Need correct casting info 1969 Nova L34

[EZ Nova]

What would be the "correct" heads for my 1969 Nova 396/350 L-34 car. And intake too? I seem to think 215 casting are correct, and what about the intake, 3955287 I believe is correct.

Did GM ever make an alum intake for the oval port heads????

[SS69chevelle]

likely the 3931063 oval port heads and no aluminum manifold for oval port in 69. The 3931063 head was used on chevelle 325/350 hp engines for 1969. The intake for a chevelle was the 3931067. i checked my parts manual and it shows two manifolds for the Chevy II (Nova), Chevelle and Camaro and the part numbers are 3957996 exc Sp H/per and 3947084 W/Sp H/per, no mention of casting numbers in the manual.

[earntaz]

Yep -- the 063 heads where the first move toward "open chamber" heads. Spark plug side of combustion chamber was opened up a bit. TAZ

[EZ Nova]

Great thank you guys

[bbbentley]

3931067 on intake casting X3 on 063 heads

[EZ Nova]

Thanks Benny

[WILMASBOYL78]

<span style="font-style: italic">Did GM ever make an alum intake for the oval port heads????</span>

Yes...but only for the Corvette...there was a low profile QJ intake for the 390hp 427 and they made an oval port version of the tri-power setup as well.

-wilma

[EZ Nova]

Thanks Wilma. I knew of the tri-powers and not looking to go that route.

Just thinking out-of-the-box here. My '69 L-34 car is going ZL-1 for the near future. Doing some shuffling to get a '69 Vette for my &quot;052&quot; block ZL-1. Then, since I have basically a L-78 shortblock sitting, and my cars an original oval port car and not a square port car, so doing up a set of 063 for it with an OEM intake.

Have to see what my engine guy thinks? would like the 063 motor to make about 1.5Hp/inch??? He's always telling me that's a walk in the park with a BBc, so let's see. Would try the 427/390 intake and see where we are, but I also have a C396, Holley Strip Dom and Victor 454 oval port too.

[HawkX66]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: EZ Nova</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What would be the &quot;correct&quot; heads for my 1969 Nova 396/350 L-34 car. And intake too? I seem to think 215 casting are correct, and what about the intake, 3955287 I believe is correct. </div></div>
It depends when it was built. My L34 C JF motor was final assembled 7/28/69. Block is 3969854. Heads are 3964290. Intake is 3931067. Distributor is 1111498 and carb for a 4 spd is 7029215.

http://i1164.photobucket.com/albums/q573/SgtHawkUSMC/69%20Camaro%20SS396%20L34/69%20Engine%20350hp%20415%20lbft%20L34%20Motor/20130803_143337.jpg (http://s1164.photobucket.com/user/SgtHawkUSMC/media/69%20Camaro%20SS396%20L34/69%20Engine%20350hp%20415%20lbft%20L34%20Motor/20130803_143337.jpg.html)

http://i1164.photobucket.com/albums/q573/SgtHawkUSMC/69%20Camaro%20SS396%20L34/69%20Engine%20350hp%20415%20lbft%20L34%20Motor/20130803_143401.jpg (http://s1164.photobucket.com/user/SgtHawkUSMC/media/69%20Camaro%20SS396%20L34/69%20Engine%20350hp%20415%20lbft%20L34%20Motor/20130803_143401.jpg.html)

http://i1164.photobucket.com/albums/q573/SgtHawkUSMC/69%20Camaro%20SS396%20L34/69%20Engine%20350hp%20415%20lbft%20L34%20Motor/Intake%20and%20Carb/IMG_20150812_205205_1.jpg (http://s1164.photobucket.com/user/SgtHawkUSMC/media/69%20Camaro%20SS396%20L34/69%20Engine%20350hp%20415%20lbft%20L34%20Motor/Intake%20and%20Carb/IMG_20150812_205205_1.jpg.html)

http://i1164.photobucket.com/albums/q573/SgtHawkUSMC/69%20Camaro%20SS396%20L34/69%20Reference/Drive%20Train/7029215%204MV%20Carb/068_zps6710a337.jpg (http://s1164.photobucket.com/user/SgtHawkUSMC/media/69%20Camaro%20SS396%20L34/69%20Reference/Drive%20Train/7029215%204MV%20Carb/068_zps6710a337.jpg.html)

http://i1164.photobucket.com/albums/q573/SgtHawkUSMC/69%20Camaro%20SS396%20L34/69%20Engine%20350hp%20415%20lbft%20L34%20Motor/Motor%20accessories/Distributor%201111498/20141229_193209.jpg (http://s1164.photobucket.com/user/SgtHawkUSMC/media/69%20Camaro%20SS396%20L34/69%20Engine%20350hp%20415%20lbft%20L34%20Motor/Motor%20accessories/Distributor%201111498/20141229_193209.jpg.html)

[EZ Nova]

Thanks, Just when I thought I had it all figured out!!! LOL

Original motor is LONG gone, but would still like to keep it somewhat correct.

I do appreciate all the info guys. THANK YOU

[WILMASBOYL78]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: EZ Nova</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks Wilma. I knew of the tri-powers and not looking to go that route.

Just thinking out-of-the-box here. My '69 L-34 car is going ZL-1 for the near future. Doing some shuffling to get a '69 Vette for my &quot;052&quot; block ZL-1. Then, since I have basically a L-78 shortblock sitting, and my cars an original oval port car and not a square port car, so doing up a set of 063 for it with an OEM intake.

Have to see what my engine guy thinks? would like the 063 motor to make about 1.5Hp/inch??? He's always telling me that's a walk in the park with a BBc, so let's see. Would try the 427/390 intake and see where we are, but I also have a C396, Holley Strip Dom and Victor 454 oval port too. </div></div>

1.5hp/cid would be almost 600hp...a little optimistic IMHO. The general rule with BB's is 1hp/cid is pretty simple...with some massaging maybe 1.25. Don't rule out using the #163 intake on the oval ports...it will do well.

The 063 or 290 heads are excellent castings [kind of a semi-open chamber]...with larger valves and some mild port and chamber work they can flow pretty good. You add an L78 cam to that setup or maybe a tad more and you will easily hit 450hp.

Sounds like an interesting build...good luck.

-wilma

[EZ Nova]

Ya that's up there a bit, especially when you consider I would be using the oval port/intake combo.

I still have the short block from YEARS ago, but it's built to L-78 specs. I thought when we looked at the numbers, they were '70 LS-6 casting on the heads, but I think they were more likely 840's? Had the head ported by a friend in his backyard, nothing done to the intake, and a .660 of-the-shelf roller cam. I feel we were right in the 550Hp range with that. And what we know now compared to what we knew in the mid 90's when that motor was together, never know.

Now if end up doing this engine AGAIN, not sure if the new technology will get me there using the oval port top end? I know we could be close, and even if we only get say 1.2Hp inch, that would still put me in the 520Hp range, AND STILL LOOKING STOCK!

I also own the 427/433 in this article below:

http://www.maliburacing.com/patrick_budd_article.htm

That set-up when 10.40's in my '69 Nova. Never did run nitrous on it. Patrick KNEW when we talked me and my guys had a TON more knowledge then Lee did and we would have that car running fast. I was hoping to get some 10.10/10.20's out of it, but in the end, only went to the track twice with that 427 in my car. Maybe I should just put the heads, intake and cam from the 427 onto the 396 and see where I am??

[EZ Nova]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: WILMASBOYL78</div><div class="ubbcode-body">1.5hp/cid would be almost 600hp...a little optimistic IMHO. The general rule with BB's is 1hp/cid is pretty simple...with some massaging maybe 1.25. Don't rule out using the #163 intake on the oval ports...it will do well.

The 063 or 290 heads are excellent castings [kind of a semi-open chamber]...with larger valves and some mild port and chamber work they can flow pretty good. You add an L78 cam to that setup or maybe a tad more and you will easily hit 450hp.

Sounds like an interesting build...good luck.

-wilma </div></div>

Tom, this quote sorta got me thinking. Been looking around and EVERYONE seems to have a lot of HATE for the 396 once one goes more of the performance route for some reason? I've seen some pretty STOUT 396's online, (AND as you know EVERYTHING is true on line, I'm a french Bikini model LoL <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif ) I have heard of 700Hp 396's from Mark, and found a nice, REALLY NICE build by &quot;BIG&quot; Joe Sherman. 396 557Hp, PUMP GAS 91 octane 9.75 to one compression. LOOKING FOR the specs of that engine. I think Mark Jones might have them for some reason????

I know if I was to &quot;offer&quot; a 500Hp+ 396 that could run on pump gas I think it could sell?? A lot more cars came from the factory with 396's then came with 454 AND 427 combined I think.

[earntaz]

I had a bone stock (except for headers) in my 67' SS Chevelle. I bought that car new a Doc Stewart Chev in Clovis NM and installed headers on it as soon as they became available. It had a Holley and I think it was rated a 350 or 360 HP. Back in that day it ran pretty damn good -- the 396 had a lot of torque to drag that big old Chevelle. TAZ <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/burnout.gif