396 Pistons

PitStop · Jan 22, 2001

I have a 1969 396/375 hp. the block and heads casting numbers check out. I bought this already rebuild, when I pulled the heads it has flat top pistons. The local speed shop says I have the wrong pistons and they should have a dome top. Does anyone know if the orinal factory pistons were flat top or not?

johnnyr · Jan 23, 2001

The pistons that were in my 67 396/325 were domed with the closed chamber heads

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Johnny 1967 RS/SS 396 Camaro

bruce69camaro · Jan 23, 2001

the pistons in my 1970 396/402, had domes, with open chamber heads. in fact, i still have them, on the rods. do you want to buy used pistons ????
just joking.
a friend of mine had a 68 ss chevelle, with a 396. he bought the wrong pistons. somewhere close to that year, they mad two designs of pistons for the 396. i don't know what the difference was though, but he had to buy a first design set of pistons for this 396/325hp engine, because summit sold him the wrong design.
hope this helps.
bruce

jimbird · Jan 23, 2001

i have 2 396's and both of them have dome pistons with closed chambered heads. as a matter of fact all the 396's i've ever seen have the dome pistons. even the 30 over. jimbird

pipeman · Jan 23, 2001

I thought that if you mixed dome type pistons with closed chamber heads, crunch, the piston would hit the head. Wasn't there some type of semi closed head also.

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69 rallye green X77 Z/28,1967 SS 396 Conv. 1974 c-10 454 swb

PitStop · Jan 23, 2001

Thanks for the info.
Casting numbers on the head is 3964291 which if I got the right info are rect port closed chamber. With flat top piston i'll have less compression, does that mean its going to be a real pig?

396 Pistons

PitStop

johnnyr

bruce69camaro

jimbird

pipeman

PitStop

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