snydes

Hello all. I'm looking at a 1966 roadster, alleged original big block car. I would like to know if there are any tell tale signs to help verify. So far all I know is the hood is there, the fender emblems and heavy duty radiator (all easily changed I know). No original motor, unrestored, not sure yet how original it is otherwise. I know the only sure way would be to have the build sheet, but what things would have been unique to a BB car.

Thanks,
Steve

BarryK

not a complete list but a few items to look for:

fuel line at the engine side would be a 90* bend before the fuel pump, SB cars had a 45* bend.
different yokes on the halfshafts on BB cars
larger sway bars in the rear

provette67

NO overflow tank

MosportGreen66

Whats the tach redline?

snydes

I have not seen the car myself, and the person who did did not check the tach redline.

Any way for me to be able to tell the differences in halfshafts? Were the build sheets generally hid somewhere in these cars?

Sorry for the 20 questions, I'm gonna need a crash course on these things.

Thanks,
Steve

provette67

No Tank Sticker Til '67

66BlkBB

//////////////////////

All of the items can be changed but try looking at the rear end. If the yokes use caps instead of U-bolts, it could be a BB car. Also, look for the hood prop on the left side. Check to see that the right side holes weren't filled to make it look like a BB car. The tach won't tell much. 5500 redline rpm tach came in 390 hp and small hp 327's. Not sure what the 350 hp 327 came with but 425 hp came with 6500 redline. Sway bars can be added also but look for these, front and rear. Not sure of the diameters to look for. Someone else will have that info. Hope this helps.

srthom

I believe there were two 427 BB's for 66. One was rated at 390hp( hydraulic lifter cam) and the other 425hp ( solid lifter cam ). I have the 425hp so I will tell you what is unique to mine. It has the hood support on the driver's side, stinger hood, 80lb oil gauge, 6500rpm red line, front and rear sway bars, caps on the half shafts ( attaches the ujoint to the rear), no expansion tank, 4 row copper/brass radiator, M21 trans, TI iqnition with modular box mounted on the driver's side front fender behind and to the left of the head light, the front cross member has a half circular indent to accommodate the 8 inch damper, short shalf water pump, 5 blade fan, 2 belts, battery on the passenger side, alternator on the driver's side and a chrome 14"x3" air cleaner with ci and hp on the top. The 390hp had a 60lb oil gauge and a different red line, I believe it was 5500rpm. There may be more but I am still on my first cup of coffee. Steve

66BlkBB

("The 390hp had a 60lb oil gauge")

It was my impression that all 66 cars came with 80 lb oil pressure gauge. My 390 has an 80 in it. I may be wrong about the small blocks. I know in 67 this changed. The 390 & 400 units came with 60 lb units.

vintagecorvette

Didn't 396 cars have overflow tanks?

BarryK

all frames starting in the '65MY had the indent whether it was for a BB or a SB car.
All Corvettes use the short nose WP's so these two items won't give you clues to go by.

magicv8

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) The '444' bellhousing is designed for use with a 14" flywheel. It was used for 1966 and very early 1967 Corvette with 427 (except L-88). Other BB-SB differences:
front AND rear sway bar
Two holes in trailing arm drilled to mount the rear sway bar.
instruments (oil and possibly tach)
Steel line from high limit oil pressure gage to engine.
front springs (tagged)
LH battery holder and BB cables
Riveted battery cable clip near RH (pass.) side of tunnel opening
washer fluid bag (on A-C cars)
radiator, shroud, and no aluminum expansion tank
Tapped differential yokes with bolt on caps.
hood with intake port(s)
all engine accessories except PS pump
power steering hose and fitting
clutch cross shaft
probably the flywheel and clutch assembly
lower splash shields
2.5 inch exhausts
exhaust heat shields
.375 fuel line pointed forward for BB pump
different code stamped on differential
BB throttle lever curves back from pivot toward rear of car, SB is straight
L79 TI box bolted on LH wheel well and a clip for its wiring under the master cylinder
Registration weight shows BB added, "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 327/35 0 ________ -8
l36 427/390 ________+215
l68 427/400 ________+151
l71 427/435 ________+149
The base car is a 327 with 3 speed.
Convertible curb weight 3160
Coupe curb weight 3140

JohnZ

Should have a 7/8" diameter front stabilizer bar - SB's were 3/4".

JohnZ

Yes, but that was a one-year-only ('65, not '66) configuration, just like the driver's side battery location. '66-'67 BB's (except L-88) used copper/brass radiators with no expansion tank.

68435roadster

Early '66 427 cars were equipped with the right hand propped '65 hoods; access holes for the front emblem were cut on the line. Isn't it great to add to the confusion?

66BlkBB

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Didn't know that. How early is early in the run for 66?

71vert

Hood change early Oct.65 somewhere in the 3000 vin range I believe.

snydes

Great info! Anything else you can thing of, let me know. Hopefully I can get to see this car for myself soon, I will post back with all I find.

Thanks,
Steve

r66stingray

IMHO you might also look for some hints in the following areas in addition to what has already been offered.

The rear axle code. AT (3:08), AU (3:36), AZ (3:55), FA (3:70), FB (4:11), or FC (4:56). I believe all preceeding prefixes appear to be unique to 427 if on a '66 rear axle.

Ignition coil numbers 1115232, 1115262, 1115210, 1115261, 1115231 appear to be unique to 427 if it still has the original

R. Seghi

good info.