396 Cylinder Heads (WTB) - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

cwilkie · 06-23-2005, 10:22 AM

Does anyone have a pair of 396 cylinder heads for sale? I have a 1969 Chevy truck big block, which I would really love to make "all 396" but I have had no luck finding such a pair. I guess I really know what," sh*t in one hand & wish in the other and see which one fills up faster" means. Anyway, any advice is greatly appreciated.

Chance

**Warrens69GMC** · 06-23-2005, 11:43 AM

This guy is a local (to me). Bought my 396 from him, nice guy.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...557493623&rd=1
He has a lot of the bbc stuff, and will have (or know how to get) what you are looking for.

warrens69

cwilkie · 06-23-2005, 11:54 AM

Do you have a name, email, and phone number for this guy? Please let me know.

Chance

**Warrens69GMC** · 06-23-2005, 12:43 PM

Send him a "ask the seller a question". His name is Larry Bourne. can't seem to find his number

.
warrens69gmc

knsmodels · 06-23-2005, 03:34 PM

What style of head are you looking for??? Open Chamber or Closed Chamber...also do you want Oval port or Square port....That info would help...

cwilkie · 06-23-2005, 03:59 PM

I am not sure right now. I'm going to look up the casting numbers of the 454 heads, which are currently on the truck then I'll go from there. I would assume they are closed but as for oval or rectangular I'll have to look at the 454 heads first. It's just one of those things where I want my motor to match what I am telling people what I have. I'll take a picture of my setup when I get home from work.

Chance

cwilkie · 06-23-2005, 06:51 PM

I checked the casting number on my heads and it's 6272292, which translate into 1971 402/454 Oval Open chamber heads on my 1969 396 engine.

Does this matter...the hp rating on the 396bb are 310hp and the rating on the 402/454 cylinder heads are 240/270? My Father says the motor should have a lot more snap and he thinks it's because of the heads. Anyway, I am looking for the correct 396 heads.

The intake casting number is 3883948 = 1966-68 396bb 325hp. Does it matter if I get open or closed chamber heads? Which are better? Please let me know.

Chance

knsmodels · 06-24-2005, 12:23 AM

BBC heads are all basically the same from 396-454. Depending on the casting #'s will tell you what they are for. If you have heads that are dated before 70 they will tell you in the books that they are for 396-427. After 70 the 454 and the 402 came out so although the heads are the same the books will say they are for 402-454 cause that is what motors GM was making then....also most heads after 70 will be oval port do to emission motors coming out......anyway as far as what you need is a matter of what you are building....are you looking for higher rpm's or lower end torque?? Most people on the street are using oval port heads...they are better for torque and lower rpm's....the rectangular ports where only on the high performance cars (LS6 Chevelle motor, L88, L78 375 horse motor) oval ports where on most everything else. As for open or closed chambered heads it is a matter of compression. If you are running a low compression piston and are trying to bump it up you could go with a closed chamber head. If compression is not a big factor then open chamber will be fine. It really comes down to personal preference and what you are looking to get out of your engine......Hope this helps a little.....Paul K

cwilkie · 06-29-2005, 11:32 AM

After calling almost every machine shop in ND, SD, and western MN I found a set of 1965-66 396BB oval port closed chamber heads with casting # 3856206. I couldn't believe how great of shape these heads were in. They were $150 for the pair. The guy at the machine shop was kind of mad because he wanted me to pay him to get them rebuilt for the small fee of $735. I told him my Father and I would do it for a smaller fee because I at least I knew they would be done right. Long story short I got what I wanted for a great price. Also, the brand new 700R4 came in yesterady as well.

Chance

55454 · 06-29-2005, 03:39 PM

mortec.com

55454 · 06-29-2005, 06:52 PM

I personally like the 454 with 781's or 049's open oval. I am not sure how the 292's flow but if they were fitted on a 402 also, I'd rather the previously mentioned heads. I think the closed chambered heads on 454 = more compression hence free horsepower. They will have to be conditioned for todays fuel. This is only my opinion only and I dont know this to be fact, so to the experts please be kind or correct me.

Tommy

06-23-2005, 10:22 AM	#1
cwilkie Chance Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Belcourt ,ND, USA Posts: 750	396 Cylinder Heads (WTB) Does anyone have a pair of 396 cylinder heads for sale? I have a 1969 Chevy truck big block, which I would really love to make "all 396" but I have had no luck finding such a pair. I guess I really know what," sht in one hand & wish in the other and see which one fills up faster" means. Anyway, any advice is greatly appreciated. Chance __________________ 1968 Chevrolet Stepside BB 396 w/TH400 1972 Chevrolet 3/4 Ton 4x4 BB 496 w/TH400 Last edited by cwilkie; 06-23-2005 at 10:23 AM.*

06-23-2005, 11:43 AM	#2
Warrens69GMC Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Safford,AZ Posts: 3,625	396 parts This guy is a local (to me). Bought my 396 from him, nice guy. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...557493623&rd=1 He has a lot of the bbc stuff, and will have (or know how to get) what you are looking for. warrens69 __________________ 1969 307, t350 1950 Chevy Wagon 1978 Big 10 1967 C10, 250,3-OTT Last edited by Warrens69GMC; 06-23-2005 at 11:43 AM.

06-23-2005, 11:54 AM	#3
cwilkie Chance Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Belcourt ,ND, USA Posts: 750	heads Do you have a name, email, and phone number for this guy? Please let me know. Chance __________________ 1968 Chevrolet Stepside BB 396 w/TH400 1972 Chevrolet 3/4 Ton 4x4 BB 496 w/TH400

06-23-2005, 12:43 PM	#4
Warrens69GMC Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Safford,AZ Posts: 3,625	396 Send him a "ask the seller a question". His name is Larry Bourne. can't seem to find his number . warrens69gmc __________________ 1969 307, t350 1950 Chevy Wagon 1978 Big 10 1967 C10, 250,3-OTT

06-23-2005, 03:34 PM	#5
knsmodels I make Models Join Date: May 2005 Location: Bucks, PA Posts: 626	What style of head are you looking for??? Open Chamber or Closed Chamber...also do you want Oval port or Square port....That info would help... __________________ Click to see what I do 1972 LWB K10 350/4 sp 1968 SS Chevelle 396/tremac5spd

06-23-2005, 03:59 PM	#6
cwilkie Chance Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Belcourt ,ND, USA Posts: 750	heads I am not sure right now. I'm going to look up the casting numbers of the 454 heads, which are currently on the truck then I'll go from there. I would assume they are closed but as for oval or rectangular I'll have to look at the 454 heads first. It's just one of those things where I want my motor to match what I am telling people what I have. I'll take a picture of my setup when I get home from work. Chance __________________ 1968 Chevrolet Stepside BB 396 w/TH400 1972 Chevrolet 3/4 Ton 4x4 BB 496 w/TH400

06-23-2005, 06:51 PM	#7
cwilkie Chance Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Belcourt ,ND, USA Posts: 750	cylinder head casting numbers I checked the casting number on my heads and it's 6272292, which translate into 1971 402/454 Oval Open chamber heads on my 1969 396 engine. Does this matter...the hp rating on the 396bb are 310hp and the rating on the 402/454 cylinder heads are 240/270? My Father says the motor should have a lot more snap and he thinks it's because of the heads. Anyway, I am looking for the correct 396 heads. The intake casting number is 3883948 = 1966-68 396bb 325hp. Does it matter if I get open or closed chamber heads? Which are better? Please let me know. Chance __________________ 1968 Chevrolet Stepside BB 396 w/TH400 1972 Chevrolet 3/4 Ton 4x4 BB 496 w/TH400

06-24-2005, 12:23 AM	#8
knsmodels I make Models Join Date: May 2005 Location: Bucks, PA Posts: 626	BBC heads are all basically the same from 396-454. Depending on the casting #'s will tell you what they are for. If you have heads that are dated before 70 they will tell you in the books that they are for 396-427. After 70 the 454 and the 402 came out so although the heads are the same the books will say they are for 402-454 cause that is what motors GM was making then....also most heads after 70 will be oval port do to emission motors coming out......anyway as far as what you need is a matter of what you are building....are you looking for higher rpm's or lower end torque?? Most people on the street are using oval port heads...they are better for torque and lower rpm's....the rectangular ports where only on the high performance cars (LS6 Chevelle motor, L88, L78 375 horse motor) oval ports where on most everything else. As for open or closed chambered heads it is a matter of compression. If you are running a low compression piston and are trying to bump it up you could go with a closed chamber head. If compression is not a big factor then open chamber will be fine. It really comes down to personal preference and what you are looking to get out of your engine......Hope this helps a little.....Paul K __________________ Click to see what I do 1972 LWB K10 350/4 sp 1968 SS Chevelle 396/tremac5spd

06-29-2005, 11:32 AM	#9
cwilkie Chance Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Belcourt ,ND, USA Posts: 750	Found Some After calling almost every machine shop in ND, SD, and western MN I found a set of 1965-66 396BB oval port closed chamber heads with casting # 3856206. I couldn't believe how great of shape these heads were in. They were $150 for the pair. The guy at the machine shop was kind of mad because he wanted me to pay him to get them rebuilt for the small fee of $735. I told him my Father and I would do it for a smaller fee because I at least I knew they would be done right. Long story short I got what I wanted for a great price. Also, the brand new 700R4 came in yesterady as well. Chance __________________ 1968 Chevrolet Stepside BB 396 w/TH400 1972 Chevrolet 3/4 Ton 4x4 BB 496 w/TH400 Last edited by cwilkie; 06-29-2005 at 11:33 AM.

06-29-2005, 03:39 PM	#10
55454 55454 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lafayette La. Posts: 340	mortec.com

06-29-2005, 06:52 PM	#11
55454 55454 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lafayette La. Posts: 340	I personally like the 454 with 781's or 049's open oval. I am not sure how the 292's flow but if they were fitted on a 402 also, I'd rather the previously mentioned heads. I think the closed chambered heads on 454 = more compression hence free horsepower. They will have to be conditioned for todays fuel. This is only my opinion only and I dont know this to be fact, so to the experts please be kind or correct me. Tommy



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