66 Chevelle 396/375 conv lesson needed

[FESTIVAL78]

Hi guys. I need a quick lesson on 66 Chevelles (Camaro guy). It seems that a local has an X-drag car that I've been told is ss 396 w 375hp 4 sp convertible. It's very nostalgic with straight front axle, no inner fenders and faded drag car hand painted graphics, pinstriping. I want to see the car alone first and determine if it's legit before I approach the owner for negotiations. Who can tell me #'s and what to look for to make a quick determination if the car is legit? Thanks for any help. Tom. ( I'm disinterested in listening to the owners retoric until the last possible minute!)

[Norm reynolds]

here is a site with some info
http://cars.dozer.com/features/cheve...velle_z16.html
also check on this bb at copo usa under Z-16

[FESTIVAL78]

Thanks for that. It looks like 375hp was not an option. I would like some insite on how I could "spot" identify the car as a factory bigblock. who knows what the engine suffix would be? Does this car have trim tag identifiers like my 67 Camaros? Also..Z16 1965 only?

[Norm reynolds]

The only thing I have is a 396 block for 1966 chevelle is a EG code 11.01 comp with a 4/speed and 3, 099 were made may be some one else has some more info
Norm

[JoeC]

I believe the vin will show if it is an SS. If it is an SS it has to be a big block unless built in Canada. Check Team Chevelle for more info. I don't know much on the 66.

[Stefano]

JoeC is correct the VIN 13867 will verify a Super Sport Convertible and an EG engine pad stamp would be correct for the 375hp 4 speed L78.

[MYSTERYCHEVELLE]

Looks like you got some good information...there's so much out there.... e-mail me if you need any additional help.

FYI....The L-78 in a 66 SS was not originally offered in the 66 Chevelle production year...just the base 325 hp engine and the Optional 360 Hp. Then later in the production year the 375 hp...L-78 was again offred and dealers received the inserts for their literature...( First offered in the very Rare, only 201 produced, 65 Chevelle Z-16's). The L-78 in a 66 SS rag top is a very rare bird for sure, given what we know alraedy, that only 3099 L-78's came off the line in the 66 Production Year...only 612 in 1967...

If the orig. engine is in the car, it will match the Vin on the door...also, the Trim Tag, if early...will help show it was not a real L-78, as again, not offerred early... The Knee- Knocker Tach, if still there, will be the 7,000 RPM version, like the 360 hp but with a slightly higher Redline.

No L-78 in 66 came with air either or as an automatic... Like I said, there are many ways to spot the fakes...

Nice topic

Later
Mike

[Stefano]

I think all L-78s are special and would love to someday own a Z16. The Z16 used a Hydraulic cam which did not allow for the revrange of the L-78 solid lifter engines.

[MYSTERYCHEVELLE]

Joe

I must be bored, or maybe it's b/c I missed the AACA national in VA due to Rain today... but when I hear talk of a rare 66 SS, however remote the possibility of it still having the orig. drivetrain....well, I can't stop hoping it is saved.

The 66 SS Ragtop will have, as stated earlier...a starting VIN Number which is UNIVERSAL...138676 followed by letter designating the assembly plant it was born from... ( I won't list all seven) and then the remining numbers will be the car's sequence number off the assembly line...ie., 138676Z177205 might be what you would see on the VIN TAG attached to the door ( Z indicates Fremont, Calif. built) then b/c each plant's starting VIN was with 100,001., this example would be the 77,205th car built at the Fremont plant for the 66 production year...remember the production year didn't start in January either., and this would represent all cars being built at this plant, not just Chevelles.

That little background is to set you up for what you will look for on the engine...specifically the passenger side of the block deck as it extends forward past the right cylinder head. This will, though it may be painted over or covered in grease and grime now, be stamped with alphanumerical characters, manually stamped to show the date of assembly of the engine followed by a two and possibly three letter suffix code which indicates the specific engine and trans., and then a final vehicle assembly plant code followed by the last several digits of the VIN...that sequence number I spoke of.

So, if you see the engine stamp...ie: T0614EG Z 177205

T = Tonawanda engine assembly plant in NY
06 = Month of June
14 = 14th day

EG = The Only code used for a 66 Chevelle SS with 375 HP engine.
Z = Fremont. California Assembly plant, as example only ( of the vehicle)

177205 = Sequence number as described above.

The sequence number on that engine MUST Match EXACTLY with that which is on the VIN TAG on the door for this to be the orig. engine to the car. If the engine has the EG code, but the sequence numver is different, then it's an L-78 but not from that car. Also, the Assembly plant code, Z in this case for Fremont, should match the door vin....NOTE HERE... the TRIM TAG has sequence numbers also, but these are Fisher Body sequence numbers, never try and match the Trim Tag numbers with those on the engine.... the trim tag will have the assembly plant noted and of course if the TRIM AG has Baltimore built and the engine has Fremont ( Z ) then you also know it's not original engine. TRIM TAG code for Fremont is not Z, it is BF...that can be confusing too...

ALL 66 SS Rags got the 138676 Vin and all hard tops got 138176.

All 3099 built L-78's got EG Engine code, none got air conditioning and none came as automatics.

One has to consider that the 375 HP engine was the top of the line high performance engine, most ordering this Bad boy, had plans for it and wasn't to go get groceries unless the grocery store was at the end of the drag strip [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/wink.gif[/img] so keeping that in mind, when these cars were ordered, they also came equipped with a trans and rear to support that power and quest for speed...did I say 4 Speed...yes, I did...as in most likely a Muncie M-21 or if you really knew what you were doing ( 12 people did) an M-22 Rock Crusher 4 speed. Gear ratio in the L-78 would most likely be low, as in 4.10:1 Posi Ratio coded as KK on rear axle tube, 4.56:1 Posi coded as KM, or 4.88:1 Posi coded as KO. again just things to look for when trying to rule in the possibility of a real L-78.

Radiators also got tagged according to engine size/HP and if it still had the orig. Harrison Rad and still had the Tag attached to the inner upper tabk...look for a two letter code "VM" for 375 hp car.

The L-78 was cancelled on May 11th 1965. and as such was not part of the 66 Chevelle production options when the 66 production year started ( July/August 1965) and early sales literature doesn't mention the 375 hp either. but the L-78 was re-introduced into the chevelle line up on October 7th 1965 at a cost of $235.26 what a bargain eh!

The block was a 4 bolt main # 3855962
Heads # 3873858
Crank was forged steel
Mechanical cam
Aluminum intake Manifold
Holly 4 barrel carb
11.0:1 compression ratio

Now, where else can ya get that kind of free info but on the Net...

Good luck and I am now back into retirement mode...Later!

mike

[FESTIVAL78]

Wow Mike! With an answer like that I'm gonna feel guilty if it turns out 6cyl/Powerglide...I've got a good feeling about the car and at this point cannot wait till Monday. I'm a fan of the quick deal so if it starts going my way and the guy is standing there...Give me some ballparks on the car. The car has not one piece on it that I'd consider show so a full resto is required. Not to mention it has no original front suspension etc. It does have an interior (not gutted)..Throw two ball-parks at me..One for original drivetrain and one for lost engine/trans...I'm talking what I should offer not what it's worth... Thanks all...I don't know about this retirement stuff but I suggest coming out.T