Engine profile

Chevrolet L78 396ci Turbo-Jet V8

Mark IV big-block · 396 cubic inches · Chevrolet

Source card summarizing 1966 L78 396/375 hp engine specifications. 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78

Engine Summary

Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Family: Mark IV big-block
Displacement: 396 cubic inches

Also Known As

1966 Chevelle L78 396/375hp1966 Chevelle Turbo-Jet 396 L781966 Chevelle RPO L78 3961966 Chevelle SS 396 L781966 Chevelle 396 cubic inch 375 horsepower V81967 Chevelle L78 396/375hp1967 Chevelle Turbo-Jet 396 L781967 Chevelle 396 cubic inch 375 horsepower V81967 SS396 L78 396/375 hp1967 Chevelle RPO L78 3961969 Chevelle L78 396/375hp1969 Chevelle Turbo-Jet 396 L781969 Chevelle RPO L78 3961969 Chevelle SS 396 L781969 Chevelle 396 cubic inch 375 horsepower V81969 Camaro L78 396/375hp1969 Camaro Turbo-Jet 396 L781969 Camaro RPO L78 3961969 Camaro SS 396 L781969 Camaro 396 cubic inch 375 horsepower V81969 Nova L78 396/375hp1969 Nova Turbo-Jet 396 L781969 Nova SS 396 L78396 Special Hi-performance396/375 hp L781968 Nova L78 396/375hp1968 Nova Turbo-Jet 396 L781968 Nova SS 396 L781968 Chevy II Nova SS L78396 V8 4V L78396cid 375hp w/manualMQ 396cid 375hp w/manualMQ - 396cid (375hp) w/manual

Identification reference

Engine Details

Source-backed component numbers, codes, stampings, and application notes.

Air cleaner type

Value: Oil-wetted paper element
Application: 1967 Chevelle 396 cu in 375 hp optional L78 engine
Type: air cleaner / specification
Car pages: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78

Sources: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle AMA Specifications - 396 CID 375 HP

Cylinder block material

Value: Cast alloy iron
Application: 1967 Chevelle 396 cu in 375 hp optional L78 engine
Type: block / specification
Car pages: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78

Sources: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle AMA Specifications - 396 CID 375 HP

Camshaft location

Value: In block above crankshaft
Application: 1967 Chevelle 396 cu in 375 hp optional L78 engine
Type: camshaft / specification
Car pages: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78

Sources: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle AMA Specifications - 396 CID 375 HP

Camshaft material

Value: Cast alloy iron
Application: 1967 Chevelle 396 cu in 375 hp optional L78 engine
Type: camshaft / specification
Car pages: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78

Sources: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle AMA Specifications - 396 CID 375 HP

Connecting rod length

Value: 6.130-6.140 in center-to-center
Application: 1967 Chevelle 396 cu in 375 hp optional L78 engine
Type: connecting rod / specification
Car pages: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78

Sources: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle AMA Specifications - 396 CID 375 HP

Connecting rod material

Value: Drop forged steel
Application: 1967 Chevelle 396 cu in 375 hp optional L78 engine
Type: connecting rod / specification
Car pages: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78

Sources: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle AMA Specifications - 396 CID 375 HP

Connecting rod weight

Value: 27.84 oz
Application: 1967 Chevelle 396 cu in 375 hp optional L78 engine
Type: connecting rod / specification
Car pages: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78

Sources: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle AMA Specifications - 396 CID 375 HP

Crankshaft material

Value: Forged steel
Application: 1967 Chevelle 396 cu in 375 hp optional L78 engine
Type: crankshaft / specification
Car pages: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78

Sources: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle AMA Specifications - 396 CID 375 HP

Cylinder head material

Value: Cast alloy iron
Application: 1967 Chevelle 396 cu in 375 hp optional L78 engine
Type: cylinder head / specification
Car pages: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78

Sources: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle AMA Specifications - 396 CID 375 HP

Compression ratio

Value: 11.0:1 nominal
Application: 1967 Chevelle 396 cu in 375 hp optional L78 engine
Type: engine assembly / specification
Car pages: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78

Sources: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle AMA Specifications - 396 CID 375 HP

Engine type and valve arrangement

Value: 90-degree OHV V-8
Application: 1967 Chevelle 396 cu in 375 hp optional L78 engine
Type: engine assembly / specification
Car pages: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78

Sources: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle AMA Specifications - 396 CID 375 HP

Firing order

Value: 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Application: 1967 Chevelle 396 cu in 375 hp optional L78 engine
Type: engine assembly / specification
Car pages: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78

Sources: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle AMA Specifications - 396 CID 375 HP

Nominal bore

Value: 4.094 in
Application: 1967 Chevelle 396 cu in 375 hp optional L78 engine
Type: engine assembly / specification
Car pages: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78

Sources: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle AMA Specifications - 396 CID 375 HP

Nominal stroke

Value: 3.76 in
Application: 1967 Chevelle 396 cu in 375 hp optional L78 engine
Type: engine assembly / specification
Car pages: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78

Sources: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle AMA Specifications - 396 CID 375 HP

Piston displacement

Value: 396 cu in
Application: 1967 Chevelle 396 cu in 375 hp optional L78 engine
Type: engine assembly / specification
Car pages: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78

Sources: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle AMA Specifications - 396 CID 375 HP

Published maximum brake horsepower

Value: 375 bhp @ 5600 rpm
Application: 1967 Chevelle 396 cu in 375 hp optional L78 engine
Type: engine assembly / specification
Car pages: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78

AMA note states published horsepower and torque are corrected to 60 degrees F and 29.92 in. Hg atmospheric pressure.

Sources: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle AMA Specifications - 396 CID 375 HP

Published maximum torque

Value: 415 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm
Application: 1967 Chevelle 396 cu in 375 hp optional L78 engine
Type: engine assembly / specification
Car pages: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78

AMA note states published horsepower and torque are corrected to 60 degrees F and 29.92 in. Hg atmospheric pressure.

Sources: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle AMA Specifications - 396 CID 375 HP

Recommended fuel

Value: Premium
Application: 1967 Chevelle 396 cu in 375 hp optional L78 engine
Type: engine assembly / specification
Car pages: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78

Sources: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle AMA Specifications - 396 CID 375 HP

Fuel pump type

Value: Mechanical
Application: 1967 Chevelle 396 cu in 375 hp optional L78 engine
Type: fuel pump / specification
Car pages: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78

Sources: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle AMA Specifications - 396 CID 375 HP

Vibration damper type

Value: Rubber mounted inertia damper
Application: 1967 Chevelle 396 cu in 375 hp optional L78 engine
Type: harmonic balancer / specification
Car pages: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78

Sources: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle AMA Specifications - 396 CID 375 HP

Spark plug make

Value: AC Spark Plug
Application: 1967 Chevelle 396 cu in 375 hp optional L78 engine
Type: ignition / specification
Car pages: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78

Sources: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle AMA Specifications - 396 CID 375 HP

Piston description

Value: Domed head; slipper skirt
Application: 1967 Chevelle 396 cu in 375 hp optional L78 engine
Type: piston / specification
Car pages: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78

Sources: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle AMA Specifications - 396 CID 375 HP

Piston material

Value: Aluminum impact extruded
Application: 1967 Chevelle 396 cu in 375 hp optional L78 engine
Type: piston / specification
Car pages: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78

Sources: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle AMA Specifications - 396 CID 375 HP

Piston pin diameter

Value: 0.9895-0.9898 in
Application: 1967 Chevelle 396 cu in 375 hp optional L78 engine
Type: piston / specification
Car pages: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78

Sources: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle AMA Specifications - 396 CID 375 HP

Piston pin length

Value: 2.930-2.950 in
Application: 1967 Chevelle 396 cu in 375 hp optional L78 engine
Type: piston / specification
Car pages: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78

Sources: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle AMA Specifications - 396 CID 375 HP

Piston pin material

Value: Chromium steel
Application: 1967 Chevelle 396 cu in 375 hp optional L78 engine
Type: piston / specification
Car pages: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78

Sources: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle AMA Specifications - 396 CID 375 HP

Piston weight

Value: 23.12 oz, piston only
Application: 1967 Chevelle 396 cu in 375 hp optional L78 engine
Type: piston / specification
Car pages: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78

Sources: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle AMA Specifications - 396 CID 375 HP

Hydraulic lifters availability

Value: Not available
Application: 1967 Chevelle 396 cu in 375 hp optional L78 engine
Type: valve train / specification
Car pages: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78

Sources: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle AMA Specifications - 396 CID 375 HP

Rocker arm ratio

Value: 1.70:1
Application: 1967 Chevelle 396 cu in 375 hp optional L78 engine
Type: valve train / specification
Car pages: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78

Sources: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle AMA Specifications - 396 CID 375 HP

Cars Using This Engine

6 linked car pages.

SS396 sport coupe or convertible

1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78

1966 SS396 sport coupes and convertibles are listed as 13817 and 13867 SS396 models.

SS396 sport coupe or convertible

1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78

1967 SS396 is identified by 13817 sport coupe and 13867 convertible series references.

Nova coupe (11427)

1968 Chevrolet Nova SS 396 L78

Factory Chevrolet Nova Super Sport coupe

V8 sport coupe or convertible

1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS 396 L78

1969 Camaro Super Sport with the L78 396/375 hp big-block option

Factory Z25 SS 396 package; eligible 1969 Chevelle body style not fixed by target

1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78

RPO Z25 SS 396 Chevelle with optional RPO L78 engine

2-door Nova body; exact coupe/sedan trim-tag configuration not asserted

1969 Chevrolet Nova SS 396 L78

1969

Source Trail

Over-Drive Magazine 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Fact Sheet

ChevelleStuff / Dale McIntosh 1966 Chevelle RPO Production Numbers/MSRP

ChevelleStuff / Dale McIntosh 1966 Chevelle Exterior Paint Codes

ChevelleStuff / Dale McIntosh 1966 Chevelle Rear Axle Identification

Wikimedia Commons 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 Sports Coupe (21340243755).jpg

Wikimedia Commons 66 Chevelle Malibu SS396.jpg

Wikimedia Commons 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Ss396 (73530279).jpeg

YouTube 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78