'65 396 4 bolt 962 block usage?

[George W.]

I guess that a H 27 5 3855962 4 bolt block would be too late for a Corvette application? How long were these blocks used in passenger cars? Any idea of the value of this block--.30 over bore, good condition, decked? Thanks, G

[Mike M.]

Re: '65 396 4 bolt 962 block usage?

it's probably an over the counter block. not useful for ncrs judging purposes as you surmise. i doubt it'd be date-appropriate for any chevy pass cars either as the 65 pass cars were 396's but think their casting # is 941 instead of 942. the 396 was dropped in favor of 427's in 66 full size chevys. its probably gonna end up in a street rod and as such the bare block ought to be worth 500 bucks or so. good luck, mike

[Mike M.]

Re: '65 396 4 bolt 962 block usage?

i screwed up the typewriter. the 65 396 vette cast # is 962. the 66 427 is 942 in vettes. sorry, mike

[Jack H.]

Re: '65 396 4 bolt 962 block usage?

'962 is the correct casting number for '65 Corvette BB despite what Mike said. There are early and late versions of the block (with and without 'gussets' above the timing chain cover). Although the 396 was a half-year only Corvette offering, it continued in use for full sized Chevy, Chevelle and others for several years.

What's the value of a 30-over 962 block with a cast date too late for legitimate Corvette usage? The last two that sold locally went for about $500 as bare blocks...

[Mark #28455]

961 vs 962 blocks

While the 962 block was used for the 1965 Corvette and 1965 and 1966 passenger cars, the 961 was used in passenger cars in 1965 and 1966. Rumor has it that the 1966 model 427 block was not available at the start of the production run and 961 blocks were bored out to 427 size and used - urban ledgend?

I currently own a February 1965 961 block and a Sept 1965 962 block (with the gussets). The better question to ask is why did the factory bother to have two different 396 block castings at the exact same time - what a waste of effort as the 961 and 962 blocks are functionally identical and were both produced at the same engine plant. Go figure!