Re: 1965 Impala BBC Stocker Update
 

This is what my 396/325 motor looks like after sitting in a shed behind my brothers house in South Carolina for a bunch of years. Now in Jimi Vignogna's shop. Block is junk, cracked deck from water left in with freezing temps plus cylinders rusty. Will use rotating assembly in new block. Heads good.

Will Lamprecht 65 Impala I/SA in progress.

Re: 1965 Impala BBC Stocker Update
 

I haven't posted any updates on the car car so here are some pics and where I am at. Being financially challenged I knew it was going to be a slower build. As of now I need:

1) Motor - took my 396/325 motor apart, block turned out to be junk with crack but rotating assembly is OK so I got another block which is at Vignogna Performance to be machined. Engine in car is a bare block 454 and heads just to mock up.
I also need a Distributor and want to go with a Holley 600 for this year so need manifold and carb.

2) Driveshaft - the one I had in my 68 is too short plus slip yoke was for the Jerico

3) Front tires - I have some but are older and have some dry rot, don't want to trust that.

Car is all wired with MSD 7AL-2 up on inside firewall passenger side. 2 step wired off a brake pressure switch. Turbo 350 installed with a strut bar I fabricated to clamp back half and have a 4500 stall converter. 4:88's in car now, but have a set of 4:56's . We will see.
Plus i need to cover seats and some other minor details.

I am going to try lettering car myself with gold leaf. I dob't want vinyl on car, want to keep nostalgia theme.

I really can't wait to go racing!
GO YANKEES!

Will Lamprecht 65 Impala I/SA 396/325 Div 1

Re: 1965 Impala BBC Stocker Update
 

Don't give up!! You have done so much at this point and it is a worthy work you are doing. Good job!

Re: 1965 Impala BBC Stocker Update
 

Looks great! Got to love a red interior.

Rick Thomason
GTOMayhem

Re: 1965 Impala BBC Stocker Update
 

My new 396 Big Block Chevy block being decked at Vignogna Performance First aligned hone, now decked to minimum NHRA specs to keep compression up. Will be bored and honed starting tommorow, .060 to fit the CP pistons. NHRA accepted. Vignogna Performance did my first 396/325 BBC Stock Eliminator motor pushing my 4100 lb 68 Impala to 11.70 This motor will use that rotating assembly and same heads and Bullit Cam.

Re: 1965 Impala BBC Stocker Update
 

Finished boring the 396 Stock Eliminator motor by Vignogna Performance by James Vignogna Jim Aligned Honed, decked now bored, heading for the final honing on the Sunnen.

Re: 1965 Impala BBC Stocker Update
 

Did you fill the block? What casting number? Did you sonic test the block?
I have a database of 396 blocks and their characteristics.

Re: 1965 Impala BBC Stocker Update
 

So you guys calculated the exact amount to deck the block?

Re: 1965 Impala BBC Stocker Update
 

Answers to last 2 post.

Dwight the block was not filled but passed sonic testing. I don't have casting # om me but know it is a 1965-1966 block. Has ungrooved rear cam journal, we will groove the cam I have. Also have canister type oil filter, will get adapter for spin on.

Mark yes we did. Basically cam up with same deck height the original 396 had. I will be using the rotating assembly from that motor too.
Will

Re: 1965 Impala BBC Stocker Update
 

Will - Probably a 961 block. I have found those to be mostly good. At least they don't have the core tilt I have found in a lot of the '67-'69 blocks. Good luck!

Re: 1965 Impala BBC Stocker Update
 

I've got 3 2 bolt main 396 blocks out in my store room. I'll look at and write down the numbers and we'll ID what they are. You got me curious.Isn't there a grooved rear cam bearing available to enable the use of the later cam in the early block? I know that a 409 has a grooved rear journal on the camshaft itself.That must be where they got that from on the early 396.

Re: 1965 Impala BBC Stocker Update
 

Two of the three blocks are # 3855961. Both have fully grooved rear cam bearings.The other block is #3969854. It has also a later screw on oil filter,the other two have canister type filters.

Re: 1965 Impala BBC Stocker Update
 

3855961 blocks are '65-'66 396. Interestingly, some '66 427's also had this casting
number.

3969854 is a '69 396 and was also used in the '70-'72 402's.

Re: 1965 Impala BBC Stocker Update
 

In my records, I have recorded three 961 2-bolt blocks that sonic checked over .250" thick cylinder walls.

Re: 1965 Impala BBC Stocker Update
 

I remember reading about the 396 375 horse 4 bolt main block being "dual purpose,"that meant, 396 or 427. It had some massively thick walls, in one case, one was bored out to 4.3150 and used a standard 409 ring. Imagine a 440 inch 396 coming at you! The later block I have was a 70 402. It had 290 small plug heads, the flat intake, and a cast crank.

Re: 1965 Impala BBC Stocker Update
 

I don't have much good to say about the later blocks.

Re: 1965 Impala BBC Stocker Update
 

Been a long time coming, near the finish line. Over 3 years now, best I can do on a limited budget. 396 Shortblock done, finish heads. Then driveshaft has to be made.

Plan is August

Will Lamprecht
Div 1 I/SA 65 Impala 396/325

Re: 1965 Impala BBC Stocker Update
 

WOW!
The car looks AWESOME ! I love it .

Re: 1965 Impala BBC Stocker Update
 

Looks fantastic!

Re: 1965 Impala BBC Stocker Update
 

That car is awesome!

Re: 1965 Impala BBC Stocker Update
 

Looks fantastic Will. I've always liked that body style.

Re: 1965 Impala BBC Stocker Update
 

You and Carl should be very proud of what you have accomplished. Now let's get 'er done and to the track !😎

Re: 1965 Impala BBC Stocker Update
 

Noticed I am on page 3 now of the build thread, time for a update. Here are some pics I just posted on FB I was unable to get out last year with my Impala , been putting my tow vehicle together, next will be a trailer, but will be out this year! Don't forget, low buck here..do everything myself. Here is the the blurb i also posted on FB:

Racing Update.. Work on my 1977 Chevrolet PU tow vehicle coming along. Not a restoration, just refurbished to be mechanically sound for long trips pulling my 65 Impala Stock Eliminator car. New brakes, brake lines, hoses, radiator, power steering and hydra boost hoses, rebuilt carb, new plugs, wires, cap ect, clutch, fuel pump, pulled gas tanks out, cleaned with new fuel lines. Driveway paint job with single stage Urethane black paint. New front fenders ordered next will be new tires. Did not touch 350 engine, the truck has only 107K miles on it. When I did pull the intake, push rods were super clean, no varnish anywhere. The truck has been owned by 3 racers including me, and has been well taken care of, I am excited..next a trailer, but looks super promising I will be out this year!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater

Will Lamprecht
65 Impala 396/325 HP I/SA
Div 1 (no number yet..but soon)