396???

[ChevyDave]

What does it take to make a 396?

[Daffy427]

I always thought it was a 350 block .060 overbore with a 400 crankshaft but I could be wrong. Assuming you are talking about the small block version.

[ChevyDave]

Thats what I was talking about. Thanks

[ChevyDave]

Is boreing a 350 over 60 very safe.

[gassersrule_196]

there seems the be this genral fear of boring motors. the lead engine shop in this town just got done with 2 350's one was a .100 over and one was an .080 over they were magged and came out fine. i guess its all in which block you have. i bore my motors .125

[mooneye777]

I think the biggest worry from boring a 350 .060 over is the chance of it not cooling as well. A ton of people do it though. If you are going to bore a good block .060 over for the sake of having a 396, Why not just go
.030 and call it a 383 ?

[Mike P]

Actually going .060 pver on a 350 with a 400 crank only puts you out to 388 CI. To go to 396 would take a .100 overbore.

often the older blocks (50's 60s era) can safely go .100 or over but even on those it can get into scarry territory. I have a 352 Ford that went .110.

Anytime you start looking at that much material removal you really need to invest in a sonic check to make sure you won;t be into the water jackets or so thin you blow the cylinder out.

[ChevyDave]

Thanks for the info.

[ChevyDave]

I was going to go with the 350 stroked but I believe I am going to move up to the 454 now and stroke it to a 496.

[techinspector1]

Attaboy Dave, bigger is better.

[gassersrule_196]

mmmmmm hmmm..............................

[ChevyDave]

This stuff is killing me. I tore the 350 apart and it seams that I have a good 4 bolt 350 block to work with. This is my first build and i am trying to do it and raise two kid so I am on kind of a budge and my wife said its a pritty tight one at that. Now I am back at square one. So now the question is what is the best and safest way to get the most horsepower out of this small block. With nitrious and the whole nine yards. I think for my trany Iam going to go with a 700R so I have the overdrive for cruiseing a little distance.

[Mike P]

Lets start with the basics....... what type of car are you building and how do primarlily plan on using it?

It will make a big difference in how you build it and the enjoyment you get out of it when it's done.

[ChevyDave]

It is going in a 1980 chevy short wide pick-up I want to use it on the street and be able to take out to the track every now and again. I want to get the most horsepower out of it. I have seen these things running 500hp how safe is this for a small block.

[pat mccarthy]

Attaboy Dave, bigger is better.

why yes it is now if i can just get the hood to shut over that 734 if your going 350 you could buy better rods and a good forged pistons if running nos i would never bore it past 060. less is better alot of them blocks are thin a 383 would be a good engine and can be a bitch may need some grinding on the block and a small base circle cam and if you use a cap screw bolt rod there should be be less work to do on the block