Engine question!

[ss68396]

Hey guys,

First off nice to see a site like this for us Camaro freaks. Just Awesome.

My question is this - I have had my 1968 396/375hp Camaro SS for almost 10yrs. About 5 yrs ago I spun a rod bearing and have had the car parked and motor pull and apart. Now here is my delima....This is the numbers matching motor, do I rebuild it or replace it with another BB to drive around with?

As for cost I think the rebuild would be the same with any BB so for money it is no difference. I am just curious as what you would do if this was your car and you just wanted to drive it again.

Also does it make a difference for Apprasial if you have the original motor not in the but say in the garage?

Thanks again
Jay

[1968RSZ28]

Jay -

"Life is now!"  If it were I, I would rebuild the original motor and drive it!  Enjoy the L78 or L89 torque while you can!  

Paul    

[Ed Ernst]

Unless you plan on reaming the motor with 7k rpm gear shifts at every opportunity , my vote is for the original motor. 

[lcmc]

I'd rebuild it and put it in the car. Just make sure that the machine shop does not deck the block. They seem to love to get that extra cash for something that does not need to be done.

[Ron C.]

if you want to push the pedal down I would put a crate engine in it and rebuild the original motor and put it aside,that way you can play and not worry about putting a rod thru the block and really ruining the engine. The original motor will increase the cars value. keep it safe!

[lakeholme]

Original is always best!

Yes, hold on to the original motor even if you decide to put in something else.  That motor is worth a lot when it comes to originality and that specific (or one around the same build date) car.

I'm about half way through de-cloning what the previous owner had done.  De-cloning a car is also expensive!  If I didn't love the car, I'd sell it and go out and spend even more on a more original car.

One rule of thumb is to keep all original parts.  Someone else might want what you do not, and someday when you decide to sell it will make a difference.  And if for no other reason, we owe it to the hobby...

[dab67]

I agree if you can afford to do it. Rebuild it, wrap it up and sit it aside. Drop a 350 in the car and  enjoy it that way. Then if you decide to refurbish the car in it's entirety you have the engine ready.

dab67

[ss68396]

I'd rebuild it and put it in the car. Just make sure that the machine shop does not deck the block. They seem to love to get that extra cash for something that does not need to be done.

LCMC,

You say not ot deck the block. What is it that the do when they deck it? I was under the impression they make it level or square..is that correct?

[ss68396]

This car is all original and I want to keep it that way. This is a True Canadian Car from the build sheet and all the docs I have on it.

I love the power and feeling of having the BB in the car. I was told just like Dab67 said to put a heathly 350 in there and get about the same feeling but its just not the same you know.

I bought this car because it was a BB and I want a big block so I guess I need to buckle down and rebuild the 396.

Thanks again guys like I said before AWESOME SITE...

Keep it up

[Gramps69Z]

Jay. when a block is decked, normally all the engine identification numbers are removed from the rightside boss on the block.

Glad to be home, I spent the last four days working the track at Talladega.  I also had to dodge a few (Budweiser) beer cans.   
 

Fireman John

[Ron C.]

Jay you can get a 572 big block from GM in the crate,runs on pump gas which you cant run with your stock 375HP 396 cause it has high compression, the 572 BB crate engine has 725 HP ON PUMP GAS!  Or you can put a 502 in it which is cheaper and that engine also runs on pump gas.Your L78 engine wasnt designed to run on octane lower than 97 I think so you would have to mix purple raceing gas 110 with some pump gas or you may damage the engine if it starts to knock because of low octane fuel. Sunoco used to have 95 octane but no more all fuel is now 94. Another reason to use a crate engine, my 69 Z/28 has 11:1 so I need to mix a little raceing fuel with it so it doesnt ping or detonate. The decision is yours though,just something to think about being you have a high horsepower engine that used to run back in the 60s with higher octane leaded fuel.

[JohnZ]

Jay you can get a 572 big block from GM in the crate,runs on pump gas which you cant run with your stock 375HP 396 cause it has high compression, the 572 BB crate engine has 725 HP ON PUMP GAS! 

Not quite. The 720hp 572 has 12.5:1 compression and requires race gas; we put the 620hp version (9.5:1) in a '67 Corvette as a magazine project, and it runs like gangbusters on pump premium.

[Ron C.]

I knew there were differnt versions I just wasnt sure which one ran on pump gas.

[ss68396]

Well I priced out the GM Crates yesterday.

454 - 425hp $6500cdn
454 - 440hp $7500cdn
502 base - $7600cdn
502ZZ - $8500cdn
502Delux - $9500cdn.

So i will have to keep thinking.

Also my 396 is a 4bolt main....Nice hey

[wtexz10]

I'll also chime in on the side of rebuild it and put it aside.  I did this with my Z10.  The L48 sits quitely on and engine stand and a crate ZZ4 now resides in the engine bay.  I've even adapted the original valve covers to the center bolt heads.  After a quick glance the engine almost looks original.

The car is much quicker with the ZZ4 and I'm not parinoid about breaking the L48 .  If I need to change it back, I can do it over a weekend.

Have fun.

Kris