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06-02-2017, 12:13 AM
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#1 |
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Active Member
 Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Eagle Pass,
Posts: 195
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69 396 Engine Or 81 454 Engine-Which to buy
I like to buy a big block for my 72 project truck, only thing that I am on a budget and can't spend tons of money on just the engine. I found me a 454 engine and 400 transmission combo from an 81 gmc 4 dr. truck, it is complete and running. The guy wants $850 for all of it. That engine doesn't have so much horsepower, but I can probably get my truck running much faster without spending so much, I can probably upgrade it later.
Then I have the chance to buy a 396 engine, 2 bolt, complete, but taken apart. It has some missing parts, no accessories. The block is standard, and it is from a 69 chevelle apparently, 375 hp, $350 for it. This is a great engine, but it would take me a while to build it since it would require a good amount of money to get it running. How much would it take to get this engine running without spending so much on it? Somebody told me the 396's tend to overheat easily, is that true? I am not sure I want the engine sitting there for a while because there is not enough money to build it, although is a much stronger engine than the truck engine. What engine is my best option? The cheap and complete, or the 396? |
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06-02-2017, 01:32 AM
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#2 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Colfax-California
Posts: 8,388
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Re: 69 396 Engine Or 81 454 Engine-Which to buy
454 all the way. I had to replace the 396 in my 68 a couple of years ago. The cost to rebuild the 396 or a 454 I sitting around was the same. I went with the 454. The difference of about 65 cubic inches was night and day in the way the truck performs
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06-02-2017, 02:26 AM
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#3 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Orem, Utah
Posts: 7,791
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Re: 69 396 Engine Or 81 454 Engine-Which to buy
There's an old saying - there's no replacement for displacement.
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06-02-2017, 07:32 AM
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#4 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Falls City, Nebraska "100 Miles From Nowhere"
Posts: 2,219
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Re: 69 396 Engine Or 81 454 Engine-Which to buy
No brainer, 454 all the way! $850 for a running 454 w/400 Turbo is an excellent price! Jump on it!
 Take it from the guy who loves his money pit L34 396!
__________________
Michael of the clan Hill, "Two Seventy Two's" 71 1-ton Dually 350 4-Speed 71 C/50 Grain Truck, 350 Split-Axle 4-Speed 02 3/4 ton Express 14 Indian Chief Vintage 1952 Ford 8N, "Only Ford Allowed On The Property" "Be American, Buy American" 
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06-02-2017, 07:38 AM
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#5 |
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motor exploder
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 2,346
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Re: 69 396 Engine Or 81 454 Engine-Which to buy
If the 454 is running well, I'd grab it. You can always upgrade it along the way. Not to mention, in '69 375hp 396 out of a chevelle would've been a solid lifter L78 engine and should have 4 bolt mains.
Nothing wrong with a 2 bolt block, just pointing out the that the engine may not be quite as advertised.
__________________
Adam 1969 Chevy CST/10 stepside, DART Big M/TREMEC Magnum Extreme/3.73's w/Detroit Truetrac 1965 Chevy Bel Air Wagon (daily driver), 327/TH350,10 bolt w/3.08's 1961 Chevy Bel Air Sport Coupe, ZZ454/M21/9" rear w/3.50's & Detroit Truetrac 2005 GMC 1500 ccsb 2wd, 6.0L/4L65e/3.73 G80 2006 GMC 2500HD ccsb 4x4, DMax LBZ/Allison 6spd/4.56's w/Detroit TrueTrac   Use the SEARCH function on this forum - it is your friend!! |
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06-02-2017, 10:19 AM
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#6 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Victoria, B.C
Posts: 3,794
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Re: 69 396 Engine Or 81 454 Engine-Which to buy
Easy....go with the 454.
Externally, they are identical so if you want to badge and detail it as a '396' or '402'...knock yourself out...no one has to know unless you tell them....plus all the bracketry will fit either motor without issue. As mentioned, the torque and power difference will make you glad you did. all Good Coley
__________________
....for some men, there is experience, skill and effort....for the others...there is visa and UPS LOL 1966 Chevy 1/2 ton (Florida- Red/white) 1972 Chevy 1/2 ton (California- Blue/white) 2005 Chevy Silverado HD2500/Duramax 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 |
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06-02-2017, 04:14 PM
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#7 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: greensboro nc
Posts: 673
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Re: 69 396 Engine Or 81 454 Engine-Which to buy
454. Cpl reason 65 of them are cubes. Late model will work with unleaded gas w/o need of hardened valve seats.Up grades are easy and not terrible prices. If you want to tow those 65 cubes and big part .250 extra crank are nice.
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Only the stupid know too much to learn something new. |
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06-02-2017, 06:26 PM
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#8 |
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Active Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Eagle Pass,
Posts: 195
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Re: 69 396 Engine Or 81 454 Engine-Which to buy
Thanks for the advice guys! Gonna go see that 454 and see if I can still buy it!
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06-03-2017, 01:02 AM
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#9 |
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60-66 Nut
 Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Posts: 23,246
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Re: 69 396 Engine Or 81 454 Engine-Which to buy
I would go with the 454 hands down. More torque than the 396 and slightly cheaper for pistons when needed.
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06-03-2017, 03:11 PM
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#10 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Space Coast, Fl.
Posts: 1,050
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Re: 69 396 Engine Or 81 454 Engine-Which to buy
Might make a few bucks if you identify the 396 by casting#'s and deck stamp suffix. Heads & manifolds too. A few years ago a guy gave me a disassembled 396 that was pretty cruddy and rusty. Identified it as a 350hp from a '69 Camaro. I advertised it on TEAM CAMARO and got lot of response. Guy paid $600 + shipping..... try TEAM CHEVELLE's classified, great source of BBC info. too.
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Dad always said, "Son, WISH IN ONE HAND, and ......." -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- Current toy trucks: '71 GMC 1500 SUPER CUSTOM short/step, orig. dk. blue, 350/700r, ps,pb, A/C '72 Blazer 2wd, ochre & white, 454, tremecTKO 500 5spd. ps, pb, A/C, tilt Last 10yrs of hobby vehicles, had a FEW more in the 50yrs. before these: '66 Plymouth Belvedere City of Miami cop car clone. '70 Nova 406"sb, 13.5-1, solid roller, Brodix, p.glide/t.brake, back halved, 9" Ford, spool 4.88, cage,ladder bar/coilover, 10.5 tire....... SOLD!! '67 C10 short/step side mount spare -- SOLD!! '72 Jimmy 2wd, 350/350, ps, pb, fun driver, lots of bondo & a shiny red paint job..... SOLD!! '69 Nova 350, 4spd, A/C, ps, p.b, ...SOLD!! |
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06-03-2017, 04:45 PM
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#11 |
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Active Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Eagle Pass,
Posts: 195
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Re: 69 396 Engine Or 81 454 Engine-Which to buy
Great idea, this are the numbers on that block. 3955272, T0218J0.
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06-03-2017, 09:17 PM
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#12 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Bowser
Posts: 13,510
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Re: 69 396 Engine Or 81 454 Engine-Which to buy
THat suffix code JO shows as being a 69 265 hp motor. Likely a 2bbl 9 to 1 stocker.
http://www.nastyz28.com/gm-chevy-cod...-suffix-14.php |
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06-04-2017, 11:04 AM
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#13 | |
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motor exploder
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 2,346
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Re: 69 396 Engine Or 81 454 Engine-Which to buy
Quote:
 
__________________
Adam 1969 Chevy CST/10 stepside, DART Big M/TREMEC Magnum Extreme/3.73's w/Detroit Truetrac 1965 Chevy Bel Air Wagon (daily driver), 327/TH350,10 bolt w/3.08's 1961 Chevy Bel Air Sport Coupe, ZZ454/M21/9" rear w/3.50's & Detroit Truetrac 2005 GMC 1500 ccsb 2wd, 6.0L/4L65e/3.73 G80 2006 GMC 2500HD ccsb 4x4, DMax LBZ/Allison 6spd/4.56's w/Detroit TrueTrac Use the SEARCH function on this forum - it is your friend!! |
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06-04-2017, 08:12 PM
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#14 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Hebron
Posts: 1,123
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Re: 69 396 Engine Or 81 454 Engine-Which to buy
Just my .02 worth, but I did buy a 454 for my truck and have loved every minute with it.
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RUBBER DOWN AND HIT THE ROAD!!!1940 Ford Dlx Coupe 1969 Mach1 |
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06-06-2017, 02:33 PM
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#15 |
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Active Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Eagle Pass,
Posts: 195
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Re: 69 396 Engine Or 81 454 Engine-Which to buy
Picked up the engine combo yesterday, now need to clean it, paint it, make it look much nicer. I would be in the market for some good compression heads soon. I am sure I would enjoy the process of getting this engine nice and ready for my truck.
Thanks guys. |
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06-06-2017, 03:36 PM
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#16 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Binghamton, NY
Posts: 3,453
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Re: 69 396 Engine Or 81 454 Engine-Which to buy
See what the heads are, might get lucky n get 049s or 781s.....
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2000 GMC CCSB 454/4L80 6” lift SAS 1999 Chevy CCSB 454/NV4500 6” lift 1999 GMC Yukon 350/4L60 4" SAS |
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