I have found a Chevy 396 that I would like to purchase for my 69 Chevelle but the guy selling it thinks it came out of a truck. My question is. Is there a difference between a Chevy 396 truck engine and the 396 car engine? From what I have ready about the Chevy 396, I have not found any information confirming that there is a difference between the two. Can anyone help me?

Go here to confirm. http://www.mortec.com/bbc.htm

I do know the 427 truck block had a taller deck height than the car 427 block, but I am not sure about the 396.

Vince

No difference.....The reason he is stating truck is probably the fact that it original came in a truck/pickup. Could be 2 or 4 bolt main. Anything BBC will bolt up or on to it.

Tall deck 427s only came in industrial vehicles... IE.. dump truck,ect

If I remember correct... 64 or 65 year model 396's had to have a special cam do to an oil passage or somthing. Don't quote me on the date. I do remember one of them needed a cam with an oil groove.

It will probably have truck heads which will have a bigger combustion chamber, so you'll have to make changes to get the compression you need for high performance. Domed pistons would be a good option.

Agreed... the "T" block with the tall deck came in 366 and 427 only. If its a 396 truck, then its just a normal-deck 396 installed in a truck.