Hot Rods Does anyone build 396's anymore?

For $400, I think you can bring it home and see what it has in it, possibly run it with the pcs it comes with. I have one that was the first engine I ever bought, put it in my 37 GMC so I have a bit of a thing for them. When I got my 71 Monte Carlo I built a 468 for it because I couldn't keep the 350 in it and got a 454 cheap. If I had found a 396 or 427 it would have went in it as well. I do have a 496 in the works for the 37.
For me, I would have a hard time spending alot of money or machine work on the 396, if you are going to do that, then I would start with more inches. If you can keep from tossing a ton of money at the motor, then I think it would be a great one for the truck. Worst case you get it running and then put it in something else when you decide you want to go bigger.

 

Why yes it was. I thought long and hard and after 3 months, I stopped by and struck the deal. He was really hung up on the Durant body being so rare I let him have it! I think I got a better deal.
Thanks cavman!

 

In 69' I bought a new 69' El Camino SS 325 - 396 with a posi, boy did the car do great burnouts
Had it 11 yrs put 100 thou on it and it never missed a lick , great car in bright yellow too
Put a set of dished Ansen wheels and twice pipes and that is all it needed to be a cool car

G Don

 

I know this is a little off topic for the thread but I have always thought that they were a good lookin engine. I run small blocks because I do but its just a damned shame that they never made a small block that just looked like a scaled down 396.

 

Here is my 396 and frankly a bigger motor won't do me any good cause I'll never hook up anyway on the street!!! I used to race a '66 Chevelle SS 396 with the 375hp but in brkt 1 trim it put out 550 hp basically stock with good heads and a Isky cam and single plane intake and Holley. The smaller 396/402/427 internal blaanced BBC rev pretty nice and I have a ball with them....so if size matters, tell everyone its a 572...who will know??

 

I'm in the camp of "go for it"... I love the early motors (reason I run a 327 in my chev) and the 396 is iconic... build it to rev, and sound good, and you will get alot of oooo's and ahhhh's just for running the 396.... definite cool factor...
Tom

 

I think I may buy it, just to have. I may build something totally different than originally planned. I may build a 396 powered altered for the street. Maybe a little 27T or some sort of Bantam.

 

Chris, I got a 396/375hp with a high lift cam in '68 Chevelle and I love it, they rev like a small block and have plenty of torque, my Chevelle will roast the 295/15 tires for 100 ft when you stand on it. Unfortunately my 396 is apart right now with collapsed lifter. I would jump on it for $400.

 

It's not going anywhere. I guess I need to squat or get off the pot.....

 

Like the 383 Mopar the 396 is a great motor with potential but is usually used in restorations.

 

I do....just picked up a standard bore 68 396 this weekend for $300.

 

Gotcha, but I'm with the poster who would have a hard time spending a bunch on that 396.
I think the 396 b&s is close to that of a 400 Pontiac.
I know the extra stroke in a 455 Pontiac makes the torque feel noticeably different from idle, right on up to about 5 grand.
If I were trying to build something with less rear gear for drivability,
I 'd go with a 454.
On the other hand , if you want a high revving solid lifter big block,
then do the 396. Sounds like fun!

 

I'm currently going through a 375 / 396 for my 67 Chevy II post. L88 cam & aluminum GM heads 700r4. The 396 will have all the HP I need to have a good time.

 

'65 Vette OE Built 396/425: