Could anyone please give me an idea of what the value of a complete 1965 396ci 425hp low mileage engine would be? Where one might be found etc? Thanks

 

Welcome aboard the Forum, jbmid.

You'll get some responses here, I'm sure, but I would ask the same question in the C1 & C2 Section. 396 RAT has an original 396/425 convertible and will be able to comment.

 

since this engine came only in a corvette for 1 year your chances of finding one without the vette attached is slim. :chevy

 

Thanks to all for the replies. Actually, I have this engine. I was looking for the value of same and/or someone who had one to compare notes.

PRESENT CAR: I currently have the engine in a 55 Chev Bel Air 2 Dr. I purchased the 55 way back in the 60's with 85k on it. It is still close to that.
It has a 57 Olds rear end with 373:1 gears I think. It has brand new front fenders from GM and the bumpers are rechromed. There is no rust on the car, but the side chrome needs to be installed as well as carpeting etc.
The engine was installed in the car in 1968 when I bought a new Roadrunner. I blueprinted it prior to installation and had one of the top engine builders do the machining. He made the comment about how long it took as he had never seen metal that hard. They must have used really good stuff in the early ones. Other than the installation of a Holly 3bbl carb and a 375 HP cam ( I have the original of both ), the engine is completely stock. It probably only has a few hundred miles on it since the blueprint.

HISTORY: I purchased the engine in a 65 Chev Impala SS, white/white from the largest Chevrolet dealer in the Quad Cities, IL area. I believe they announced availability in Feb. They had one on quota for April and I got it. It was ordered with a close ratio 4 speed, which I also still have, and 331:1 gears and posi. A 331, a close ratio 4 speed and a high revving engine just didn't hack it off the line so a 410:1 gear was soon installed. For some reason, this engine was an extremely strong performer. I only raced one other Impala 425hp and beat him handily. Also no problem with GTO's, 442's and even Hemi's after the gear was installed, even though the Impala scaled at over 4200 pounds. I removed the engine ( big mistake, but back then who knew? ) at 32k miles, blueprinted it and installed it in my 55 in 1968. It has been stored since. I traded in a 63 Vette for the 65. I should have bought the engine in another Vette. Boo Hoo. I guess the Impala was more fun though as it was a sleeper and easier to find competition, but it soon gained a reputation. Fun times. Now everyone sticks a fortune in those pea-in-a-can imports. They can run well though, but give me the brute power of a big block any time.

BTW, as is obvious, this engine was not only used in the Vette in 65, but also the Impala and a detuned 375 HP version was produced in the Chevelle that year.

 

i forgot about the impala and chevelles and there were only 200 chevelles builts. i picked my 65 396 corvette at the fsctory in march of 65. only 396 blocks numbered 3855962 can be bored to 4.250 the same as the 427. :chevy

 

Were all 200 Chevelles 65 396 375HP? Anyone know how many 65 396ci 425hp impalas were built? I only saw 3 but I'm not in an area where you would see them. I wonder how many of each are left. I'm sure my SS is recycled long ago.

 

"Were all 200 Chevelles 65 396 375HP? " YES, the only big block Chevelle in 65 was the Z16.

The 425 Horsepower engines in the Corvette and Z16 Chevelle in 1965 were not the same. The Z16 Chevelle, rated at 375 horsepower had a hydraulic camshaft, while the Corvette had the solid lifters. All the 396/375's in ANYTHING after 65 had the common solid lifter camshaft used in 396/375, 427/450, 427/425, 427/435, and 454/450 & 425.

I don't know for sure which camshaft was used in the 65 high horse Impala/Bel Air/Biscayne, but I've always thought it was the solid lifter camshaft used in everything above EXCEPT the Z16 Chevelle, making the Z16 a one year, one car only camshaft.


[Modified by Solidlifters, 1:30 PM 9/29/2002]