Trying to identify a possible Chevy 396.
02-20-2018, 08:04 PM
#1
1st Gear
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Trying to identify a possible Chevy 396.
My roommate just had his 67 Firebird towed to the house. I offered to help him out with it but now that I look at it, it is a mess. The crank and cam shafts are not in the motor. We found a box labeled 'Pistons.' He says it has a 396 Chevy BB in it. But when I try to identify if that is correct I am having trouble. I tried to see the numbers just above the timing chain cover but it's blank. It's cleary out of my league as for rebuilding but I would like to at least know what motor it is. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
02-20-2018, 09:33 PM
#3
Just another Corvette guy
On the upper flange at the rear of the block behind the driver's side cylinder head. Also going to need the date code.
02-20-2018, 10:29 PM
#4
Race Director
Casting number on the block. Casting number on the heads. Casting number on the crankshaft. Measure the bore see if it's for an eight or four and a quarter.
02-20-2018, 11:28 PM
#5
Race Director
Firebird's did not come with a big block option.
I had a 69 with a 400 cu in small block and the other option was a 355 cu in.
There would be a lot of work to install a 396 cu in Chevy big block into the Pontiac.
Post a couple photos of what is under the hood so we can get closer to what it might be and at least verify if it is in fact a big block Chevy.
I had a 69 with a 400 cu in small block and the other option was a 355 cu in.
There would be a lot of work to install a 396 cu in Chevy big block into the Pontiac.
Post a couple photos of what is under the hood so we can get closer to what it might be and at least verify if it is in fact a big block Chevy.
02-21-2018, 12:08 AM
#6
Race Director
No more than in a camaro. Broke down in Memphis in my GTO in 77 or 78. While I was sitting in a gas station waiting for a ride, a 67 chevelle pulled up with a 400 Pontiac in it. 67 GTO pulled up with small block in it 10 min later. Asked em both why. They both said "to make it run." They are the same body. Drive trains interchange.
Last edited by derekderek; 02-21-2018 at 12:11 AM.
02-21-2018, 12:11 AM
#7
Race Director
OP. Can you post pics of the engine parts?
02-21-2018, 07:04 AM
#8
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There should be an engine ID code with suffix stamped on the pad at the front of the passenger's side head. There may also be a VIN derivative stamped there.
