[scottyo]

I have a 1971 stone stock SS 396 Camaro. The body is done and I'm now getting ready to take on the engine. If it has ever been done it was many, many years ago. I plan to pull it, tear it down, inspect it and do whatever machining is required. I only want to do this once so I want to do it right. I would also like to get more performance out if it, above the stock 300 H.P. I'm considering new pistons to increase the CR (open chamber 113 cc heads) and also a cam (want to stay hydraulic), nothing too radical. It is a 4 speed car with a 3:42 posi that only gets driven on nice weekends. With all of this being said what would you seasoned veterans recommend?

Thanks in advance for your insight!

[streetrodderbn]

I would not go above 10 :1 compression if you are staying with the iron heads on the street, the new cam profiles available are great for more streetable compression. stick with something you can run at cruise nite unless you are building a strict drag car!and for **** sake, don't make it a garage queen!!!

[T-bucket23]

I would compression test the engine pull a valve cover an see if it looks like the oil was changed regularly. If it looks ok and runs without knocking, I would just run it. There is no sense in tearing apart a good engine, waste of time and money.

[scottyo]

Originally Posted by T-bucket23

I would compression test the engine pull a valve cover an see if it looks like the oil was changed regularly. If it looks ok and runs without knocking, I would just run it. There is no sense in tearing apart a good engine, waste of time and money.

It's 40 years old, goes through a quart of oil every 300-350 miles, so much blow by that clean oil is dirty in 600 miles, even with new oil added. It's a solid, numbers matching car that needs the engine rebuilt. I want to stay factory appearance with some power upgrades. Just not sure which power upgrades. Looking for input.

[T-bucket23]

Yep, thats not good. Guess a rebuild is in order

[wwilliams181]

If you are going to tear it down, you should look into converting to a hydraulic Roller cam. Money spent definately out ways the worry or headache of the enevitable cam failure. You know what they say about BBC's and Aftermarket cams...........it's not if they will go down but it' s when will they go down. just saying....