Boxerhips

Did Chevy offer a chrome timing chain cover? I have been told it was original, but I highly doubt it and the timing marks don’t seem to be linear.

perhaps they are all that way.

Meaning 0°-12° is more like 14° when using a digital/adjustable timing light.

Nowhere Man

nope. always painted steel also 65-66 used a unique timing cover

Boxerhips

Mine was painted, but when I went to clean the timing marks, now it’s chrome…

65 Pro Vette

Are you sure your car is original 396 car? There are more cars out there than they ever built. There were a lot of 65 unique parts on the original engine. No chrome timing chain cover and no chrome valve covers.

Boxerhips

Yes numbers match, car was purchased from a dealer in Florida and has been verified by NCRS. Gold award.

I will add to winter work.

Nowhere Man

NCRS does not do a gold award. Do you have pictures

67:72

"Gold" is not an NCRS award, as Nowhereman said, but it is a Bloomington award. The car could have both, a top-flight from NCRS and gold from Bloomington. Keep in mind that both of those awards are only a testament to how the car was presented on that judging day. The day after it could well have not qualified and any change of owners afterwards, repairs, upgrades, etc. could have changed things that definitely degrade the condition the car was in when it got the awards.

My advice: Join NCRS (only $60) and get the judging guide for the car.