RPO code for '65 396?
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
RPO code for '65 396?
Just wondering. Someone claims this is the same engine that was later used in Chevelles and such with a then 375 HP rating. Now I want to know.....
Thanks
Mods, can you put this in C2? I think it's time to upgrade my glasses again.....
Or you can just let it die now. I've gotten enough info on the subject now. Thanks to everyone who responded.
Thanks
Mods, can you put this in C2? I think it's time to upgrade my glasses again.....
Or you can just let it die now. I've gotten enough info on the subject now. Thanks to everyone who responded.
Last edited by Corvette Kid; Sep 13, 2005 at 07:44 AM.
Instructor
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From: Northern Idaho
the code stamped on the front pass. pad for the 1965 396/425hp corvette motor is IF,the casting on the drivers side back is 3855962 it has thicker cylinder walls than the 3855961 block,is this the answer to your Q? the IF block for the vettes is rare as it was in production for only for a short time,but the 3855962 block was used in chevelles and camaros/novas ect. for a few years and was rated at 375 hp 
Last edited by stepinup; Sep 12, 2005 at 07:57 PM.
Thread Starter
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
I've been able to find out that it was called the L78, just like the 375 version used in Chevelles. So is it the same engine? Was the HP rating toned down later on for insurance purposes? Even as early as '65 this engine was put in a few Chevelles and was only rated at 375. In that same year that it was rated much higher in the Vette.
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
...supposedly the 201 1965 Z-16 Chevelles were a true "hydraulic lifter" 375hp version of the "L-78". Now that you mention it, I'm not sure these "Z-16" motors were the square port 11:1 compression ratio L-78s that were in the '65 Corvette & '66/'67 L-78 Chevelles.
I owned from '76-'84 an original Marina Blue '67 L-78 Chevelle, one of 612 built in 1967.
Black interior, no options, L-78, M-20 4spd with 3.36:1 rear gears. 
I owned from '76-'84 an original Marina Blue '67 L-78 Chevelle, one of 612 built in 1967.
Black interior, no options, L-78, M-20 4spd with 3.36:1 rear gears.
Melting Slicks
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From: Nevada City California
The '65 396 Corvette engine differed from the '65 Chevelle Z16 396 engine in 2 ways, for the different horsepower rating, of 425 to 375.
First Corvettes used the larger, streamlined header style exhaust manifolds, these would not clear the Chevelle engine bay frame rails.
Second Corvettes used a solid lifter camshaft version, while Chevelle used a hydraulic camshaft.
There also is a difference in air cleaner assembly styles, Corvettes used a 14 x 3 open element system, Chevelle used a closed element dual snorkel assembly.
First Corvettes used the larger, streamlined header style exhaust manifolds, these would not clear the Chevelle engine bay frame rails.
Second Corvettes used a solid lifter camshaft version, while Chevelle used a hydraulic camshaft.
There also is a difference in air cleaner assembly styles, Corvettes used a 14 x 3 open element system, Chevelle used a closed element dual snorkel assembly.
