verskel

Ok, somebody yrs. ago told me that 427 & 454 parts are interchangeable....but if you have a 396 then you're pretty much stuck with a 396..... Oh yeah ?
Well, how come the first 396's were 'bored' out to make 427's ???
So - research time !
Just came back from Barnes & Nobles (great library - :lol:) and guess what ? ...the 4.125" bore on the 396 can be 'bored' out to a max of 0.155 over !!! :yesnod: Yup - as long as the center core location stays constant.

AND - to top this off : 1969 - 396 & 402 blocks have the 4" clearance at the bottom of the cyl. to accept a 454 crank ! - wow, I didn't know that.

So has anyone done this ? ....Is it hard to accomplish with a good machine shop ? ....Could a 402 become a 427 or a 454 ??? ...if so, that means a cheaper 396 could save ya some dough $$$ :D :cool:

Tom73

This is from the Mortec site:

C.I.----Bore----Stroke
396 = 4.096" x 3.76"
402 = 4.125" x 3.76"
427 = 4.250" x 3.76"
454 = 4.250" x 4.00"
502 = 4.466" x 4.00"

tom...

woodenichols

Exactly what I have been told! :D Only difference between my old 427 and the new 454 is the stroke! :)

Steve

Injected

It works, but if you do it don't forget to deal with the internal/external balance issues between the engines during the build up and machine work.

Greg

Wrencher

Heck, just build the 396! a set of light pistons and aluminum heads makes these fly. I like the flow caracteristics of BB heads, and these engines can safely rev quite a bit higher than a 454/503. It's sort of a 'tweener (between a SB and a 454).

Hans

Chuck Harmon

Verskel,

Treat yourself to the book, "How to Hot Rod the Big Block Chevy ". It gives a very clear and detailed explanation on all the questions you brought up. A Must Read for Chevy GearHeads everywhere!

Chuck

verskel

Thanks Chuck - it's on my list ! :D
....you wouldn't happen to know about 'nickel' content would you ? - There's a lot of race guys always lookin' for blocks with more 'nickel' content which is stronger, but is there really a difference when it comes to boring ? :confused:

clem zahrobsky

a 65 CORVETTE 396 block, cast # 3855962 can be bored to 4.250 as i have done several blocks back in the 60s. other 396 blocks can not be bored that large, "been there tried that" :chevy


[Modified by clem zahrobsky, 6:55 PM 4/24/2002]