[C2] Sidepipe Keyhole
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Le Mans Master
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Sidepipe Keyhole
I have questions about the sidepipe keyhole slot on C2’s. Was the keyholes only drilled if sidepipes were ordered? And what about AO Smith bodies?
Pro
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From: Owasso, OK
I suspect all frames were AO Smith and all had keyholes, after side pipe introduction was sequences into production.
Last edited by rsinor; Sep 20, 2020 at 09:54 AM.
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Le Mans Master
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I understand no AO Smith bodies had sidepipes. So, again, do all C2’s have these keyholes?
Le Mans Master
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The keyholes were standard on all C-2 and C-3 starting in 1965. The same is true of the indent in the front cross member to clear the crank pulley for big block engines. Jerry
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Le Mans Master
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Thanks for the explanation, John. It seems funny to me the AO Smith produced the frames with the keyhole slot for sidepipes but no AO Smith body came equipped with sidepipes. Is that correct? Another question, was the keyhole slot only used for sidepipes?
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A side Note:
If you own a 65 or later Corvette C2 without the side exhaust Keyholes and the front cross member indent for a BB harmonic Balancer ...... Then you own a 65 with a frame off replacement from a 64 or possibly a 63...It happens! Not often...but it Happens.
If you own a 65 or later Corvette C2 without the side exhaust Keyholes and the front cross member indent for a BB harmonic Balancer ...... Then you own a 65 with a frame off replacement from a 64 or possibly a 63...It happens! Not often...but it Happens.
Last edited by dcamick; Sep 24, 2020 at 04:10 PM.
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I have a 65 and it has the keyholes and sidepipes, but not the indent. It was cut away for the 454 BB.
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I'm no John Z nor am I John Z, and while there are known errors in the NCRS '65 Judging guide, it has this to say about the frame (paraphrased):
The frame was part number 3864676 up to about 1 September 1964 after which the part number was 3871317 (note that it does not tie any physical changes to that serial number change).
A depression in the front cross member for harmonic balancer clearance was added in 1965 (no mention of a running change (implies Chevy was planning for the big block in the summer of 1964).
Although absent in some very early production cars, a keyhole shaped slot should be present on the bottom of each side rail to accommodate the N14 side exhaust installation.
The frame was part number 3864676 up to about 1 September 1964 after which the part number was 3871317 (note that it does not tie any physical changes to that serial number change).
A depression in the front cross member for harmonic balancer clearance was added in 1965 (no mention of a running change (implies Chevy was planning for the big block in the summer of 1964).
Although absent in some very early production cars, a keyhole shaped slot should be present on the bottom of each side rail to accommodate the N14 side exhaust installation.