Looking at 1968 NASCAR Darlington, what's up with FORD 396 Cu In motor's

[Qikbbstang]

In the old video (link below) it's kind of a bitch to catch the displacement's on the hoods but looked like every Ford I could see (at least three) all had 396 Cu In and one Mopar I noted had a 405 Cu In.

First of all what bore x stroke combo did the builders use to come up with 396 CU IN?.....................
 I'm thinking you want to use a 427 block w/4-bolt main's, perhaps  std bore to maximize the size valves/breathing but you'd be playing absolute hell with the added rev's on the tiny stroke required with the 427s bore to make it back down 396 Cu In.

Second why it appears there are the different displacement limits for Mopar 405 and Ford 396?.... Rules?


Warning Video not Politically Correct
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR1Y6C5Dguc

[BruceS]

If you use a 3.50 stroke, a la 352 with a 4.230 bore (actually 4.245 allowing some overbore) you'll get pretty close to 396.  I think NASCAR allowed the TP and/or 2x4V induction if the engines were smaller.  Don't know why MoPar and Ford had different displacements though...

Cale and David were 2 of the all time greats!  Looked like Petty had some motor issues that day. 

Bruce

[Heo]

The wrecked 66-67 Fairlane have 427 on the hood

[Katz427]

Nascar was playing with displacement limits and came up with the idea of allowing smaller displacement engines a lighter weight. It was a long time ago but I believe at 396 the fairlanes could run around 3500 lbs or about 250 less than a 427 car. It did help fuel mileage a bit , but mainly tires and brakes. I think part of this was to try to entice GM to return to racing offically. Most don't remember (or were not born yet ) that the GM chairman was made to look like a total jacka** in front of a Congressional hearing on auto safety and the government was threatening to nationalise the whole auto industry. So the deal was short lived. I only can remember Bobby Allison running a short track Chevelle that took advantage of the rules. GM was not interested and Most had figured a way to circumvent the rules anyway and the experiment was forgotten. The engines were 427' with steel 3.5 stroke crankshafts. However some had already figured out how to fool the displacement P&G checking device into thinking a 427 was a 396. Lots of creative people.

[thatdarncat]

A reply to BB's question from C5HM on the other forum. I love the picture of the Bud Moore Cyclone - when stock cars were still relatively stock, right down to the emblems attached to the fenders. Link here:

http://www.network54.com/Forum/74182/thread/1461503911/last-1461503911/View+Thread

[Katz427]

Wow! Bud Moore's old comet. That car was neat and ran really well.
The unique thing was it still had all of the original unitbody, no front stub frame like the Fairlanes had after that. At Darlington that year a medium riser with 2-4bbls. The car was well driven by Darrel Derringer and he won the Southern 500. I do not know who came up with the stub frame idea, I had heard that it was Jr. Johnson. Maybe Dr. John knows?

[BruceS]

How about Holman-Moody for the Galaxie stub frame idea on Fairlanes / Comets?  I read that somewhere, I think it was the H-M book.

Bruce

[thatdarncat]

How about Holman-Moody for the Galaxie stub frame idea on Fairlanes / Comets?  I read that somewhere, I think it was the H-M book.

Bruce

Keep following Dr. John C's post linked also above. His knowledge and documentation on this subject is great. Here's your answer:

http://www.network54.com/Forum/74182/message/1461541817/Not+so

[Katz427]

The first Fairlane I saw with the stub frame was Gordon Johncock's and he was driving for Jr. Johnson. I always believed that is how the idea came about. I could be wrong. I believe all the chassis came from Holman Moody. Ralph Moody may have come up with the idea, maybe even Bud Moore? I had heard back then that Jr. Johnson liked the way the Galaxie handled at speed and he suggested "why not use what we already have"? I bet Dr. John may have some idea with documents who was the originator. Maybe one of you who frequent the other fe forum can ask him.

[Katz427]

I am thinking about this..then it hit me "Banjo Mathews"! I remember some people refer to it as a Banjo Mathews chassis. He drove for HM and did contract work for them when he retired from driving.