Rebuilding a Chevy 396 big block engine: the dirty details | Redline Rebuild Explained
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ย. 2024
- Watch the Redline Rebuild time-lapse video first: • Chevy big block 396 co...
You followed along with our new Redline Updates videos, but there were still a lot of questions about our big block 396 engine build. Once again we sit down and discuss the dirty details of our latest project. Mechanic extraordinaire Davin Reckow discusses topics from oil leaks to cam specs with Hagerty video guy Ben Woodworth, who mostly stays quiet in order to glean as much knowledge as possible of the wonderful art of engine building. Our 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS is back on the road now, but we've got more plans for it (limited slip differential anyone?).
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No such thing as too much detail when talking about engines! 👍
Please dont ruin this channel like motortrend did theirs! This is quickly becoming the best automotive YT channel.
I know right! very great good detail to the 100th is about right.
Best I've ever seen. I'm jealous I'm not a part of their team.
Aa-'s
@@FreeAmerica-sc9hu •zss
Man that’s one beautiful Camaro!
You guys are awesome. You explain things in detail and the correct way of putting things back in place. For someone like me that hasn’t worked on engines in a long time it gives me confidence to do it myself. Other videos show what they did but not how they did it. You show the entire process. Awesome. Mike
Where lucky these guys are even making videos like this as well as, the barnyard hunter 👍for free👍
Love these commentary/walk through videos.
Awesome! Thanks for watching.
This is better than the short build videos ! Now about the intake milling on that old intake..
Roller lifters allow engines to use heavier valve springs to close the valves quicker which means they can stay open longer to get more A/F mixture into the chamber. The downside is that heavier springs are harder on the valves and tend to wear out sooner so they have to be changed more often.
I woried, that maybe you were not going make the Rebuild Explained this time, because of the Redline Updates. Glad You guys made it, great video.
Another great build. Biggest reason I love this series vs. most other shows is the fact you don't toss a ton of high dollar aftermarket goodies in what you build!
Bill - Thank you for the kind words. Much more to come! Enjoy the ride.
The 396 is my favorite engine, as is both the Camaro, and the Chevelle. Excellent video. Very informative.
Great video. I take issue with two things. First his term "hone". When he refers to "hone" here the process he's taking about is boring. As in line boring - what she calls line honing. He also refers to honing the cylinders when actually the proper term is boring. Honing is the process of roughing up the cylinder, using a cross-hatch pattern, so that the piston rings can seat promptly and properly. He also refers to "line honing" the crank journals in the block. Honing doesn't happen there at all ever. Boring is the process of removing material to make something larger/straighter/rounder or to remove damage or all four. Namely the cylinder bores or the crank or the cam bore. You would line bore a block's crank/cam if the block had seasoned itself out of align or you've installed new main caps. The second issue is his reference to not wanting to line bore the block because it would create issues with the timing chain. Nope, won't happen. When you line bore a block you do not change the centerline of the bore you change the size (and of course align the main journals in relationship to each other).
You two guys are impressive engine rebuilders. The experience and attention to details is awesome.
Makes me want to send my 1970 GMC C2500 to you. It's 50 yo this month and I've had it for 44. It was built at the Fremont, CA plant. The original owner ordered it with a 396 and a turbo 400 trans. Over the years I've had the engine rebuilt to a 402 and just had the trans rebuilt.
Wish I could get the engine updated with more hp. It's pretty much stock and so is the rest of the truck.
Interest has increased expensionally. Great job.
Flat tappet cams are not really "flat". They are ground with a slope on the lobes, and the lifters are ground with a convex grind on the bottom. They only appear to be flat. This is what promotes the lifter to spin while the engine is being ran.
Flat bottom lifters have about a .005” dome ground on them and the cam lobe is ground with about a .002” or .003” bevel.... not only that the cam lobes are slightly offset so as to allow a better spin on the lifter... in a worn engine that spinning action starts to go away... the slide of the action of those worn or “flattened” parts wears the lobe and lifter rather quickly....
You guys team up really nice. Keep up the fantastic job. Thank you for another great video!
My 1st car in 1972 was a 69 SS/RS 396 4 Speed Posi Camaro. Paid $2,200.00 for it. The guy that owned it was in the newly formed Northern Calif Z-28 Asociación in San Jose Ca and was killed in Nam. My older brother was in the club too with a 1970 Z-28 w/427 Rat 4 speed. I had a Blue and Black 69 Mach 1 Mustang 4 Speed in my parents driveway test driving it. My brother called me and said "CHUCK" get down here right now I found a killer car. Had my 69 for 10+ years did all sorts of mods. I sold it for $4.000.00 during the odd/even gas crunch in like 1982-83. Dumbest thing I did in my whole life !!! I loved that car more than anything in my life !!! It was hugger Orange with a yellow pearl clear coat w/SS black stripes. One of the very very 1st Pearl Orange Cars anywhere !!! I had the block punched out w/12to1s pistons, custom headers, radical Cam, Accel Ignition, high rise tarantula intake... the 750 Holley set at an angle "/"... still makes me sick... The biggest reason I had to sell it... was to many tickets. I remember 1 time I took the trunk lid off and put my newly just out ATC 110 up on the back with lol with the ATC tires in the trunk and the front tire on the window and went down to Pismo Beach with my brother n buddy's w/ are sand rails... so many more stories...
Too soon old ... much too late wise ... what a shame.
Good to see such professional work explained so well. Thanks.
You guys are awesome. Love the show. I’ve always been a car guy but never learned all of the in depth technical stuff about engines. Keep em comin!!
You are number one in my book.
Great job guys. Always interesting, fun, informative and entertaining to watch. Thanks!!
Great video, I really appreciate the detailed commentary that goes with each build. Any chance you would consider a Redline rebuild of a modern Japanese motor? Please keep them coming!
FULL DISCLOSURE: I'M NOT A MECHANIC OR PLANNING ON DOING ENGINE WORK BUT THESE VIDEOS ARE SO INTERESTING THAT I CAN'T LOOK AWAY
Makes sense! Make everything seal tight. An engine can breath better. Bringing life were life needs. Great work more knowledge, More!
Saw a 69 on a trailer just the other day:) the back half was on needing body work, the motor looked rebuilt and frame shinny. I want a 69 with a 302!
Your an incredible mechanic. The work you do is so professional. The film work is absolutely amazing too.👍🏻
Awesome videos! This is my first comment ever on a youtube channel. You guys deserve credit where credits due for the amount of patience it takes to make these videos.
Also if you end up finding a camaro z28 302 V-8 i wouldnt mind watching that video 👍
But 396 engines don't seem to get rebuilt and used very often. They were beasts on the dragstrips, but everyone seemed to forget them when the 400s and 454 came out. I was younger and going to strip, or watching them on TV. Blown 396s were terrors back then!
Running a 572 Chevy blueprinted and a roller cam Fuel Injection Engine Dynoed 894hp @ 5600 rpm.
yes the smog/air pump does take a couple of horse power to turn, the diverter valve can fail and make the engine backfire very loudly, the check valves can fail in a couple different ways, but ask a guy who has had a car with a working smog/air pump system if he has ever had to put exhaust pipes, mufflers or tailpipes on his car, the answer is usually 'no, I never have had to replace any of the exhaust system', the one benefit of this system is that it heats up the exhaust system getting rid of the water that collects in it, minimizing the formation of rust, thus greatly increasing the life of the exhaust system, I wouldn't necessarily install this system on my car but I wouldn't remove a working system either, it does have a benefit
I enjoyed the whole video Thanks, guys! Please rebuild a 302HO I would love to see that video. I did own 1983 Mustang 302/5.0L HO LX T-5 tranny, I changed the carburetor to a Carter 650cfm, installed Niehoff Racing wire set, Bosh Platinum quad 4 spark plugs, Gold series cap & rotor, MSD Ignition coil, used Quaker State High Mileage 10-40 oil, replaced the intake gaskets, water pump, Front & Rear seal (didn't have to but did it anyway) Energizer 850 cold-cranking amp Battery, after that @ idle it just purred I know I gained HP I noticed it from before, I didn't like the stock Holley 4180C, diaphragm kept leaking fuel. I wish I still owned it but the A-Frame started rusting too much didn't notice it until I had to have a FULL insurance inspection. My ultimate wish is to rebuild a 302/5.0L HO.
Great great video! I, too, am building a 396 for my dodge durango. Yea, die hard mopar fan with a chevy engine, my grandfather gave it to me before he passed away! I will be purchasing another oldschool Chevy to put it in after the durango!
I beg to differ, this was a ressurection. 1st repairing the wrecked front end & 2nd curing the oil consumption /fouling & 3rd bumping the power with sound hot rodding. Keep up the great work & now onto that"nailhead"!
Looks like you actually advanced the timing to get it to run. One day I'll show you my trick to set the timing before you even crank the engine, guaranteed to fire on the first crank.
This video and similar, is a great tool fro learning to build. Not many others are this in depth.
Thanks for posting this.
I cannot do this but it is valuable for emergencies.
That Skid mark only on the right made me think of the old style Posi traction
No coffeetabel! Good Job, nice vid guys, thanks!
Always nice to see the process with comments.
Up to the next one, cheers!!
Yeah!!!! Very Good!!!! I am very impressed with the beauty of this engine. You are to be congratulated for the excellent work.
That is why the M22 was called the "rock crusher."
Lmao! Omg only 2 quarts in a big block!? I'm pretty sure that'll definitely void the manufacturer warranty! Talk about putting away flogged and dripping wet,wow! Put in a Center Force clutch and maybe check the oil a tad more often and hey,it may even last a few years before the next rebuild. Lol! 2 quarts lol,i just can't get over that,oh well. Thanks for taking us along guys. ▪☆☆☆▪
Another great video! Thanks for the follow up commentary on the build!
i’m going to save the urge of watching this now so tomorrow i can watch it at work and get paid too
You got one of those jobs that you actually smile as your driving to work! Me too.....
Just discovered this channel and very helpful very happy. Thank you.
Not reusing the Quadrajet because of the availability of jets is a cop out. Every parts store in the US will have rebuild kits and changing the secondaries is as simple as removing one screw and selecting the right hanger and rods. The Q-Jet is much better for actual driveability than the Holley.
Fantastic forensic review of the the dead motor doctor! Quality work and parts costs money, so no belly aching when it's time restore what ever. Don't skimp.
Hagerty usually overdoes stuff and spends like it's corporate advertising and customer-relations. (Gosh, I guess it IS..!)
But my chief complaint is that the wrench-guy NEVER found a root cause of the oil consumption and running dry. If he didn't accidentally fix the root cause, the problem will recur in a bit .. maybe another few years.
That's gooood TV !!
26:50 some engines were built with "Select fit" bearings. The crankshaft would be measured as it leaves the factory, then several different bearings would exist for each minor difference. If you owned such a car and could buff the crankshaft, you would need to re-measure and get a different set of select fit bearings. This is common on Nissan and Toyota engines.
I really enjoyed this indepth video however was wondering if you had a parts list in case someone wanted a similar build thanks for the time you took to educate me and others in this video
the 67 to me was the best lookin
My only complaint is.. we didn't get to hear the car running after it was all put together!! Should have heard the run out of the garage, and then the burnout!! Other than that, great video!!
10.2:1 compression ratio is okay for 92 octane pump gas that can be had at most stations. Mine was bored .030 over = 402 ci, and the only pistons I could find for it were Federal Mogul cast.
I like to see an Oil filter on
Awesome video guys. I might even watch it again!!!!
About align honing the mains. I agree that it does not usually need to be done, but they should be checked, especially if the engine was overheated.
I built my first 350 10yrs ago and had timing 180 out too after priming the oil pump... I had a flat tappet cam and was so worried I ruined it cause I had a hard time getting it fired... here I was on #6 too lol.
Buckled up and ready to enjoy this bad boy.
Ive been enjoying the behind the scenes videos like these, but I would also like to see details about making the videos, like how you do those cool stop motion scenes and stuff.
This was awesome. Excellent work gentlemen! I appreciate the why as well as the how. Just a great wealth of information. Looking forward to the next one!
A joy to watch!
This was exactly what I wanted to see. Awesome vid. Thanks guys. 👍
Can’t wait to see leaf on the trees.
That 396 would look good with a 427-400 3 deuce manifold.
As always, great job guys!
Guys, thoroughly enjoyed this video especially the back and forth between the both of you. Insightful questions asked with clear informative answers given. Kudos to the both of you!
I'm new to your channel and looking forward to your future videos as well as watching some of the older ones.
Could you, however, get fatter/brighter? laser points and hold them just a bit longer on what ever you are pointing out?
Ben & Davin, I’ve enjoyed watching both of you guys work. I love seeing Davin wrenching and I also enjoy seeing behind the scenes of Ben’s camera work and time-lapse set-ups. Keep up the great work!
Why did you skip completely over the fitment of the cam button. That’s a major major trim and clearance not even mentioned. These are the very things I personally need further details on. Please explain in detail on a future build. Many beginners will be extremely happy
Big block beauty
Fantastic video, keep them coming!
Wow that's pretty ballsy given your machinist the plug like he's building Motors but maybe you got some free work out of the plug, your boss must really love you because if I would have said something like that maybe I would have been looking for a new job just busting your balls man you guys got good videos and you do good work always cheers Brothers
Rebuild either a Ford FE block or a 429/460 block next.
Awesome! Nice job! Love the video like always!
Awesome. You have a new subscriber. I'll likely be doing a 388 stroker at .30 over so near the same CI but a lighter small block.
Love your work, can you explain what is meant when a Pontiac 400 cu in is said to be internally balanced and why it cannot be rebuilt. Thanks for your time
10:16 It might be that the heads had been decked to raise the compression but they didn't match the new angle on the intake.
21:28 yep, it's been decked. Watching to see if you do the intake, otherwise that lower edge will not seal proper.
Precisely what I commented to the wrench-guy on during his series of short rebuild stages videos. It's now pretty clear that the oil problem is the geometry of the heads, block and intake not matching up. I don't think he ever found it.
Nicely done.
Awesome video keep them up guys!!!
Great video!!! Really appreciate your time and effort in explaining the process in the rebuild. The other video was fun to watch but this explanation video of that video is very helpful.
( p.s. thank you for not dissing the quadrajet carb too bad. Just had mine rebuilt to keep my '84 big block 454 original..... Even with air pump) :)
Never realized you guys were in Traverse City!
I'm not a chevy fan, but this Maro is fine!
I blame all damage on Pennzoil
Nice vid! Yeah, I gotta get my LSD put in too.
Nice build
G-Body Garage can say a lot about the Quadra jet and I can tell you if just the tiniest thing is done wrong...
i think its bad loose valve guides sucking oil from around valve stem
I kept waiting for the two robots to start making snarky comments and throwing popcorn...
its called balance & blue print an engine..
you guys didnt line bore the block i think that is the most important thing to do if its perfect the crank will free wheel when spun by hand if block got hot cause of 2 quarts oil it has a good possibility that the line bore is off in the mains causeing crank to bind when torquednice work on the rest of the build though
They are a monsters.... simply...
#nofiticationsquad is here!!!!!
What coating did you use on exhaust please again, thanks
Me gustan mucho los vídeos saludos desde Colombia
Nice job, enjoy your videos, always interesting and informative, look forward to seeing more ..... 👍🏻😀
Shouldn't the timing chain be lubed before it is installed?
At 1:26:00 he is pointing at wet spots made by the left steer tire that rolled though a puddle at 1:25:40. Sorry this bugged me.
set lobe centers just like you find exact top dead center but how do you adjust anything without a jesel belt drive on cam ?
Do you have the fundamental build & design specs for this motor?
yeah Fix that problem hahaha
Nice video, I learned a lot !
Great video. I was hoping this was out when I got back from my underway. Quick question though. I have a DOHC V-8. Would I get more "bang for my buck" from just swapping out the four cams or chucking some kind of forced induction system on it? I mainly off road and I'm going to go from a 3.93 to a 4.88 rear diff with air locker.
Do you change the break-in oil and filter after the 20 minute break in?
Do yall have a list of everything you used to rebuild this engine?
Another awesome build! These wrap-up videos are the best part, so much information 👍🏻 thanks for the great content
You guys ought to rebuild a 6bt cummins or a 7.3 Powerstroke.