396 big block

[1999corvette]

Guys, I put in what I thought was a 454 and Th400 from a 1974 truck back in 2004.

After getting it in, I found out the engine is a 1968 Chevy truck 396, and the heads are peanut port 427, hopefully that did not make it have a real low compression ratio.

Anyways, I got the setup cheap, the whole running 1974 truck was $160.00 because I worked at the tow company that brought it in(it was a DUI hold for 30 days, and most old cars are not picked up, and sold to Pick N Pull) in California, also used the spindles for my disc brake swap, and the power steering setup.

Have you ever found once you get something, it's not that great to you anymore?

I've been wanting to swap in a LQ4 6.0 engine from a newer truck with a 4l60-E trans, have read when you send the computer off for a tune, the stock 6.0 set to run with premium fuel and the timing bumped up can get near 400 hp, and is injected and runs very smooth!

But, maybe I should play with the 396 first, just now put on a Edelbrock Performer RPM Quadrajet carb, 850 cfm, have a small block HEI as the truck HEI was having issues.

Have not driven it yet with the Q-jet, truck has been sitting for 5 years.

Thought of buying a MSD Street Fire HEI, it has 21 degrees of advance, and I've never played with the weights on the HEI.

Maybe that MSD HEI would wake up the 396, after putting it in the truck, I was never really impressed with the power, but at the time I was running a 600 CFM Carter AFB carb, and that stock HEI might not have a lot of advance.

It might have a performance cam, but I'm not sure, has a little lope to it.

Do you think a 396 is cool in a beat up, rusty, 1965 short fleetside truck?

[raycow]

I think any BB is cool, especially in a truck it wasn't available in from the factory. You will probably get more power out of the 6.0, but it won't grab as many eyeballs.

Ray

[68gmac]

There nothing like that big block sound

[1Bad62Pro/Street]

396 Big Block Build - Classic Trucks Magazine:

http://www.classictrucks.com/tech/06...ild/index.html

['63GENIII]

I like my 396. It runs great and it does have that sound. Not as powerful as the LQ9 in our Denali, but twice as cool looking! Looks almost stock too.

[Captainfab]

Yes the LSx engines are nice, but before you make any hasty decisions, I would suggest playing with the 396 some first. First get the timing set with full advance (there is a sticky in the Engine and Drivetrain section). Then move on to the carb. The 850cfm is a bit much for a 396 so it might require some tuning to get it dialed in correctly. Try that and see if it makes a difference. It usually helps to have the timing and carb tuned for max performance.