396 with a 454 crank
Pro
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 645
Likes: 1
From: Hayward Wi
the only prob i see here is the prob with the 366 and that is to hot of cylinders..
Racer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 273
Likes: 11
From: Algona, WA
Lotsa grinding required!
The con rods will hit the bottom of the bores. The 396 was never clearance'd for the 4" stroke. The 396 was internal ballanced, external on the 454. You can come up with a Piston/rod combo that will work. But why? I'd sell the the block and start with 454 block. Or you could find a 3.76" stroke crank and build a 396. Problem with 4.094 bore is the small bore will shroud the intake valve, power will be limited... but somebody is looking for that 396 block! What year is it? If its a 65 or 66 it will have a grooved cam bearing/rear cam journal. Oiling is differrent on the early Mark IV's:o
Pro
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 645
Likes: 1
From: Hayward Wi
The con rods will hit the bottom of the bores. The 396 was never clearance'd for the 4" stroke. The 396 was internal ballanced, external on the 454. You can come up with a Piston/rod combo that will work. But why? I'd sell the the block and start with 454 block. Or you could find a 3.76" stroke crank and build a 396. Problem with 4.094 bore is the small bore will shroud the intake valve, power will be limited... but somebody is looking for that 396 block! What year is it? If its a 65 or 66 it will have a grooved cam bearing/rear cam journal. Oiling is differrent on the early Mark IV's:o
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 12
From: columbus oh
what is the casting #?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 93
From: Bellmore NY
Building this combo would just be a waste of good money to prove that you could build this combo, when you could more easily build a bigger and simpler motor that will definitely make more power.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
From: SIGONELLA Sicily
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
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From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
That is a total NO! .060 over bore was max which is 4.154 With sonic testing some blocks went .090 over. 4.185 was the uper limit even with the blocks stamped with either Heavy duty or Super duty. The 396 were always kind of considered as garbage along with it's 402 ci bigger brother. When the 427 came out it was king and the late 60's you had around 500 ci stroker motors in racing
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Why not just build up the 396 with modern components. It will make good HP/torque and it's still a big block. But, if you want a big cubic inch motor, start with a 454 or an aftermarket BIG block.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Corsicana, Tx
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It's an unusal combo for sure. CK Popular Hotrodding sometime over the last couple of years. They had a Nova in there with that combo with some compression that ran well. As mentioned, for the trouble it's a lot easier to build a 454...blocks don't cost that much used.
JIM
JIM
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
I agree with the others, swap the block for a 454. Heck, post the numbers in "for sale" and offer to swap for a decent 454 block and then you would be all set. BB are expensive enough as it is to build, you don't want to waste your cash on a morphodite like that!
Hans
Hans
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 15
From: Oxford Ohio
There are a number of them that will take a fair amount of over bore. Sonic teast is a must and the ability to off set bore will help also. If your shop can't or won't off set bore it will only be able to be bored to the min. thickness of the thinest part of the cylinder wall.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
This all started since my engine shop (friend) has the block, heads and crank and basically is giving me the parts and probably the machine work as well, although I'm not the type to take something for nothing so we'll be trading labor for sure. He has been in the business for over thirty years building race engines as well as mild rebuilds but is semi retired now. He has done some strange stroker combos and said we would need custom pistons and rods. If I can find a 396 crank or a 454 block I agree that would be best. This race shop is the local drag racers hang out (I'm the youngest at 50ish) so I'll start asking around but most of these guys are blue oval guys.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
Thanks Indian creek much appreciated! I'll see if I can find a 454 block first as it is after all about " more power"! I do however want to do a big block since in all the years I have been around cars I have never had a big block of any brand.