'69 396 2-barrel

[Bill Bogues]

I have one of these engines I used to run in a old pickup truck I had. Gobs of low rpm torque. I swear the engine would run at 200 rpm. You couldn't lug it down. I used to drive it up the driveway in high gear at 10 mph and it wouldn't jump or anything. It.s the same shortblock as a 325 with a 109cc head to lower the compression. Still have it for future use. I think it would be a good combo in stock as long as you had something big enough to haul it and the big car that goes with it around.

[Bench Racer]

I'm playing Paramedic with the vampires this month, rotate a month of 12 hr days then a month of 12 hour nights. It kinda slow so I got time to kill on the web. I was looking at the 69 Chevy 2 bbl combos and it looks like the 396 got a smaller carb than the 350. If the numbers I found on the web (along with my elementary fraction skills) are correct it looks like the 350 got a 435cfm carb, and the 396 got a 423cfm piece. Don Jackson

[Chad Rhodes]

My dad bought one of those engines many years ago for $50. Not sure if he still has the heads but the cast crank was not drilled for a pilot bushing and was 4lbs lighter than any other 396/427 cast crank

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Bench Racer

I'm playing Paramedic with the vampires this month, rotate a month of 12 hr days then a month of 12 hour nights. It kinda slow so I got time to kill on the web. I was looking at the 69 Chevy 2 bbl combos and it looks like the 396 got a smaller carb than the 350. If the numbers I found on the web (along with my elementary fraction skills) are correct it looks like the 350 got a 435cfm carb, and the 396 got a 423cfm piece. Don Jackson

Correct, and not a very good combo..
Look at the 77 400 4 bbl Pontiac @ 260 hp ,and tell me which you'd rather have in a big car,... station wagon.

You'd be better off with a 427/335 in a big 69 Chevy

[Rory McNeil]

If anybody in the Northwest felt the urge to build such a combo, I was at the Monroe Swap Meet in Monroe WA yesterday, and I saw a 69 396 2 barrel intake, carb and air cleaner assembly there for 50 bucks. It may still be there today.

[Dan Fahey]

I am in the middle of a full restoration of my 1969 Impala.
Raced for decades the chassis needed a lot of repair and updated the frame. Got it all powder coated. Body has been rebuilt removing rust.
Just need a new hood. May have to sell it.

The 396/265 2v is doable combination.
Car works well with the 350/255/275 combo.
Natural L car and move up to K or with weight to M.
The 350/250/245 2v is a better combo than the 396.
That combo is a N,O,P depending on weight.

D

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Dan Fahey

I am in the middle of a full restoration of my 1969 Impala.
Raced for decades the chassis needed a lot of repair and updated the frame. Got it all powder coated. Body has been rebuilt removing rust.
Just need a new hood. May have to sell it.

The 396/265 2v is doable combination.
Car works well with the 350/255/275 combo.
Natural L car and move up to K or with weight to M.
The 350/250/245 2v is a better combo than the 396.
That combo is a N,O,P depending on weight.

D

It's 230, not 245 ...with a bigger carb.. on a smaller engine

[Dan Fahey]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

It's 230, not 245 ...with a bigger carb.. on a smaller engine

230HP WOW thanks ..that makes it a better combination.
WA Lee made it famous in the 70's and 80's..

D

[ss wannabee]

This talk brings back memories...My Dad was shopping for a new car at the local Chevy
dealer back in '69 and the salesman suggested a 265hp wagon which we looked at...
(he didn't buy it).

In the mid '70's...I saw a 427/335hp wagon at Indy in Stock...D3 car I believe...don't
remember class...(or the times it ran)....

I saw the yellow '69 wagon run...was the guy's name Curtis?

Think W.A. Lee tried the 350/250 2bbl in a big wagon once...Remember him running
a gray-primered car....

'69 350/250 now at 230hp? That should be the one to consider!

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by ss wannabee

This talk brings back memories...My Dad was shopping for a new car at the local Chevy
dealer back in '69 and the salesman suggested a 265hp wagon which we looked at...
(he didn't buy it).

In the mid '70's...I saw a 427/335hp wagon at Indy in Stock...D3 car I believe...don't
remember class...(or the times it ran)....

I saw the yellow '69 wagon run...was the guy's name Curtis?

Think W.A. Lee tried the 350/250 2bbl in a big wagon once...Remember him running
a gray-primered car....

'69 350/250 now at 230hp? That should be the one to consider!

1970 combo is better...


Ed Curtis....


The big wagon was Ray Litty's....Now Bob Bender's...