66 427 Questions

[Mike#34017]

Looking at a 66 Convertible a few hours away, owner says was originally a 427/425 BB car but now has a 327 in it. He bought it that way. Trim tag codes match color and trim on the car now. Below is the evidence he claims causes it to be an original BB car:

"Correct rear end/half shafts, rear sway bar, thicker front sway bar, 427 emblem holes, Transistor ignition holes, correct radiator support and fan shroud (cut to accomodate the 327), 80lb oil pressure gauge, and 6500 rpm tach. Also has holes for BB left side hood support."

What else could be easily checked to validate the BB claim? How far should I go to try and validate this claim that would prove the BB status to most reasonable folks? I'm interested in the car, but only if I it is originally a 427/425. Thanks for any info/input in advance!

[Michael W.]

Re: 66 427 Questions

You mean there's actually a midyear out there with a small block that used to be a 435 big block? I always it was the other way around.

I believe everything you describe constitute good 'clues' but are easy enough to duplicate in the field.

[Mike#34017]

Re: 66 427 Questions

Are there any indicators that ARE NOT EASILY duplicated? If all are easily duplicated, then how does anyone document a BB Corvette without window sticker and/or tank sticker? Can't you duplicate those too? What other "clues" should I find on the car?

[William C.]

Re: 66 427 Questions

Location- angle of the gas line from the tank to the pump (at the pump end of the line) is another clue, hard to change w/o a body off.

[Tom D.]

Fuel Line Photo - Which is this? *NM*

[Tom D.]

C2 1966 Big block fuel line? *NM*

[William C.]

Re: C2 1966 Big block fuel line?

Bigblock Tom, the smallblock comes only to about the middle of the engine mount on the frame, and runs at about a 45 degree angle to reach the pump, which uses an inlet toward the rear of the car. The bigblock extends several inches foreward as the picture shows, and bends at a more right angle to reach the BB fuel pump inlet location. The extra bend coming out of the clamp is not factory, but it doesn't detract from the picture demonstrating the greater length of the BB Fuel line. The trick is the belhousing is located at a fixed point in the car, and the BB engine is longer so the line is extended to compensate for the block length, as well as I beleive a more frontal location for the inlet, although I'm relying on my fading memory on the BB pump inlet location.

[Tom D.]

Thanks Bill - Great Reply! *NM*