Did you ever hear of a Ford 396 engine? Sounds more like a Chevelle SS doesn’t it? How about a Darlington winning NASCAR 396 Ford engine? Watch and listen closely to this video of David Pearson’s blue and gold winning Ford!
In the 1968 NASCAR season David went on to win the Championship for himself and Ford.
Many thanks go out to Tim Lopata for allowing us to edit down his video for use on this site.
The 396 is NOT a bored out 390. Its a destroked 427 side-oiler. And with its shorter stroke it could rev higher then the 427 and produced 55hp more then the 427 Mk II NASCAR engine. The stroke was reduced from 3.784 to 3.514 with the use of a forge steel crank. This in theory allowed the engine to rev 450rpm more then the 427, but dyno engineers quoted it to be closer to 600rpms more. The same 427 rods were used and new pistons were designed with a pin to crown height increase of .137 over the standard 427 piston. There were other changes but I want get into that.