366 Big Block - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

desertchevy · 04-09-2004, 07:32 PM

Is the 366 CI big block chevy worth haveing? This is a tall deck motor comoing out of a 71 C-60. I looked up the numbers and they are the same for the 366 and the 427 tall decks just the bore is different. The only reason that I think that it is a 366 is the build sheet on the glove box door says that it is the motor that was in it originally. They are going to auction it off at work and has gone through 2 auctions already with no bids. I bet that I could get it for under a $100.00. Let me know if any of you have any info on these tall deck motors. Thanks

PanelDeland · 04-09-2004, 07:40 PM

I don't know much about these motors, but I believe they were built with a small bore and designed to be more of a torque motor than HP.I think the C-60 would be a cool rod hauler or dump truck but doubt the motor is going to be much in the performance dept.

stelth2002 · 04-09-2004, 08:17 PM

Can you say 540 .....

I would have the whole thing if i could for a 100 bill

Longhorn Man · 04-09-2004, 10:30 PM

For a c-60, the engine is OK, but you would be way ahead if you found a tall deck 427. The 366 is a farm/ranch motor IMO...Seen WAY too many fall apart with normal use.

WRMZ71 · 04-09-2004, 11:56 PM

Just like longhorn said it is a farm engine. They were mostly used in dump trucks. I"ve heard nothing but negativity coming from people who've had them.

desertchevy · 04-10-2004, 12:00 AM

Could'nt you just bore it out to 4.250 and have the 427? The stoke and internals are the same. I just don't know if it is worth the time since the heads and intake are specific to these engines.I have not seen any performance parts for these either, not saying that there are'nt any. Just a curious thought if it was worth the time or the money. I already have a 402 and 2 454 blocks in the garage. I could not find any factory torque specs but I did find that they made 200 hp at the flywheel which would make it hard for it to get out of its own way.

72bigblock4wd · 04-10-2004, 12:39 AM

I have a friend with a 366 in a 2 1/2 ton truck that went 325K miles before needing a rebuild. I agree that they aren't much in the performance deparment, but with the steel crank and forged rods they are bulletproof motors. I believe the 366's have the same bore as a 307 SBC, but I don't know if the pistons are interchangeable. They will probably have really small ports and valves in the heads. I would tend to say that for $100 it's worth buying, I think that the steel crank can even be used with a standard BBC to make a 427!

1969 GMC · 04-10-2004, 01:21 AM

there are a number of board members running tall deck engines...i can think of one running a 366 and two running 427's...but of course i can't remember their names...so ttt for you.

jku72 · 04-10-2004, 04:47 AM

The tall deck engines can be made into big time powerhouses, and are prefered by those wanting more than 500 cubic inch motors. The pistons are 4 ring jobs that are specific to that engine, no interchange. The block and cylinder walls are thicker on the tall decks, and can be bored a LOT. It would be no problem to bore it to a 427. In fact, if you want to go with a long rod motor, you can stuff a 6.8 rod into these engines, with a stock crank, or if you have even more coin, can stroke it with a new crank. 600 cubic inches is possible with a tall deck.
In order to get performance out of one of these, it takes more money than I care to spend. Big bucks. In my opinion, unless you are building a super gorilla engine, it would be cheaper and easier to find a low deck engine.

desertchevy · 04-10-2004, 10:58 PM

Thanks for the input. I could probably buy another truck for the pricr of a proformance rebuild. thanks

Longhorn Man · 04-12-2004, 12:25 AM

That is acurate, a 502/502 horse, with a 4l80E and everything needed would be cheaper than a mild perfomance rebuild on a tall deck.

04-09-2004, 07:32 PM	#1
desertchevy Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Fairbanks Alaska Posts: 222	366 Big Block Is the 366 CI big block chevy worth haveing? This is a tall deck motor comoing out of a 71 C-60. I looked up the numbers and they are the same for the 366 and the 427 tall decks just the bore is different. The only reason that I think that it is a 366 is the build sheet on the glove box door says that it is the motor that was in it originally. They are going to auction it off at work and has gone through 2 auctions already with no bids. I bet that I could get it for under a $100.00. Let me know if any of you have any info on these tall deck motors. Thanks __________________ 2006 Dodge Quad Cab 4X4 2001 Chevy Impala 2006 Corvette 2009 Fusion 1964 Toyota Landcruiser FJ45 Wagon

04-09-2004, 07:40 PM	#2
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,992	I don't know much about these motors, but I believe they were built with a small bore and designed to be more of a torque motor than HP.I think the C-60 would be a cool rod hauler or dump truck but doubt the motor is going to be much in the performance dept. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

04-09-2004, 08:17 PM	#3
stelth2002 Young Gun wth Fast Inline Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Idaho Posts: 1,475	Can you say 540 ..... I would have the whole thing if i could for a 100 bill __________________ 1967 Chevrolet LWB with built 292! 415 ft. lbs of torque, 4 speed :O with 27% overdrive too, 3.73 Posi. Frame and body done... getting painted!!!

04-10-2004, 12:00 AM	#6
desertchevy Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Fairbanks Alaska Posts: 222	Could'nt you just bore it out to 4.250 and have the 427? The stoke and internals are the same. I just don't know if it is worth the time since the heads and intake are specific to these engines.I have not seen any performance parts for these either, not saying that there are'nt any. Just a curious thought if it was worth the time or the money. I already have a 402 and 2 454 blocks in the garage. I could not find any factory torque specs but I did find that they made 200 hp at the flywheel which would make it hard for it to get out of its own way. __________________ 2006 Dodge Quad Cab 4X4 2001 Chevy Impala 2006 Corvette 2009 Fusion 1964 Toyota Landcruiser FJ45 Wagon

04-10-2004, 01:21 AM	#8
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	there are a number of board members running tall deck engines...i can think of one running a 366 and two running 427's...but of course i can't remember their names...so ttt for you. __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

04-09-2004, 10:30 PM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	For a c-60, the engine is OK, but you would be way ahead if you found a tall deck 427. The 366 is a farm/ranch motor IMO...Seen WAY too many fall apart with normal use.

04-09-2004, 11:56 PM	#5
WRMZ71 Cause the Chicks DIG IT!! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Beaufort SC Posts: 509	Just like longhorn said it is a farm engine. They were mostly used in dump trucks. I"ve heard nothing but negativity coming from people who've had them.

04-10-2004, 12:39 AM	#7
72bigblock4wd Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan Posts: 194	I have a friend with a 366 in a 2 1/2 ton truck that went 325K miles before needing a rebuild. I agree that they aren't much in the performance deparment, but with the steel crank and forged rods they are bulletproof motors. I believe the 366's have the same bore as a 307 SBC, but I don't know if the pistons are interchangeable. They will probably have really small ports and valves in the heads. I would tend to say that for $100 it's worth buying, I think that the steel crank can even be used with a standard BBC to make a 427!

04-10-2004, 04:47 AM	#9
jku72 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: cornville, maine Posts: 659	The tall deck engines can be made into big time powerhouses, and are prefered by those wanting more than 500 cubic inch motors. The pistons are 4 ring jobs that are specific to that engine, no interchange. The block and cylinder walls are thicker on the tall decks, and can be bored a LOT. It would be no problem to bore it to a 427. In fact, if you want to go with a long rod motor, you can stuff a 6.8 rod into these engines, with a stock crank, or if you have even more coin, can stroke it with a new crank. 600 cubic inches is possible with a tall deck. In order to get performance out of one of these, it takes more money than I care to spend. Big bucks. In my opinion, unless you are building a super gorilla engine, it would be cheaper and easier to find a low deck engine. __________________ jku Cornville, Maine 68 C10 burb 42 Willys MB 46 Dodge WF-32 1.5 ton 53 & 56 Olds' 60 Cadillac 22 Dodge Brothers

04-10-2004, 10:58 PM	#10
desertchevy Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Fairbanks Alaska Posts: 222	Thanks for the input. I could probably buy another truck for the pricr of a proformance rebuild. thanks __________________ 2006 Dodge Quad Cab 4X4 2001 Chevy Impala 2006 Corvette 2009 Fusion 1964 Toyota Landcruiser FJ45 Wagon

04-12-2004, 12:25 AM	#11
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	That is acurate, a 502/502 horse, with a 4l80E and everything needed would be cheaper than a mild perfomance rebuild on a tall deck.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.