65 Transistor Ignition Location

[John O.]

I have an opportunity to purchase a 1965 396 convertible third owner car. The car is very original with milage at 32,200. Numbers do check out with NCRS Spec Guide. However, I do not believe the car still has the TI module, but I'm not completely sure where it is located on a '65. I thought the housing was on the drivers-side near the horn unit. Is this correct? This problem has raised some doubts to whether this car is really a true 396. The block casting number does have the IF and build date is 65, the car was built in July of 65. My other question is what would be an acceptable build date range for the 396? I've heard different time periods from a couple of weeks to a couple of months before final assembly. If this is a true 396 would the TI have been pulled out for some reason? Will the engine function properly without? I have driven the car and seems fine and starts without any problems. Sorry for all the questions but I've got to make a decision on this and I would greatly appreciate members input.

Thank you,
John

[Dale Osterman]

Re: 65 Transistor Ignition Location

John,
The TI Amp should be mounted on the front of the radiator core support on the passengers side unless the car has air cond. If the amp is no where to be found, you might check to see that the distributor is TI and has not been updated.

[John H.]

Re: 65 Transistor Ignition Location

John -

I'm no expert on L-78's, but the '65 A.I.M. shows the T.I. Amplifier on L-78's to be mounted on the front side of the radiator support, on the passenger side, just above the horn (3 drilled holes in a triangular pattern).

[Jack Layton]

Re: 65 Transistor Ignition Location

Yep, That's where my May 5, 1965 396/425 has the module.
Since I own one you may contact me off board for any additional help. Mine has about 50K on the odometer.

[Joe L.]

Re: 65 Transistor Ignition Location

John-----

It's very possible that the TI was removed from the car at some earlier time. In the old days, the TI amplifiers were prone to failure and they were relatively expensive. Someone who experienced a few module failures might have decided to replace the distributor with a standard points type unit. In fact, the original TI distributor could have been converted to a points-type unit with the removal of the TI innerds and replacement with some relatively inexpensive parts. The car would operate just fine with a breaker-point ignition replacing the original TI.

If the radiator support "dimples" were never drilled for the module attaching screws, then the situation becomes more suspect. That means that either the car was never originally TI-equipped (and, thus, it was not an original L-78) or the radiator support was replaced after a conversion to points-type ignition.

[Wayne M.]

Re: 65 TI Module location and Build Date Range

John -- to add to what the others have said re module location, the lower left of the 3 holes (RH rad support, viewed from engine side) is just a finger's width below the oval slot with the inner-projecting lip. the top hole is the point of the 3-hole triangle. (Just like side-exhaust cars) if there is no module currently mounted, you should check for the traces left by self-threading screws. I don't think there were ever "dimples"; otherwise location dimensions for these TI amps would not have been necessary (AIM says to "use amp as template").

The voltage requlator on L78 cars is mounted on the driver's side fender, and like '65 air cars, near the rad support, and below the horn relay. Here are where the locator dimples have to be drilled, with the corresponding production holes on the passenger side fender filled with cement.

As to production range, do you mean the engine dates (block cast and Tonawanda assembly) versus vehicle build date ? Depending on VIN #, on all examples I've heard of or seen, expect a casting date no later than F-9-5, and an assembly date no later than T0715IF. If you were early in the month, of course the "T" date would pre-date the final assy. by 1 to 3 weeks, but the cast dates still cluster from E-27-5 to F-9-5. These dates are approximate, to be used as a guide, but anything outside of these may require closer scrutiny.

[John O.]

Re: 65 Transistor Ignition Location

Wayne:

I know for sure that the voltage regulator was mounted in the correct location you described and that the horn relay was above it. However, was that location of volt. regulator and horn relay unique to L78 cars?? Also, thank you for the clarification regarding the engine build date. It does fall within the range you describe. The build date for the car itself was L14.

John Osterholm

[Wayne M.]

Re: 65 Transistor Ignition Location

John -- I believe the volt regulator is in exactly the same place, whether a C60 or L78; but the horn relay on the 396 is mounted vertically (the base and wires underneath) and on the air cars, it's mounted with the cap facing the engine (wires and base outboard). The change has probably something to do with very little space between the fan shroud of the big block and the inner fender.

L14 huh ? Must be a very late VIN AO Smith body or a mid-month VIN w/S-body.

[John O.]

Re: 65 Transistor Ignition Location

Wayne:

The following is from the Trim/Vin Plates on the 396:

L14 S7270 Vin is S122161
65 467 900UU

[Wayne M.]

Numbers look good to me

Let's see: 1403 cars from the end of model year production; bodies split between Ionia and St.Louis; 65% convertibles; = expect yours to be 456 S-body conv. from the end, based on the average #'s. The last '65 is a S-body convertible S-7755, build date L30. Yours is 485 S-roadster cars from the last one, so compares with what you'd expect, given that rumor is they had to get rid of a pesky surplus of A-body convertibles The L14 S-body date is also in agreement.

[John O.]

Thanks To All

Just wanted to thank all of you who have responded to my question--It has been a great help. I will see the car again in two days and will update everyone in the next few days on my search.

John