Hey all, I'm a newbie to the board but really enjoy looking around. I am in the process of purchasing a 1968 Camaro. My Father in law bought it to build for his wife but he has too many projects going on so he's selling it to me. It has over 7K worth of receipts for parts and all the sheet metal has been replaced except the roof. It's sweet.

Anyway I have a 396 that I have had about 10 years that I was going to put into a street rod that never came to fruition. It has a metal stamp on it from a machine shop where it looks like some work was done to it. "Cylinders 040 Rod 010 Main 020." I am assuming that that is what was ground out for each of those areas?

I have the following to go with it
heads - 38772702 (1966 - oval port closed chamber)
Intake - 3931067 (1969)
Block - 3855931 (1966 - 2 bolt)
I have the crank but it has no identifying markings from what I can see. I have the cam but will most likely get a new one.
I have the pistons and rods and they are stamped on top 040 so I assume they fit the block and I don't know what kind they are.

My question is this. I have done a lot of searching on the best way to build this and get polarizing views. Some people say don't do it and some poeple say it can be a good engine. I am building an SS 396 so I would like to use it. I would also like it very streetable but strong. It will never touch a strip but I want it to be a little intimidating both in power and sound. I would like to have about 400 hp if it's not crazy $$. I plan on running a Tremec 5 speed behind it and long tube headers for the exhaust. Any assistance is greatly appreciated. Oh and if anyone knows of a trustworthy machine shop/engine builder in Dallas/Fort Worth they can recommend that would help too. Thanx guys.

- Butch

 

not sure what those heads flow from the factory which is a major factor, but from looking into it a little bit they should work with some machine work. Get them ported and maybe have the valve seats cut for larger valves. Then get a good cam, lifters, and roller rockers a good intake manifold and carb. Comp cams is very helpful with selecting a good cam or cam and valve-train kit for your motor/ goals. This motor could easily be built streetable with well over 400hp. Depending on the cam intake an carb you choose you could hit up to 450-500 with a mild streetable cam and the heads machined to accept larger valves.

Your carb, intake and cam (along with the rest of the valvetrain) will determine how much exactly. Remember 450hp at the crank is about 400ish at the wheels through a manual trans.

 

Thanx for the response. Everything helps. Also Bruce I received you message and tried to respond but it would not allow me to for some reason. I would like to speak with you more. Thanx for the assistance.

-Butch

 

Butch,

I got a friend in your area that may be able to help you with your engine build.

When you get a chance, send me a message at broland@thermalsolutions.com and I'll give you his info.

Bruce