hello!!!

iīm new on the group, my name is Giorgio, i live in Brazil.
I have a SS 66 chevelle 396. i buy the engine disasembled, the engine block still standard, itīs a 325HP 1969, all i have is new original heathers (oval port), iron manifold, knuckle or connecting roads, crankshaft, i want more HP but just a litlle for kicks some asses on the streets! maybe use a little nitro too.
what u guys sugest to do with my engine?
what part iīll have to buy, camshaft? carb? any tips!!
thanks!

Giorgio,

Welcome.

First question, I assume you are going to rebuild this motor in the process? If so, just do a good rebuild but put it back together with forged pistons. Have the rods reconditioned and make sure to have good rod bolts installed (ARP). The stock bottum end of the motor is good for 500HP if it's rebuilt correctly. The '66 heads are small chambers but decent size valves, I would just have these rebuilt or if already done, use them as is but install the right springs for the cam that you pick.

A stock 396/325HP motor has about 10.25/1 compression and can use a major upgrade in camshaft. You just need to decide what RPM range you want to run it and go from there. A cam with duration of about 280 - 290 and say .530 - .550 lift along with an intake manifold change and some headers is worth about 100HP on a stock 396 motor. You plenty to think about.

Note: make sure of the year engine you have. '66 blocks need to have a groove cut in the rear cam journal. You will need to specify this when you order the cam.

Exhaust Headers, Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake Manifold, Edelbrock or Holley Carb, Performance Camshaft.Since the engine is a 1969 you won't have to worry about some of the items above.

Saw that on the '69 block, but on those old blocks I always get the casting number and the casting date for verification. About 1-1/2 years ago a friend of mine put cam in his '68 (non-matching numbers but block had been decked in the rebuild so stampingd wer missing). The motor only had about 100 miles or less when he got it. Cam had 2 wiped lobes. Not thinking anything more - installed a new cam. Wiped out 4 lobes in next 100 miles and took the main and rod bearings with it. When the motor was finally pulled it hit him like a brick - this was a '66 block. Simple moral - don't make any assumptions regarding the year - check and recheck.

Originally posted by GRN69CHV:
Giorgio,

Welcome.

First question, I assume you are going to rebuild this motor in the process? If so, just do a good rebuild but put it back together with forged pistons. Have the rods reconditioned and make sure to have good rod bolts installed (ARP). The stock bottum end of the motor is good for 500HP if it's rebuilt correctly. The '66 heads are small chambers but decent size valves, I would just have these rebuilt or if already done, use them as is but install the right springs for the cam that you pick.

A stock 396/325HP motor has about 10.25/1 compression and can use a major upgrade in camshaft. You just need to decide what RPM range you want to run it and go from there. A cam with duration of about 280 - 290 and say .530 - .550 lift along with an intake manifold change and some headers is worth about 100HP on a stock 396 motor. You plenty to think about.

Note: make sure of the year engine you have. '66 blocks need to have a groove cut in the rear cam journal. You will need to specify this when you order the cam. hello!
thanks!

well, iīll rebuilt the engine. and iīll take care with the guy who will made the job!
iīll buy forged pistons too, what made is better? i saw a rebuilt kit at summit catalog, and i liked..
the engine block itīs a 69!
here are the numbers!
* 431397
* T0220JK
* 191310375
* 3955272 block

what u think about RPM for streets and race? 7.000?? ~ 8.000??? hehehehehe
about the cam.. what made is good? crane cams?

thanks for your help guys!

Originally posted by Bob Tiley:
Exhaust Headers, Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake Manifold, Edelbrock or Holley Carb, Performance Camshaft.Since the engine is a 1969 you won't have to worry about some of the items above. any idea about what kind of manifold i should use??? something for street and race..

Originally posted by GRN69CHV:
Saw that on the '69 block, but on those old blocks I always get the casting number and the casting date for verification. About 1-1/2 years ago a friend of mine put cam in his '68 (non-matching numbers but block had been decked in the rebuild so stampingd wer missing). The motor only had about 100 miles or less when he got it. Cam had 2 wiped lobes. Not thinking anything more - installed a new cam. Wiped out 4 lobes in next 100 miles and took the main and rod bearings with it. When the motor was finally pulled it hit him like a brick - this was a '66 block. Simple moral - don't make any assumptions regarding the year - check and recheck. ok... sure itīs better take a look!
my numbers are:
* 431397
* T0220JK
* 191310375
* 3955272

I would recomment the Edelbrock Performer RPM manifold for what you are going to do with it. If not go with the Victor Jr. or something like that for a single plane.

Daniel

This is a good site for casting numbers:

http://www.mortec.com

They list the 3955272 as a 1969 396 so looks like you're good.

For a fun street machine I'd do this:

Edelbrock RPM intake
Holley 750 Carburetor
Headers with 1 3/4" primaries
Dual 2.5" exhaust.
Mild port job on the heads (just clean them up a bit).
Hydraulic flat tappet cam, about 215 to 220 degrees duration @050 for the intake, 10 dgr more on exhaust. The new voodoo cams from Lunati look good.

Good luck,
Markus

7000 or 8000 RPM? I don't think you will have to try to do that. A 396 motor can be put together to spin to 7000, but not one using a 396/325HP crank and rods. I think 6000RPM will be plenty. Just do a good quality rebuild and install either a hydraulic or solid lifter flat tappet cam. Something like a Crane 286 Powermax works well in a 396. Or you could get something from Lunati, Isky, Comp or Crower - to name a few. You can search until you get tired of reading.

Try these link:

www.cranecams.com (http://www.cranecams.com)
www.compcams.com (http://www.compcams.com)
www.iskycams.com (http://www.iskycams.com)
www.crower.com (http://www.crower.com)
www.holley.com (http://www.holley.com) (lunati)

Good Luck.

Originally posted by zwede:
This is a good site for casting numbers:

http://www.mortec.com

They list the 3955272 as a 1969 396 so looks like you're good.

For a fun street machine I'd do this:

Edelbrock RPM intake
Holley 750 Carburetor
Headers with 1 3/4" primaries
Dual 2.5" exhaust.
Mild port job on the heads (just clean them up a bit).
Hydraulic flat tappet cam, about 215 to 220 degrees duration @050 for the intake, 10 dgr more on exhaust. The new voodoo cams from Lunati look good.

Good luck,
Markus ok guys!!!
thanks a lot for the info about 396...
iīll save some money now to buy the parts..
fist of all, forged pistons!!!! i saw on summit catalog a rebuild kit for U$ 559.95 - 10.58:1 - 109.4cc :)
i think solid cam itīs better than hidraulic, isnīt?

Originally posted by GRN69CHV:
7000 or 8000 RPM? I don't think you will have to try to do that. A 396 motor can be put together to spin to 7000, but not one using a 396/325HP crank and rods. I think 6000RPM will be plenty. Just do a good quality rebuild and install either a hydraulic or solid lifter flat tappet cam. Something like a Crane 286 Powermax works well in a 396. Or you could get something from Lunati, Isky, Comp or Crower - to name a few. You can search until you get tired of reading.

Try these link:

www.cranecams.com (http://www.cranecams.com)
www.compcams.com (http://www.compcams.com)
www.iskycams.com (http://www.iskycams.com)
www.crower.com (http://www.crower.com)
www.holley.com (http://www.holley.com) (lunati)

Good Luck. ok!
6.000 rpm itīs something! i saw a dodge of a friend of mine a 318 engine make 7.200 RPMīs cause itīs a SB. on BB they have more power so that is the reason to produce minus rpmīs???
there is much tork on BB, right?
what about a MSD?? what kind?? 6AL?

With the BB, there are many reasons why you only need to go to 6000rpm.

The BB will make TONS more torque than the little 318.

The BB has much better heads, will make more power easier.

The crank/rods/pistons are much heavier in a stock BB, so there's a little more danger in spinning the heavy parts really fast.

And lastly, you don't need to spin a BB up that high because it will make tons of power sooner compared to the small 318 dodge. So why spin it higher than needed? Making the most horsepower/torque at lower rpms is what the BBC is all about.

The lower the RPM, the longer it will last too.

As for Ignition, some of the BBC guys here with mild motors like the HEI for its simplicity. I know Mr 4 Speed recommends the Summit HEI distributor.

Originally posted by Slowpoke70:
With the BB, there are many reasons why you only need to go to 6000rpm.

The BB will make TONS more torque than the little 318.

The BB has much better heads, will make more power easier.

The crank/rods/pistons are much heavier in a stock BB, so there's a little more danger in spinning the heavy parts really fast.

And lastly, you don't need to spin a BB up that high because it will make tons of power sooner compared to the small 318 dodge. So why spin it higher than needed? Making the most horsepower/torque at lower rpms is what the BBC is all about.

The lower the RPM, the longer it will last too.

As for Ignition, some of the BBC guys here with mild motors like the HEI for its simplicity. I know Mr 4 Speed recommends the Summit HEI distributor. hehehehehe!!!
BBC Rulzzzzzzzz!
ok, will tolk with the edelbrock guys to buy the correct manifold to may 396, for my propouses..
about the ignition, iīll think about the HEI, by the way, where can i found more information about ignitions??

Ok, screw the engine for a sec..... What are Brazilian girls like! sorry... women. What are Brazilian women like!

:D :D :D !!!!!!!

EDDY.

Originally posted by TJC:
Ok, screw the engine for a sec..... What are Brazilian girls like! sorry... women. What are Brazilian women like! hehehehehehehehe....
very beautiful...
but i thik the north american girl more "easy".
i lived in gaylord, MI for 6 months.. and meet some hot chicks there hehehe, pretty cool. and meet some fat grils too, (fat grils always have hot girl friends, be nice with fat girls!! hehehehe)
here u have to tolk a lot to do somethings.. but there was realy easy!!! hehehehe
i miss that good time!!!

I was in Paramaribo, Suriname one time and there came some excitement in the Teraico(Sp?) Hotel I was staying in and so my Salesman Buddy that was "baby-setting" me b/c it was my first time out of the U.S. asked what was going on??

An older man said, you two are from America and do not know that Brazilian Ladies are the prettiest in the World and one has checked into the Hotel AND everybody wants to get a look at her!!

AND, yes, she was beautiful like our American Star "Charo"!! Charo is from Brazil...

Bttt, please consider a good old Comp Cams 282S solid lifter cam! It should do your 396 just FINE, imho!!

I have one in my 496 BB.. Use is 2000 to 6000 rpm AND gobs of street driving range POWER!! IMHO...

pdq67

How much is gas in Brazil? :D

Saw that on the '69 block, but on those old blocks I always get the casting number and the casting date for verification. About 1-1/2 years ago a friend of mine put cam in his '68 (non-matching numbers but block had been decked in the rebuild so stampingd wer missing). The motor only had about 100 miles or less when he got it. Cam had 2 wiped lobes. Not thinking anything more - installed a new cam. Wiped out 4 lobes in next 100 miles and took the main and rod bearings with it. When the motor was finally pulled it hit him like a brick - this was a '66 block. Simple moral - don't make any assumptions regarding the year - check and recheck. If the motor is an early model it will not have a spin on, one piece oil filter. Even the '67 models have the canister type, full flow, oil filter inside a housing which makes changing oil very messy. If a late model block it will have the easier one piece filter. The '65 and '66 blocks also have the grooved rear cam journal while later cams don't. All the big blocks are prone to flattening the cam lobes on the factory cams but it generally takes a while.