1966 L72 427 425/450 Hard Core Guys Weigh In Here

[Peter M.]

There were 5,258 L72 427 425/450 cars built in 1966. None that I know of was ever produced with A.I.R or A/C. The alternator and optional Power Steering were on the driver’s side. Yet they all have an accessory bolt/stud arrangement on the passenger side upper water pump bolt hole. Where was the stud put on the block – Tonawanda engine factory or St Louis ?? If it was engine plant – would it not be painted ? If it was a painted bolt which was then changed at the St Louis plant to a fresh unpainted stud, that might explain why it was not painted – but why remove a bolt and install a bolt/stud for no reason – and 5,258 times !!. Remember the SHP L72 was not an A.I.R car or an A/C car. What am I missing here ?
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[Wayne W.]

Re: 1966 L72 427 425/450 Hard Core Guys Weigh In H

Installed at the engine plant and painted orange.

[Michael H.]

Re: 1966 L72 427 425/450 Hard Core Guys Weigh In H

Tom,

I don't know this for a fact but I think the stud was installed at the Tonawanda plant on all big blocks of the era. The reason it was installed was the fact that it would have been the negative battery cable connection for all vehicles except Corvette but it was easier, and less confusing, to just add the stud to all engines. That would also be a good reason why it was not painted along with the rest of the engine assy.

Michael

[Peter M.]

Re: 1966 L72 427 425/450 Hard Core Guys Weigh In H

Michael - this seems to make sense - would they then have masked the bolt/stud or just the thread portion or would they have installed after painting ?

[Michael H.]

Re: 1966 L72 427 425/450 Hard Core Guys Weigh In H

Just a guess but, I would say the bolt was probably installed after engine paint? (much easier than masking) I vaguely remember seeing these bolts on new 66 Corvettes with no paint on it.

[John L.]

Everett Ogilvie -- Please respond *NM*

[Everett Ogilvie]

Re: Everett Ogilvie -- Please respond

Hi Guys - my Bowtie L72 still had some remaining paint on the hex head of the stud, but none (and thus rust) on the exposed threads. I have always heard that it was installed at engine build, and the threads were covered not with masking tape but a sleeve of some sort that they slid onto the threads (that would be fairly simple and quick to do during assembly). All I know is that when I judge these motors, I like to see paint on the hex head, but better not see any on the exposed threads, or you will be getting a 2nd Flight! kidding...

[Peter M.]

Re: Everett Ogilvie -- Please respond

Now this makes complete and total sense - THANK YOU ALL !!

[John L.]

Re: Everett Ogilvie -- Thank You !! *NM*