VIN Help
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Tumbler Ridge British Columbia
VIN Help
I have a 66 C2 and was wondering how do I find out details on my car...
like if the engine was the 390hp 427 or the 425hp 427
VIN # 194376S114786
trim code 978AA (Laguna Blue exterior) with 414AG (Bright Blue Interior)
like if the engine was the 390hp 427 or the 425hp 427
VIN # 194376S114786
trim code 978AA (Laguna Blue exterior) with 414AG (Bright Blue Interior)
Last edited by Bearzerker; Feb 26, 2013 at 03:03 PM. Reason: adding and correcting
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 37,663
Likes: 1,112
From: CA
have to go to work now...
but i hope these pictures help some and work
thanx for awesomely fast replies guys...
https://www.dropbox.com/s/edwl1ab3r2...2014.18.36.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/fq4t6i54qd...2014.18.48.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ycjl73i7g1...2014.18.58.jpg
but i hope these pictures help some and work
thanx for awesomely fast replies guys...
https://www.dropbox.com/s/edwl1ab3r2...2014.18.36.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/fq4t6i54qd...2014.18.48.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ycjl73i7g1...2014.18.58.jpg
No help...Like JohnZ asked....whats on the engine pad?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 801
Likes: 19
From: Moose country Vermont
66
I think the only way to tell for sure if your car was even a BB car is to have documentation, or the engine block.
BB hoods are everywhere.
My understanding is that BB cars had several unique features such as a rear sway bar, bar clamps instead of round u-clamps on the 1/2 shafts, fuel line has a 90deg. bend entering the fuel pump. rear end has a letter designation for BB cars maybe AU?, 80lb oil press gauge,battery on the right, hood support on the left. All L72's also have Trans. ignition, and I do not think an auto. trans. or Ac were available(L72). What is the redline on the tach?
BB hoods are everywhere.
My understanding is that BB cars had several unique features such as a rear sway bar, bar clamps instead of round u-clamps on the 1/2 shafts, fuel line has a 90deg. bend entering the fuel pump. rear end has a letter designation for BB cars maybe AU?, 80lb oil press gauge,battery on the right, hood support on the left. All L72's also have Trans. ignition, and I do not think an auto. trans. or Ac were available(L72). What is the redline on the tach?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,640
Likes: 67
From: Livin' large and havin' fun in wonderful Oklahoma
My understanding is that BB cars had several unique features such as a rear sway bar, bar clamps instead of round u-clamps on the 1/2 shafts, fuel line has a 90deg. bend entering the fuel pump. rear end has a letter designation for BB cars maybe AU?, 80lb oil press gauge,battery on the right, hood support on the left. All L72's also have Trans. ignition, and I do not think an auto. trans. or Ac were available(L72). What is the redline on the tach?
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
Wrong tac and battery on wrong side for BB. I dont think anyone would go throught the trouble to make it from a BB to a SB and move the battery and change the tac. Maybe a SB to a BB, but not the other way around.
KC
KC
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,576
Likes: 118
From: Conroe Texas
ok...
so this could be a good thing as the SB that's in it could be the original engine.
Is there anyway to verify this new information? and did they have factory installed AC in the small block for the 1966 model year...
I was told only the 390HP 427 had the factory AC
so this could be a good thing as the SB that's in it could be the original engine.
Is there anyway to verify this new information? and did they have factory installed AC in the small block for the 1966 model year...
I was told only the 390HP 427 had the factory AC
Look for the engine stamping on the flat pad just foward of the passenger side head. It is part of the block deck, the same deck a head gasket is installed on. Hopefully you'll find 2 sets of information: Letters/numbers that indicate the build date and usage code, plus a VIN derivative.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 789
Likes: 13
From: Winter Springs FL
I was told by the dealer that factory air conditioning was only available in the coupe model with with the L39 engine for 1966 model year but would like some confirmation on this,
yellow line is at 50, orange line 53 to 55... redline isnt there, the dash instrumentation is the big block variant I'm pretty sure, confirmation needed... please see https://www.dropbox.com/s/0m30gedlge...2019.33.23.jpg
and it does have the sway bar...
battery is on the drivers side near the power brake unit but under the wheel well, the battery is red in this picture https://www.dropbox.com/s/b2yj5ukrwi...2013.23.23.jpg
yellow line is at 50, orange line 53 to 55... redline isnt there, the dash instrumentation is the big block variant I'm pretty sure, confirmation needed... please see https://www.dropbox.com/s/0m30gedlge...2019.33.23.jpg
and it does have the sway bar...
battery is on the drivers side near the power brake unit but under the wheel well, the battery is red in this picture https://www.dropbox.com/s/b2yj5ukrwi...2013.23.23.jpg
About the L39, ehm, I don't see that as an engine option for 1966. For the 327s I see base (300HP)and L79 (350). For the big blocks I see L36 (390HP) and L72 (425HP). According to Noland Adam's bible, air conditioning, option C60, was not available with the L72, otherwise it was fair game for all other engine/body style combos. Dealer steered you wrong on that one.
I do find a mention in Noland's book regarding ECL AG (on your trim tag 414AG) It indicates an air conditioned coupe with base engine and a 4-speed. That would also match the redline on your tach and your 80lb oil gauge.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
Unless you have a lot more mechanical and restoration experience than it appears, I'd pass on that car and keep looking - it's pretty close to a basket-case/rust-bucket, and it needs EVERYTHING.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 953
Likes: 70
From: Parkville MO
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 953
Likes: 70
From: Parkville MO
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,367
Likes: 59
From: FL
While you are taking pictures, here's a list.
1. Engine bay
2. Battery location
3. Fuel pump area
4. Engine stamp pad on front of block, passenger side
5. Radiator with where it goes to the inner fenders
6. Firewall
7. Frame under the doors, both side and in both forward/rearward directions
8. Overall of car
9. Overall of interior
1. Engine bay
2. Battery location
3. Fuel pump area
4. Engine stamp pad on front of block, passenger side
5. Radiator with where it goes to the inner fenders
6. Firewall
7. Frame under the doors, both side and in both forward/rearward directions
8. Overall of car
9. Overall of interior
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 789
Likes: 13
From: Winter Springs FL
thanx for this info... [what does ECL AG mean?]
I was told [by someone I cant remember ATM] that the 80lb oil gauge was for the L36 390HP base variant... could this be true?...
even if it was, it still sounds to me that this was a factory 327 350hp with perhaps a changed up dash...
I had a long hard day on the road so I didn't get the chance to photograph the numbers discussed earlier on the block...
I should be ready to do the work needed by tomorrow and will post the pictured results then for ya'll to discuss with me then...
Friday I have a long haul south to Vancouver and wont be able to play with the baby monster till i get back next Wednesday...
I was told [by someone I cant remember ATM] that the 80lb oil gauge was for the L36 390HP base variant... could this be true?...
even if it was, it still sounds to me that this was a factory 327 350hp with perhaps a changed up dash...
I had a long hard day on the road so I didn't get the chance to photograph the numbers discussed earlier on the block...
I should be ready to do the work needed by tomorrow and will post the pictured results then for ya'll to discuss with me then...
Friday I have a long haul south to Vancouver and wont be able to play with the baby monster till i get back next Wednesday...
Well, I actually meant to type 60lb, not 80lb. 60 is what I think I see in that fuzzy picture. The 80lb oil pressure gauge deal is dicey. It is said they were meant for use in the L72 425hp big blocks, but there is evidence they were also used in L36 390HP cars and some even found their way into 327s. Either way and it's a simple item to replace regardless. My best guess is your coupe was born with AC, the base 327 300HP engine and a 4-speed.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,659
Likes: 3,666
From: Central Arkansas
I would keep researching. That car may have been molested some time in it's life - but if so, it was a ways back. The rear sway bar is an easy addition but it looks like it has been there awhile. And trying to look at the rear suspension picture it looks like the differential could have big block u-joint caps on the half shafts at the differential. It's too blurry when blown up to be sure. And without checking my Noland Adams book, didn't 427/390 cars with AC have the battery on the driver's side? I may be remembering this incorrectly never having a C2 with air. Also, the front coil springs do not look like small block stock springs to me. They look like they could be a BB spring - no way to be sure without removing them for closer examination or finding remnents of the tags on them. Also, springs are one thing that do get changed out over the years.
Over 45 years a lot of things get messed with on these cars that have gone through a number of owners.
Over 45 years a lot of things get messed with on these cars that have gone through a number of owners.
Last edited by DansYellow66; Nov 8, 2012 at 08:30 AM.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 490
Likes: 110
Here's a link to more photos of the car.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/ws/eBayISAPI....d=408301395678
I think it's restorable, but I don't know how the seller could claim the body is in 'real decent shape'. Those look like expensive repairs to me.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/ws/eBayISAPI....d=408301395678
I think it's restorable, but I don't know how the seller could claim the body is in 'real decent shape'. Those look like expensive repairs to me.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,659
Likes: 3,666
From: Central Arkansas
It has a BB radiator and hood suport on the driver side. That is another sign it could be originally a 427/390 car. Rear wheel openings have been trimmed out. They would have to be lived with or repaired. No sign of rust around the door opening gutters which is a good sign. Hard to tell what the paint may be hiding. The apparent body damage is not too bad if you're handy with fiberglass repair. It's what you can't see that could bite you.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,659
Likes: 3,666
From: Central Arkansas
The hood was shared by the L36 and the L72 cars - no difference. I would agree that as far as can be told from the photos, the frame looks pretty good - just dirty and surface rust. It certainly doesn't appear to have flaking rust.