65 396 identification
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Sep 2005
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65 396 identification
i am very interested in a 65 396 coupe i have found the current owner swears it is an original big block but the motor and radiator and shroud are gone. it does have the big block hood and high redlin tach. I have heard of a lot of little clues which dont sound too reliable. have 65s been found with build sheets on them if so where.
the price on the car is a firm 15000 any advice on the price, i am new to vettes car needs total restoration and motor(65 396 l78)
also front end has been mutilated by someone smoothing the headlight doors and istalling headlights in grill, how much would it cost to repair this.
the price on the car is a firm 15000 any advice on the price, i am new to vettes car needs total restoration and motor(65 396 l78)
also front end has been mutilated by someone smoothing the headlight doors and istalling headlights in grill, how much would it cost to repair this.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,113
Likes: 4
NO tank build sheet in 65. Look for a rear sway bar and a battery access door in the front drivers side fender skirt, larger diameter springs, and a larger sway bar in the front(not sure what size, maybe someone will chime in here).
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
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From: Washington Michigan
Should have:
1. VIN higher than 13,000
2. 7/8" or 15/16" front sway bar.
3. Rear sway bar.
4. Caps and bolts instead of U-bolts on diff yokes.
5. Transistor Ignition.
6. Bag (instead of plastic reservoir) for W/S washers on left inner fender.
7. Cooling system instruction sticker on right inner fender, forward of expansion tank.
These L-78 cars are expensive to restore correctly - there's a June-dated L-78 engine on eBay now ($15K). Putting the headlight area back to stock will be $3K-$5K, plus paint. No build sheets for 65's.
1. VIN higher than 13,000
2. 7/8" or 15/16" front sway bar.
3. Rear sway bar.
4. Caps and bolts instead of U-bolts on diff yokes.
5. Transistor Ignition.
6. Bag (instead of plastic reservoir) for W/S washers on left inner fender.
7. Cooling system instruction sticker on right inner fender, forward of expansion tank.
These L-78 cars are expensive to restore correctly - there's a June-dated L-78 engine on eBay now ($15K). Putting the headlight area back to stock will be $3K-$5K, plus paint. No build sheets for 65's.
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 9
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yes i have seen that motor. I will be watching to see if ti sells, he is advertising it as completely correct however the block does not have the correct stamping on the deck which ,after restoring a 69 z28 with a dz 302, is a pretty big deal. might just be sticker shock on my part
