1966 Chevrolet Impala 427 non SS questions

[garycharlton1960]

Hi everyone. I have been asking questions on the Yenko site to get information and some understanding on some cars I am going to be selling for my boss and good friend who recently passed away.
This was his 1966 Chevrolet Impala w/ factory 427 cu. ci. and it is not an SS. I have read that the SS was not a performance package but that it was just a trim package. I have heard from several people that this car is rare because it has the 427 and is not an SS car. The numbers show it to be a v8. The engine appears to be untouched and seems to have the correct brackets and hardware and the hose brackets seem correct. Is there a way to verify that the car did in fact come with the 427 engine? I included a photo of the tachometer. I would think the red line would help in determining the engine. Thanks, Gary C.
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/03/full-19838-41052-4.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/03/full-19838-41053-7.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/03/full-19838-41056-10a.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/03/full-19838-41057-20160318_172324.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/03/full-19838-41058-20160318_172200.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/03/full-19838-41059-20160318_172034.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/03/full-19838-41060-20160318_172237.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/03/full-19838-41061-20160318_173641.jpg

[travlnz28]

Gary,

Check for the stamped numbers on the engine pad in front of the right side cylinder head.

[TAR6569]

And can you post pics of the vin and cowl tag and I'll decode them for you.

[garycharlton1960]

Here are the vin and cowl tags.


http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/03/full-19838-41071-20.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/03/full-19838-41072-19.jpg

[TAR6569]

Great. cowl tag shows a red/white top/red bench seat plain Impala convertible built at Los Angeles.

tinted glass, air conditioning, TH400 trans, convenience group and deluxe seat belts. The TH400 code means it was a big block.

See if you can get a picture of the engine pad numbers. Also, the tag attached to the side of the TH400 transmission case, will ID the engine.

Warren

[garycharlton1960]

Thanks for the info. I will get photos of the engine and transmission info. in the morning. Is it rare for the year and model to have a big block and not be an SS? Is there any way to get production numbers for this version of the Impala?

[garycharlton1960]

Here are some interior photos. The only thing not original in the interior is the radio. What radios were offered in '66? I have looked on eBay and found several but not sure which one would be correct. Also the floor mats say 427 Impala I'm not sure if those are original or aftermarket.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/03/full-19838-41088-11.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/03/full-19838-41089-18.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/03/full-19838-41090-15.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/03/full-19838-41091-10.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/03/full-19838-41092-14.jpg

[kwhizz]

I would say it "IS" a 396-325hp car with 427 fender flags............

[mssl72]

Agreed. The tach is talking.

[earntaz]

IMHO "427" emblems are alot cheaper than a true 427 motor -- I've seen "LT-1" decals on the hood of Vettes' with the base engine in em' ... TAZ

[garycharlton1960]

Emblems aren't correct engines are. That is what I am trying to verify. But a lot of people seem to take the easy way out. In this case I will take the easy way out and look for some 396 emblems. The block stamp is T0404IVR. I am not finding any suffix listing that has IVR.
IV indicates a 396, IR indicates 427 corvette. What does the IVR suffix indicate? I will get the transmission code later, no time to dally right now. Thanks
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/03/full-19838-41152-t0404ivr.jpg

[earntaz]

Breaking down the code online seems to indicate a 325HP 396 engine. TAZ

[travlnz28]

Looks like the original engine for the car. Anybody ever seen the R stamp after the engine code?

[SuperNovaSS]

The R is rochester carb. If it was a 325HP with a Holley it would be IVH.


Jason

[427TJ]

Still a cool car. Lose the Rallys and find some steel wheels with dogs or correct Impala wheelcovers. And a correct air cleaner.

[garycharlton1960]

So anybody got any proper 396 emblems , 'cause I'm not swappin' engines to match the décor. Also, any suggestions on a starting point to price this thing? There are some really nice ones on eBay in the $30 g price range give or take.
So does it hurt the value by not being an SS? I've been told it helps the value not being an SS with the Big block. Opinions appreciated.

[garycharlton1960]

I was thinking the same here on the wheels I think there may be some correct hub caps here. There is so much stuff to go through here and much of it I have no clue what it goes to. I'm thinking about starting an internet game show called name this part

[tom406]

Sounds like you've got more than enough to keep you busy. While I agree in principle on the wheels, I would probably look for a set of 67 flat caps for the wheels and call it good since the Nova and Impala world have generally adopted 67 rally wheels as honorary late 66 appropriate. It seems like a $15k car to me, unless it cleans up better than I expect. Red paint is good, red interior is love/hate, but non SS definitely doesn't help value. I estimate SS is probably 10-20% more value. People want to feel like they have a sporty car (buckets and console shift), they don't care about fitting 4 kids AND the wife anymore.

[garycharlton1960]

As usual you guys here are a big help. I've been to forums where it seems all they want to do is harass people. But here it has been just the facts with no smiley faces and no belittlement.
427TJ, you mentioned the dogs. I got a set but they're going on a '65 Biscayne that I'm building later this year. Black with red interior and a 409. Thanks gentleman. Gary C.

[mssl72]

A friend of mine had the same thing happen. Bought a '66 Caprice that had 427 emblems but found the same IVR suffix as you, 396, Rochester carb. He bought a set of 396 emblems just as you're doing to put things in order. There were a few different wheel cover options in '66 for full size cars. Wires, mag style, dog dish, full wheel bowtie covers, I guess it depends what look you want. The wheels themselves would've been 14x5J unless the car has the F41 suspension option on it. Then they would be 14x6JK.

[garycharlton1960]

Thanks for the info. How do I go about identifying the F41 suspension? I plan to put as much as possible back to OEM. Right now that is the air cleaner, the 396 emblems, the radio, the wheels and the hub caps.

[earntaz]

Rear sway bar?

[Craig_Maiorana]

We sell the 396 emblem at classic industries P#3867312 25.00 a pc I think you should keep the replacing stuff to a minimum. Present these cars for what they are. I think if you are honest in representing the vehicles you may find that they will move out a bit quicker. Have you managed to off load any yet?

[markinnaples]

I'd keep the rally's as stated above, maybe replace the 427 emblems with 396 ones, give it a decent cleaning and put her up for sale as-is. Let someone else do the minor parts replacements as a labor of love and move on to the next car. Just my opinion.

[mssl72]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: garycharlton1960</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for the info. How do I go about identifying the F41 suspension?...</div></div>

TAZ got it. If you look under the rear axle, the F41 would have a sway bar connecting to 2 lower control arms. The front sway bar would also be like 15/16&quot; or 1&quot;. I believe the option also impacted the shocks. I don't remember off the top of my head... not enough hair to hold it in. I'll take a look when I get home.

[mssl72]

Gary, I checked on the F41 components and the option does also change shocks and springs. If you have the rear sway bar on the car and want more details, let me know.