How to identify a 65 big block corvette

[Dave Bryer]

How can I identify a 65 big block corvette? What features did they come with that make them different than a small block car? And are there any variations between big block cars for 1965?

[Rich G.]

Re: How to identify a 65 big block corvette

Start with the 65 Technical Information Manual and Judging Guide for sale on this website. There are also many threads in the archives on this topic. There's a lot of stuff, some easy to spot and/or fake, some not so easy.

I am no expert, so I won't start a list here, but if you are looking at a car to buy find an NCRS member near you who knows these cars and pay him to go look at it.

After you read the book, you'll understand why.

There are some here who would think this is straightforward, and it probably is for them, but for a novice, it is mind boggeling. My first vette was a 66 small block that I bought 4 years ago. I THOUGHT I knew what I was looking at. Now I still sit there with the book and the car in front of me and get confused.

Good Luck

Rich Giannotti

[Bill W.]

Re: How to identify a 65 big block corvette

about the only variation in 65 BB would be the block casting (not casting #) early blocks were cast PASS. later blocks hi per. These are probably the hardest BBs to fake.Bill

[James W.]

Re: How to identify a 65 big block corvette

Dave,

According to the latest revision of the 1965 NCRS Technical Information and Judging Guide there are a few differences that may be identifable between a smal block car and a big block car (1965).

A few of them that I have came up with are;

- On a small block car is the main fuel line near the fuel pump has a 45 degree bend and a big block car has a 90 degree bend.

- A metal clip is attached to the right lower firewall to retain the portion of the wiring harness serving the starter motor on A/C equipped cars and L78 425 hp cars. On small block cars without A/C, a "J" clip is attached to the heater cover stud to restrain the harness serving the starter motor.

- A '65 big block car is equipped with transister ignition and does not use a ballast resistor that is typically mounted on the drivers side firewall. There should be no evidence of a hole in the firewall. Check the interior side for evidence of a hole being filled.

- A big block five-blade fan assembly is p/n 3872792, small block five-blade fan assembly is p/n 3770529.

- A big block radiator p/n's are 3005936 and 3007436, small block radiator p/n is 3155316.

- A big block radiator core supports have a larger opening than a small block car. The top of the support is arched, unlike the small block version which is flat. Big block supports do not have the saddle brackets like original small block cars. The support protrudes forward on the lower left, and the left horn mounts at the bottom edge of the bump.

- A small block front stablizer bar is 3/4" in diameter, big block car stablizer bars are 7/8" in diameter.

- A small block differential half shafts are atached with steel "U" bolts, lock wahers and hex nuts, big block cars atach via a steel cap secured with hex nuts.

- All big block '65 Corvettes have a rear stabilizer bar, small block cars do not.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

James West
Omaha, NE.

[Mark G.]