Did my 1966 Corvette have a big block engine?
 

Can someone tell me how to identify what size of engine was originally placed in my car? I have this information behind the glove box:

Style 66 467 | A-651 Body
Trim 414 | 976 Paint

194676S120836
66

Thanks for your help. :cool:

none of that helps - beyond the fact that it's a Stlouis car

all 66big blocks used an 11" clutch with a 14" diameter 168 tooth flywheel, EXCEPT L-88 (which used a 10.4" clutch with a 12-1/2" , 153 tooth flywheel). '444' (cast at top) clutch housing designed for use with a 14" flywheel. It was used for 1966 and very early 1967 Corvette with 427 (except L-88).

1965 block (cast) 3855962, heads 3856208
1966 block (cast) 3869942, heads (cast) 3872702, 3873858(425/450)
1967 block (cast) 3904351 after vin #173, heads 3909802, 3904391(435)


BB-SB DIFFERENCES:
80# oil (60# possible with 427/390)
5.5k redline tach 390 hp hydraulic lifters, 6.5k 425hp solid lifters
steel line from high limit oil pressure gage to engine.
front springs (tagged 3888250eb/std 3888251ef/c60 3832518ea/f41 )
front AND rear sway bar with 2 trailing arm holes drilled to mount the rear bar.
Fuel line engine supply ends with 90° bend 6 inches in front of the idle arm mount.
BB battery cables with riveted cable clip near RH (pass.) side of tunnel opening
BB and SB A-C cars have a LH battery holder and a washer bag
If 66-67, a brass GM radiator, plastic shroud
If 66-67, no aluminum expansion tank, mount holes filled from bottom
hood with intake port(s) and LH support after 65
all engine accessories except A-C compressor and PSpump
power steering pump hose and fitting
clutch cross shaft
lower splash shields have different exhaust cut outs
2.5 inch exhausts
exhaust heat shields
at, au, az, fa, fb, fc code stamped on differential
tapped differential yokes with bolt on caps
BB throttle lever curves back from pivot toward rear of car, SB is straight
TI box bolted for L79 on LH wheel well and its wiring clip under the master cylinder
If a 65, vin number higher than 13000
Registration weight shows BB added to the (327 with 3 speed) base car:
Convertible curb weight 3160
Coupe curb weight 3140
"add" weights:
a31 Power windows___ +5
co7 Hard top________+49
c48 less Heater______-20
c60 a-c____________+93
j50 power Brake_____ +12
L89 aluminum Heads__-73
m20 4speed _________-5
m35 powerglide ______+1
n40 power Steering__ +21
u69 radio __________ +21
l79 327/350 ________ -8
l36 427/390 ________+215
l68 427/400 ________+151
l71 427/435 ________+149

Why do you say that is a St Louis car? Body A instead of S

all that tells you is that you have a A.O. Smith built convertible body that is Nassau blue with bright blue interior. that was also built appr May 3, 1966

That's more like it.

My birthday! OK, I want to buy it!:cheers:

Take a flashlight, and look on the back of the cluster. If your car was a big block, it should have a sticker with the letters LB on it. Of course that only helps if you still have the original cluster.:thumbs:

did you leave any numbers out?? because A-651 is for a car much earlier then your may vin number...indicates a possible vin/trim tag swap. and you should have a date on the trim tag in the upper left corner. a closer match would be a 102 vin instead of 120.

I was not going to say anthing about the "BB-SB differences" list that was generated a few day ago as while not completely correct it was a very good starting list. But if this list is going to become a standard that gets repeated, can we try to clean it up and make it as correct as possible.

The first issue I have is the location of the battery. All BB cars DID NOT have the battery located in the left fender with a bag for the windshield washer. I believe this maybe true for a BB with AC but not for ALL BBs. The way the list reads to me is all BB (with or without AC) and SB with AC had the battery on the left side. Correct me if I read the list wrong.

My early 66 BB (Dec 65) has the battery on the right side and has a bottle for the windshield washer on the left side.

:iagree: Mine also. November 1965.

:thumbs::cheers:

True, it is ambiguous. But still a good comprehensive list of differences
It should read "all A/C cars have battery on left"

A/C not available on L72; therefore all L72 have battery on the right, as do L36 non A/C cars......

65 396 cars all had the battery on the drivers side (like an ac car), in 66 427 cars placed the battery on the pass side, just like the small blocks unless it had ac, and only ac cars had the battery on the drivers side.

Check the redline on the tach. A 300 horse has a 5500 redline and the 327/350 and 427/390 both had 6000 redlines and the 427/425 had a 6500 redline. The solid lifter big blocks also had an 80 lb. oil pressure gage. THe L36 and all small blocks had a 60 lb. oil pressure gage. 1966 and 1967 big blocks will have the hood prop on the driver's side and all small blocks will be on the passenger side. The only big block that had the hood prop on the passenger side was the 1965 396.

Not true. Every 427/390 that I have seen had the 80# oil pressure gauge, including mine.

Only in 66. In 67 they got the 60# oil gauge

66 BB cars have the hood latch arm on drivers side. SB cars have it on passenger side.

You guys realize this thread was started almost 2 years ago? Not sure the original poster is even watching anymore.

You have to wonder how this happens as often as it does. :toetap:

Than that would mean this car is now a BB car. :D

:iagree:......:rofl: