Hey guys I recently picked up a 396 for my 67 (4 speed car) and I'm hoping someone could give me some insight on it as far as what I should expect power wise and what the compression ratio may be? I've done as much research on it as I can but I'm fairly new when it comes to this kind of stuff and it appears the cam and pistons in it are no longer produced which is giving me a tough time. For starters the casting # on the block is 3855961 which I believe indicated a 65-66 Chevelle block? (am aware of the grooved rear cam bearing) the block has been decked and there is nothing left to be read on the stamping pad. The pistons have L2383 .030 written on them. my research leads me to believe these are TRW Forged .30 over 402 pistons meaning the block would be bored .60 over? The cam is a crane cam-Fireball 300C. I was able to find specs on this and they are as follows: advertised duration=300 degree intake, 310 degree exhaust. Cam lobe lift is .309" intake, .325" exhaust with a gross lift of .525" intake, .553" exhaust, with standard rockers. The heads are casting # 3872702 which I believe are 98cc heads. I have an edelbrock torquer-R intake I was planning to put on it as well as a 750 demon carb. I wish I had more information on the motor but I know it was completely gone through over 10 years ago but the guy who built it is no longer around. Thanks in advance.

 

.30 over 396 is a 402 but if it's a .60 over not a lot of difference the compression ratio is what makes the difference,cam is not radical but should have a little lope to it.
It should easily be in the 400 bhp range if not a bit more but the real beauty is the enormous torque curve it should have.