll be good to go.

Post your location. I'm always interested in a running 6 cylinder engine. You can go to your "user cp" page and put your location in there and it will appear by your name in your posts, like mine does.

[Mr_Superman]

Until I fix my location on my user CP I'm in Kentucky. About the turbo 400, would I need to get it built pretty well or is the tranny strong in itself?

[Tx Firefighter]

The turbo 400 is GM's strongest auto transmission. A stock 396 will work fine with a stock 400. If you get crazy with a supercharger or nitrous, you may want to consult a tranny man about beefing up your trans.

Be warned though, most 396 engines aren't real impressive. Sure, the big Chevelle and Vette engines were animals, but run of the mill station wagon or truck type engines were not too powerful. You'd need to do some real research and build one of them up considerably to really be a monster.

[Mr_Superman]

This is out of a chevelle...I will be building it all forged and puttin a blower on it. :-D

[arkracing]

A 396 is fairly easy to get good power out of. 10:1 compression. A set of heads that have been bowl blended/mild port/3 angle, 274cam, dual plane aluminum intake, 750 and headers should make close to or more than 400horse @ the crank

Agreed that most stationwagon and truck motors were mild and mainly just to haul heavy crap...keep in mind most only had 2.06/1.72 Valves in them and small carbs...565CFM or so. but i think the 396 is one of Chevy's best motors ever built.

my 396 is all forged lower end - N.O.S. Crank, EagleRods, TRW 10:58:1 Forged Pistons, *Truck Oval Port Heads* that have been worked over with the 3-angle, Bowl Blend, Mild Port, Stainless Ferrea Valves 2.19/1.88, bronze Guides and all that good crap, a CompXtremeEnergy 268 Cam .515/.520 Gross Lift (Pretty Mild-for a bigblock). Corvette Tri-power Intake, and 3 Rochester Dueces(total CFM = 825), "Lakester headers"
Shop said I should be making around 400Horse/Torque @ the flywheel

with a blower you'll need much lower compression somewhere in the 7-8.5 range depending on how much boost you plan on running.

[RON WOODGEARD]

iF YOU'RE positive YOU'RE GOING TO RUN A bLOWER, do not GO MORE THEN 8:1 OR 8.5:1 Compression. The Blower itself will build the compression from there, and if you start with too much static compression you'll blow the Heck out of that engine.....I ran a 671 on the street for a little over a year,,, It's absolutely a kick in the pants, and an amazing Head Jerker,,, But hang on to your wallet....And yes you will need a Built tranny to hold up to it, along with a tough rear end.

[Robert1970C20rstbukt]

If you do a lot of drag racing a powerglide will work good, if just for every day driving go with a TH350 or a TH400.

[Mr_Superman]

So which would be better? A TH350 or a TH400? I know nothin about trannys. My plan is building a low compression 396 and putting a blower on it. Streetable power, not driving it all the time. Wil be drove more of a weekend cruiser.

[Robert1970C20rstbukt]

A TH400 is a heavy duty transmission compared to the TH350.