'66 Chevy BBC 396 ?'s......

Wade_Owens · 05-29-2008, 11:42 AM

what is the best automatic combo for this year?

has anybody ever run either of the automatic combos?

also, which of the head #'s are the best for stocker use?

thanks for all the help, see you guys in chicago......

Wade O

Dwight Southerland · 05-29-2008, 02:45 PM

There are 325hp, 360hp and 375hp versions in 1966. The 325hp version was available in the Chevelle and the full-size Chevrolet. The 360hp and 375hp versions were available in the Chevelle only. The 375hp version was not available with an automatic trans. The 360hp version used a 600 cfm Holley and is the same engine as the 325hp version except for camshaft specs. The 325hp version uses a 750 cfm Quadrajet. The transmission of choice would be a three-speed. When the cars were produced in 1966, the Chevelle used a Powerglide and the full-size cars used a TH400, but I'm sure the truth of that has been rewritten in history along with everything else. If you look at the Classification Guide, it has different weight breaks for the "TH" transmission in the full-size car. The Technical Specs lists carburetors for the "PG", so maybe when that stuff was originally written they knew what was going on.

To answer your questions, the best combination would be a 325hp engine with a three-speed transmission.

Wade_Owens · 05-29-2008, 04:55 PM

Dwight and others, do you have an opinion on which casting head would be best?

7 options looks overwhelming to figure out......

Thanks again..

Wade O

SSDiv6 · 05-29-2008, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wade_Owens

Dwight and others, do you have an opinion on which casting head would be best?

7 options looks overwhelming to figure out......

Thanks again..

Wade O

290 casting with the peanut (5/8") spark plug.

Dwight Southerland · 05-29-2008, 08:19 PM

Or the 215.

Bub Whitaker · 05-29-2008, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSDiv6

290 casting with the peanut (5/8") spark plug.

Ditto / Intake runners are bigger.. volume makes more power

05-29-2008, 11:42 AM	#1
Wade_Owens Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 578 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 1 Post	'66 Chevy BBC 396 ?'s...... what is the best automatic combo for this year? has anybody ever run either of the automatic combos? also, which of the head #'s are the best for stocker use? thanks for all the help, see you guys in chicago...... Wade O

05-29-2008, 02:45 PM	#2
Dwight Southerland VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Arkansas - In the middle of everything. Posts: 1,982 Likes: 54 Liked 726 Times in 177 Posts	Re: '66 Chevy BBC 396 ?'s...... There are 325hp, 360hp and 375hp versions in 1966. The 325hp version was available in the Chevelle and the full-size Chevrolet. The 360hp and 375hp versions were available in the Chevelle only. The 375hp version was not available with an automatic trans. The 360hp version used a 600 cfm Holley and is the same engine as the 325hp version except for camshaft specs. The 325hp version uses a 750 cfm Quadrajet. The transmission of choice would be a three-speed. When the cars were produced in 1966, the Chevelle used a Powerglide and the full-size cars used a TH400, but I'm sure the truth of that has been rewritten in history along with everything else. If you look at the Classification Guide, it has different weight breaks for the "TH" transmission in the full-size car. The Technical Specs lists carburetors for the "PG", so maybe when that stuff was originally written they knew what was going on. To answer your questions, the best combination would be a 325hp engine with a three-speed transmission.

05-29-2008, 04:55 PM	#3
Wade_Owens Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 578 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 1 Post	Re: '66 Chevy BBC 396 ?'s...... Dwight and others, do you have an opinion on which casting head would be best? 7 options looks overwhelming to figure out...... Thanks again.. Wade O

05-29-2008, 08:19 PM	#5
Dwight Southerland VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Arkansas - In the middle of everything. Posts: 1,982 Likes: 54 Liked 726 Times in 177 Posts	Re: '66 Chevy BBC 396 ?'s...... Or the 215.