Big Bad 396 needs some help

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Big Bad 396 needs some help

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Big Bad 396 needs some help - 2/25/2008 5:24:57 AM

creck

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I have a 69 SS 396 convert (clone). I have found out that the block is actually a 400 and the heads are 396. The reason I found this out is when I had to replace the tranny I purchased an internally balanced fly wheel and had a little balance issue. Currently I'm having some trouble with one of my rods. From what I'm being told the rod has worn a groove in the side and is ticking and letting oil get down into the cylinder. The ticking is getting louder and I'm afraid I may cause more damage if I don't get it fixed?
Hear is the dilema. Is the engine worth rebuilding or should I look to spend some more $ on a new motor? I believe I know the answer, but wanted to get some feedback from the experts. I would love to have it rebuilt tight, but I'm not sure what I should expect as far as cost?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Chris

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RE: Big Bad 396 needs some help - 2/25/2008 8:38:17 AM

GRIFF

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Do you have a big block or a smallblock? A 400 is a smallblock, a 396 is a bigblock. A 402 is a bored out 396 both big blocks. Big block head do not interchange with a small block. I am not understanding the rod issue is it a connecting rod or something in the head? A picture of the engine will help.

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RE: Big Bad 396 needs some help - 2/25/2008 9:36:03 AM

1969 SS

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as griff has said, those two engines don't interchange. a 402 is basically the same as a 396. my 396 started as a 402 (and now it's a 408)

your rod issue is making no sense to me either. I think you are definitely confused on this issue, or someone is blowing smoke up your ass and just wants to make some money off of you

if you have some "ticking" that is getting louder, it is quite possible that it is just a rocker arm that is backing off and that's a 5 minute fix

also, why did you have to buy a new flywheel when you bought the new tranny? that doesn't sound right either?

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RE: Big Bad 396 needs some help - 2/25/2008 11:35:33 AM

Camaro 69

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Creck, why don't you give us your block casting #, that will answer at least one question. The # is located on top of the block, driver's side, near the bellhousing.

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RE: Big Bad 396 needs some help - 2/25/2008 5:35:33 PM

creck

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This is great! Really, I wanted to get to the bottom of all of this.
I had a powerglide tranny that was starting to give me fits so I swapped it out for TH 350. When I bought the TCI Tranny from Barnett Performance (ATL) they suggested that I change out the flywheel that was internally balanced and a boss hog converter. I was told that a 396 was internally balanced.
OK, I learning, my block # is 3999289 and from what I've found out it's a 71-79 454 block, with 396 heads?
From what the mechanic told me the push rod in the #7 cylinder has worn out the side of the valve guide? That shouldn't tick, should it?

I asked the mechanic to check the rocker arms and he said they were fine? Is there an easy way to check this?

Two problems I'm trying to solve
1-The tick that's getting louder
2-Oil consumption and exhaust fumes. The fumes are blueish/ grey.

I really appreciate the feedback.

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RE: Big Bad 396 needs some help - 2/25/2008 5:45:58 PM

creck

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here is a picture of the motor. Any suggestions on what to do with the carb. Rebuild or buy a new one? Again thanks for the advice.

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RE: Big Bad 396 needs some help - 2/25/2008 6:43:34 PM

GRIFF

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As you probably figured out the 454 is externally balanced. The balance issue can distroy the main bearings. The oil consumption could be due to a valve guide. The problem I see is that you really dont know what you have as far as the engine construction it could be a solid lifter cam ticking. My suggestion is take the car to a shop that builds performance engines...

< Message edited by GRIFF -- 2/25/2008 6:57:25 PM >

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