396 big block knock after warmup

[Kelley W King]

My opinion also. With all that damage it should have had death rattles, at least while driven.

[1stgen68]

It felt like it ran fine and all that was noticeable was the bottom end knock. It didn’t have but will in the future a kick down cable and I never had a chance to floor it and open up 4 barrels. Never felt like a wobble whatsoever. If the block comes back with good pressure and can be salvaged, we are painting the block black and heads black with chrome valve covers. Also getting the billet surpentine belt kit for dress up because it’s not a numbers matching car and we can pretty much. Keeping the block stock with all new parts and as fat of a cam I can that the tolerance allows.  Sucks that we just got this car and had to turn around and hear that it was shot and or about to be shot.

[1stgen68]

This car is solid black with gray racing stripes. We call her Black Betty and she’s not rock steady right now. She’s been a real bi*ch ever since I got her. Once she comes back solid, she’ll be bambalam and I’m gonna open her up and finally see what it can do.

[bcmiller]

Do you completely trust the machine shop that tore it down to check it? 

[1stgen68]

I do trust them. The guy that tore it down does this weekly for someone that drag races on the weekends and rebuilds a 454 when needed. He’s also a Camaro guy himself and familiar with these firsts gens. Knowing this put me at ease a little going into this project.

[crossboss]

Do you completely trust the machine shop that tore it down to check it?

Thats a very good comment. You MUST have complete confidance in your machinist/engine builder! I for one would not take a Chevy engine to a Ford guy, or vise versa.