RE: [Chevelle-list] 396 help - cam choice?

[Matthew Post]

Thanks John.  You led me right into my next question....what to do with 
it?  I think I'm going to rebuild it as is.  Hopefully, reusing the same 
pistons and just hone and re-ring them.  Maybe pocket port the heads.  But 
what kind of cam?  Solid, hydraulic-roller, or solid-roller?  I've talked 
to 3 engine rebuilders that came recommended to me and they all had 
different opinions.  One said solid-roller would need new lifters every 
10,000 miles if street driven and that a hydraulic-roller doesn't benefit 
enough to spend the extra $$$.  Another said hydraulic-roller makes the 
same power as solid, but is more reliable.

I've read lots of stuff on the Chevelle Tech website, but it seems everyone 
has a different opinion.  What do you guys run and what's your experience?

Oh yeah, this will be street driven almost entirely.  I would like to make 
450-500hp.  (Is that even possible with a 396?)  The transmission will be a 
5 speed and I haven't picked a rearend gear yet.

Thanks!
Matt
At 08:31 PM 1/15/2004 -0500, you wrote:
i pretty sure that the block cast# and the cast# on the heads are the 
one's used to identify codes
all that other stuff like gm2 pass is just to let you know that was for 
car with reg deck which is what you want.. one of those are the date 
code  # are the actually date of casting i think those one's are located 
very close to cast# if you take off your valve cover you will see cast#on 
head all 396 where closed chamber heads (which is good for low end tork) 
small port heads are useally the best for street on that moter.... to big 
of a port moter will not make tork untill high rpm...396 is one of those 
bigger is not alway's better when talking about heads...what are you 
trying to find out???
i also have a 1971 bb 402 with is factory 0.30 over 396 with steel 
crank..4 sale if you know anyone looking....
hop this helps a little (if your rebuilding on can do a lot better then 
stock very easy)still look's the same on the outside....
later john chevy's rule


From: Matthew Post <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: The Chevelle Mailing List <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: The Chevelle Mailing List <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [Chevelle-list] 396 decoding help
Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2004 09:34:05 -0800
Hi Guys,

I visited the Mortec website and found some things out about my 396:

Driver's side rear of the block - 3955272 - 1969 396 - 2 or 4 bolt
Heads - 3872702 - '65 or '66 - Oval - Closed chamber - 98cc
I couldn't read the stamp at the front of the engine.  There were other 
numbers though.  Are these date codes?

Pass. side rear - 4 GM PASS C11 8?
Inside Bellhousing - F5 HIPER PASS (mortec says Hiper means nothing?)
Above Oil Filter - K HIPERF PASS 18
Head - A316 GM2 PASS X
Do these mean anything?  Can you tell if the block is 2 or 4 bolt without 
pulling the oil pan?

Thanks!
Matt
_________________________________________________________________
Rethink your business approach for the new year with the helpful tips 
here. http://special.msn.com/bcentral/prep04.armx