C2 396 Start of Builds? Heads in early 66?

[Tom D.]

If I read Mr. Colvin's book correctly, it states the 396 Oval port heads used in 1965 Passenger cars MAY have been used on "very early" 1966 Corvettes with 427 390 HP engines, "before October, 1965". Any proof of this out there?

Same page of "Chevrolet by The Numbers - 1965..." also states that the later ...702 heads were used for "all 66 oval port applications". I assume the switch-over to ...702 heads took place at different times for different assembly plants, due to possible backlogs of differing sizes.

How about the beginning date for 396 in Corvettes?

Thanks
Tom Dingman
4889




Mich Chapter Site - Home Page

[William C.]

Re: C2 396 Start of Builds? Heads in early 66?

Tom, the heads were all assembled at Tonawanda, only source, so changeover should have beenfrom and engine assembly date standpoint sinultaneous for 396/427 engines, or nearly so.

[Wayne M.]

Start date for 396's

Tom -- The (ex) Bill Mock car is generally recognized as the first REGULAR
PRODUCTION L78, VIN # 12864. From the brochure of 1995 Bloomington Special Collection, it says final build on Friday March 19th 1965; delivered to Quality Chevrolet in Wichita KS.

I haven't heard any dispute of that date.

[Bill W.]

Re: Start date for 396's

12201,12584,12682,12853,....is Bills 12846 or 12864 ?

[Wayne M.]

That pamphlet says ...864 (same last 2 digits as

the last 396.