'66 engine number

[Steve]

Looking at buying a 66 conv. The engine number is F0108HDH - Does anybody know what the last H is for ??

[Steve]

Re: '66 engine number

Forgot to add NCRS number - 33816 to orginal post.

[Tom B.]

Re: '66 engine number

Steve,

I'm presuming you're getting the HDH engine code from somewhere other than the engine stamp pad, and if so, the last H should designate the engine as "Holley" equipped. TBarr #24014

[Mark J.]

Re: '66 engine number

Steve,

As you probably know, Midyear Corvettes have two-letter suffixes. For example, my '66 is a 300 hp, 4-spd, with smog (K-19; A.I.R.), so the engine rating is "HH". I checked my 1967 copy of "Motor's Auto Repair Manual" for all Chevrolet suffixes. Of those listed between 1959 and 1967, all were two letters, except for a handful of single-letter suffixes for Chevrolets, Chevy II's, and Chevelles. There were no three-letter suffixes listed for any Chevrolet in this period.

Does this appear to be the original motor? (i.e., Are there other indicators that this is the original engine, such as matching serial number [VIN derivative]stamped to the left of the number you mentioned? Does the date [ F0108HDH -- January 8] appear to match the date cast on the back of the block?, etc.).

And just out of curiosity, do you have an "HD" combination of 350 hp, 4-spd, and K-19? Where does your tach redline? (i.e., between 50 and 55 rpms, or between 65 and 70 rpms).

Mark

[Mark J.]

Re: '66 engine number

Tom,

After reading your post, I found a reference to the last "H" suffix in M.F.Dobbin's "Vette Vues Fact Book" that confirms what your statement. The reference is a footnote to 1966 427's. The note reads, "Type designations for some engines will be followed by an R (Rochestor) or H (Holley-Carter) to designate carburetor requirements."

Mark

[Tom B.]

Re: '66 engine number

Mark,

I'm sort of curious about what's on Steve's engine stamp pad too. I agree with your information and what you've said about the "HD" part of the engine code suffix. My first thought was that maybe Steve was getting the "HDH" suffix from some other place, like maybe the POP or other document. TBarr #24014

[Dan 80]

Re: '66 engine number

There are 10 three letter suffixes in '66. All passenger car. Four 327's and six 396's.

The closest thing to HDH that you report is HCH which is a 327/275hp with Powerglide and Holley found in the following passenger body styles; 154/156/164/16600. You may wish to check the number again.

Also it would be much better to report all the numbers to get a better response to what your looking at, i.e. casting number, casting date, both stamped numbers on the pad and the serial number of the car.