For Sale is a very rare 396 that was from a 1965 Corvette. Casting #s say that it could also have also come in the 65 Chevelle 396 375hp Z16 and could have also been in some 65 396 425hp passenger cars.
I am actually reselling this due to my customer running into some unforeseen problems during a longterm build, therefore the build on his Pro Touring 1965 Corvette C2 has come to a stop. I am trying to sell everything we purchased for this project to help him recoup as much $$$$$ as possible, thus this engine is now for sale.
I am and have been for over 25 years, a custom car builder, hi performance engine builder & have recently been featured on a couple of episodes on the Velocity TV Series called “Iron Resurrection” w/my 54 Chevy Truck build w/the Blown SBC and my 55 Flamed Chevy Belair named “Devil Dog” w/my Blown BBC 565 Cu” build. I build performance street to full blown race engines, race cars to full custom Pro Street/Pro Touring custom cars. This engine is professionally built w/top shelf parts & precision machine work.
This block was used in all 65-66 high performance applications. Chevrolet blueprints designate this in the deck heights & cylinder wall revisions. This block also has thicker cylinder walls than the #3855961 block. Most #3855962 blocks that have been found are cast after February of 1965 due to the introduction date of the 396 engine of February 15,1965. The block also used a canister type of filter and a "no dowel pins" design for the timing chain cover. The block has a casting date located on the right lower side of the block, near the freeze plug and in front of the starter. The block also has a "tall tower" distributor casting boss, which is located inside the lifter galley.
This is a GM 4-bolt main 396 425hp engine. It has casting# 3855962 with a date of C-15-5. It has been decked, line bored, overbored and honed .060". The 6223 forged GM crankshaft has been magged, machined and polished to a .010/.010". The rotating assembly has been computer internally balanced. When assembled with the coated bearings it was plastigauged out at .0015" across all mains and rod journals. It also has new Sealed Power Forged dome pistons Part#ZL2242F60 which you can look up in Summits website for tech details. I will tell you that the dome height is .335" and has the single valve relief. These pistons are pressed onto the factory GM rods. I just wanted to add that the ring set seen in the picture is a Total Seal TS1 Ring set that you can check on Summits website as a TSR-T0190-35 @ $253 a set. They were filed at .013" for the top ring and .016" for the second ring.. As I do on most performance builds, I coated the block internals with Glyptal and screened the lifter valley as you can see in the pictures. It also comes with the factory HP GM rods that have been resized and ARP rod bolts installed. I have also installed a set of FelPro Head gaskets. I also used Comp Cams Finishing kit #234 for finishing hardware as well as a mix of ARP Head studs & polished SS 12 point head bolts.
The set of heads used on this engine are a performance set of 1966 Corvette 427, 435hp/396 425hp GM Cylinder heads, Casting# 3873858 with dates: B-8-6 & E-26-6. They will also number match a 1966 Chevelle 396, 375hp application as well. 2.19" intake valves; 1.72" Exhaust Valves & 108.989cc chambers. They are fully machined, prepped & ready long-term, high performance use. N ew Milodon 1-piece Stainless Intake valves were used were the original valves needed to be replaced,the rest were checked & Reconditioned, Glyptal coated spring area, Comp Cams springs & hardened Retainers w/10 degree locks, Hardened Seats installed, Comp Cams Hardened Guideplates and Studs torqued and ready to go. Springs will work for a Hydraulic Roller camshaft up to 700 Lift. The machine work was done by Kotzur Racing out of San Antonio, Texas and the prep work done by Texas Attitude Racing.
These heads were going to be used and mocked up on a 1970 LS6 454 but owner decided to swap over to GM LS6 Aluminum Heads instead before finishing the buildup of his engine therefore these heads are still as fresh as they were coming out of the machine shop. Awesome set of heads with a lot more potential if they were to be flow benched down the road. What you are getting are exactly what is shown in the pictures.
Also some parts that come with this engine are factory pieces. Included are a set of stamped steel rocker arms that come with this set of heads but personally, I wouldn’t use them just keep them for the collector side of things. Also a NOS set of GM Engine mounts are mounted up on the block. Not pressed onto the crank but comes with the deal is also a factory Harmonic Balancer & a NOS set of the low-profile Chrome Reproduction factory style Valve covers.
NOTE: For an additional fee & once the engine is paid for, I can help the buyer setup a turn key deal & complete the build. Not included in this sale, I still have all of the new & uninstalled upgraded engine parts, accessories, dress items, etc., that were purchased for the C2; this engine was going to be completed for install to be an everyday driver as well as a Power Tour type ride. I also have a new set of performance Aluminum heads we were going to go with, Roller Rockers, several different Hydraulic Roller camshaft kits, along with a few flat tappet kits for old school guys, several intake manifolds from Factory GM Aluminum performance to new & used aftermarket intakes to choose from, carb & even fuel injection options, accessory drive kits, dress out options, Transmission kits, etc., that a buyer could choose from or supply your own stuff if they wanted me to complete the build, test the engine & have it ready to install in your own Corvette. If wanted, paid for and agreed upon, if longblocked, I can run the engine on a test stand until the desired numbers are met, which includes compression, leak down & temperature runs. Of course when completed and ready for installations, all valves would be adjusted, base timing set, everything retorqued, leak checked, etc. Lastly, pictures of every stage and video of test sessions will be included if agreed upon.
The Buyer is responsible for all of the shipping/freight costs from crating to transport, which is not an inexpensive venture. For local delivery, which I prefer, I will bag, load and deliver it to a location within 100miles from zip 78010 for a nominal fee.
All machine work was professionally done for the build. I know I am missing some details but email me and I can answer any questions for serious inquiries. Thanks and God Bless.
