66 coupe NOM big block

[Craig S.]

Re: 66 coupe NOM big block

Don - one other point...color is meaningless as it is stripped to raw glass, interior out, but going back in. What I really want to evaluate is frame integrity, body originality and condition...plus repair technique and quality, which should be fairly easy in raw state. Plus, if the guy is trying to get his garage space back, (he called it his doorstop).....maybe there is a good deal lurking. IF the engine is period correct even though known not original, and has a lot of the correct original stuff, etc.

I suspect other tell tale clues of a 425 would be TI ignition, harness etc, or at least holes in the LH front fender for the TI unit....etc....later!...Craig

[Craig S.]

Re: 66 coupe NOM big block

Don - one other point...color is meaningless as it is stripped to raw glass, interior out, but going back in. What I really want to evaluate is frame integrity, body originality and condition...plus repair technique and quality, which should be fairly easy in raw state. Plus, if the guy is trying to get his garage space back, (he called it his doorstop).....maybe there is a good deal lurking. IF the engine is period correct even though known not original, and has a lot of the correct original stuff, etc.

I suspect other tell tale clues of a 425 would be TI ignition, harness etc, or at least holes in the LH front fender for the TI unit....etc....later!...Craig

[Page C.]

Re: 66 coupe NOM big block

Hi Craig,
Might check the rear for a AT (3:08), AU (3:36), AZ (3:55), FA (3:70), FB (4:11), or a FC (4:56). These were all 427 rear end codes for 1966. Also it should have a rear sway bar. The radiator core supports are the same but the big blocks use a cradle-like support to hold the radiator. Big block cars have the hood support on the left side. Some very early vin number cars may have a right side support and air cond. small blocks. The accelerator lever at the firewall has a different shape from a small block. There should be no mounting bracket for a expanison tank on the inter fender as this was a small block only item.
Hope some of these help. Keep us up to date on this.
Page Campbell

[Page C.]

Re: 66 coupe NOM big block

Hi Craig,
Might check the rear for a AT (3:08), AU (3:36), AZ (3:55), FA (3:70), FB (4:11), or a FC (4:56). These were all 427 rear end codes for 1966. Also it should have a rear sway bar. The radiator core supports are the same but the big blocks use a cradle-like support to hold the radiator. Big block cars have the hood support on the left side. Some very early vin number cars may have a right side support and air cond. small blocks. The accelerator lever at the firewall has a different shape from a small block. There should be no mounting bracket for a expanison tank on the inter fender as this was a small block only item.
Hope some of these help. Keep us up to date on this.
Page Campbell

[Craig S.]

Re: 66 coupe NOM big block

I just got back from looking over the 66 big block vette. I am fighting urges to buy it on the spot and want some advice from the 66 experts on the board! First, the frame is rust free, kickups are solid and even surface free of surface pitting, as is the total frame. There is no evidence that the body has ever been off the frame....original body mounts with checking etc, evidence of tape...etc. The gas tank was replaced by the Tucson club member for the owner, and I can tell is a new reproduction or possibly GM. The interior fiberglass in the rear body shows all original bond seams intact, as does the front right hand. The only evidence of bodywork is the LH front fender, and it is obvious that there has been work done, not to my standards....as evidence of patching on the inner fender well where it joins the top hood surround,as if a patch has been placed in the top of the surround just to the left of the headlight area, and, in front of the hood prop mount on the drip rail. The inner fender actually appears to have a graft lap. The lower part of the inner fender, and all around to the rear part in the left hand fenderwell appear original, and the bond strips all seem original. By the way, there are mouting holes in the orignal inner fenderwell where the TI would bolt - it was dark but there are 2-3 holes if that seems right spaced like a TI would require. Also, on the firewall, I see no evidence of any holes where a ballast resistor would have been mounted. The alternator is incorrect for a 427/425, being the 1100693 37amp, but has a date code of 6C7.

The engine I believe to be a replacement block with the original intake manifold, heads, and carburetor. First, the manifold is casting # 3885069, which is correct in Colvins book for a 425HP. The Holley is P/N 3886161, List 3247, with a 5B1 date (Dec 1965, 1st week). Battery is mounted on the passenger side, the car has no power brakes, no power steering, it does have the correct steering box with cast iron top, all the ball joints appear to be original riveted etc, The hood is the original correct big block hood with grates (out at the moment) but the hood support reinforcing is original and this is not a replacement big block hood. The fan cluch has been removed and a direct drive and flex fan installed (has to go)....the original fan shroud is there, intact, with no repairs.

The car is an A O Smith car, with an H 07 body build date (March 7), and the car is supposed to be Milano Maroon with Saddle interior. The trim tag information is: 66 437 Trim 420, Paint 988 Body A - 3148. H07. The car VIN is 194376S116721. The guage cluster looks original, with 66 knobs, the oil pressure guage is 80PSI (consistent with 425HP), the water temp goes to 250 vs 240 (not sure what that means) the redline is 6500 RPM, consistent with 425HP. The Oil PSI is mounted low right of the tachometer, and the water temp upper right....backwords from a picture in the Vette Vues fact book for a 66. By the way, there is evidence of the Milano Maroon right next to the trim and VIN plates, but the owner was going to paint it Marina blue since he wasn't doing a fancy restoration....so they painted the cross brace this color, but the original rosettes are on the VIN, and the large head pop rivits on the trim plate, just as in my 67. The dash pads have been dyed bright blue from saddle, and he has new blue carpet and headliner in place. The seats are still saddle vinyl and removed. Fuel line from the pump up appears solid, no filter, and a t block shaped like the tripowers to split to the carb. I don't know if this is correct or not.

The iron manifolds look original, I forgot look for the casting numbers like a dummy, they show flat areas where smog fittings would be drilled but are not, they are solid castings. exhaust is all non- stock replacement stuff. It is a non side pipe car, the rear valence is correct, and untouched, with the correct holes and mounts for a 66/67. Date codes on all glass is M51 I believe.....maybe this is too early? I think I have one glass in my 67 that is about 9 months prior to build. Windshild I think has been replaced but not sure....I couldn't make out the date code well but may also have been M51. I also saw an AS2 or A52 in the glass.

I couldn find ANY casting numbers on the engine block in the normal bellhousing area on the driver side...is seems smooth casting! I also couldn't get under the car to look for castings elsewhere on the driver side lower block area. Another thing I don't understand, the lenght of the stamp pad seems too short, did replacement blocks have a a shorter pad area? It basically stops a little past the water pump leg, and doesn't continue out to the outermost edge of the head area. So, not clear at all what's inside, and it was done by a prior owner.

So....I am open for any input and thoughts. I have a bunch of pictures I could send to anyone willing to help. He is holding the car for me within reason for the next week or so, (he has owned it for 10 years, and is selling to send his son to college (also sold a motorcycle today).

Heres the item making me want to make an emotional purchase - the body work and stuff to date cost him $6K, and I am pretty sure I can buy this car for $12K....for sure no more than $14-15K.

So I am open for input and thoughts...am I being too charged wanting to run and buy this car on the spot?........thx!....Craig

She would need a lot of work, but near as I can tell this is

[Craig S.]

Re: 66 coupe NOM big block

I just got back from looking over the 66 big block vette. I am fighting urges to buy it on the spot and want some advice from the 66 experts on the board! First, the frame is rust free, kickups are solid and even surface free of surface pitting, as is the total frame. There is no evidence that the body has ever been off the frame....original body mounts with checking etc, evidence of tape...etc. The gas tank was replaced by the Tucson club member for the owner, and I can tell is a new reproduction or possibly GM. The interior fiberglass in the rear body shows all original bond seams intact, as does the front right hand. The only evidence of bodywork is the LH front fender, and it is obvious that there has been work done, not to my standards....as evidence of patching on the inner fender well where it joins the top hood surround,as if a patch has been placed in the top of the surround just to the left of the headlight area, and, in front of the hood prop mount on the drip rail. The inner fender actually appears to have a graft lap. The lower part of the inner fender, and all around to the rear part in the left hand fenderwell appear original, and the bond strips all seem original. By the way, there are mouting holes in the orignal inner fenderwell where the TI would bolt - it was dark but there are 2-3 holes if that seems right spaced like a TI would require. Also, on the firewall, I see no evidence of any holes where a ballast resistor would have been mounted. The alternator is incorrect for a 427/425, being the 1100693 37amp, but has a date code of 6C7.

The engine I believe to be a replacement block with the original intake manifold, heads, and carburetor. First, the manifold is casting # 3885069, which is correct in Colvins book for a 425HP. The Holley is P/N 3886161, List 3247, with a 5B1 date (Dec 1965, 1st week). Battery is mounted on the passenger side, the car has no power brakes, no power steering, it does have the correct steering box with cast iron top, all the ball joints appear to be original riveted etc, The hood is the original correct big block hood with grates (out at the moment) but the hood support reinforcing is original and this is not a replacement big block hood. The fan cluch has been removed and a direct drive and flex fan installed (has to go)....the original fan shroud is there, intact, with no repairs.

The car is an A O Smith car, with an H 07 body build date (March 7), and the car is supposed to be Milano Maroon with Saddle interior. The trim tag information is: 66 437 Trim 420, Paint 988 Body A - 3148. H07. The car VIN is 194376S116721. The guage cluster looks original, with 66 knobs, the oil pressure guage is 80PSI (consistent with 425HP), the water temp goes to 250 vs 240 (not sure what that means) the redline is 6500 RPM, consistent with 425HP. The Oil PSI is mounted low right of the tachometer, and the water temp upper right....backwords from a picture in the Vette Vues fact book for a 66. By the way, there is evidence of the Milano Maroon right next to the trim and VIN plates, but the owner was going to paint it Marina blue since he wasn't doing a fancy restoration....so they painted the cross brace this color, but the original rosettes are on the VIN, and the large head pop rivits on the trim plate, just as in my 67. The dash pads have been dyed bright blue from saddle, and he has new blue carpet and headliner in place. The seats are still saddle vinyl and removed. Fuel line from the pump up appears solid, no filter, and a t block shaped like the tripowers to split to the carb. I don't know if this is correct or not.

The iron manifolds look original, I forgot look for the casting numbers like a dummy, they show flat areas where smog fittings would be drilled but are not, they are solid castings. exhaust is all non- stock replacement stuff. It is a non side pipe car, the rear valence is correct, and untouched, with the correct holes and mounts for a 66/67. Date codes on all glass is M51 I believe.....maybe this is too early? I think I have one glass in my 67 that is about 9 months prior to build. Windshild I think has been replaced but not sure....I couldn't make out the date code well but may also have been M51. I also saw an AS2 or A52 in the glass.

I couldn find ANY casting numbers on the engine block in the normal bellhousing area on the driver side...is seems smooth casting! I also couldn't get under the car to look for castings elsewhere on the driver side lower block area. Another thing I don't understand, the lenght of the stamp pad seems too short, did replacement blocks have a a shorter pad area? It basically stops a little past the water pump leg, and doesn't continue out to the outermost edge of the head area. So, not clear at all what's inside, and it was done by a prior owner.

So....I am open for any input and thoughts. I have a bunch of pictures I could send to anyone willing to help. He is holding the car for me within reason for the next week or so, (he has owned it for 10 years, and is selling to send his son to college (also sold a motorcycle today).

Heres the item making me want to make an emotional purchase - the body work and stuff to date cost him $6K, and I am pretty sure I can buy this car for $12K....for sure no more than $14-15K.

So I am open for input and thoughts...am I being too charged wanting to run and buy this car on the spot?........thx!....Craig

She would need a lot of work, but near as I can tell this is

[Craig S.]

Re: 66 coupe NOM big block

Thx Page - see my post below. The hood prop is on the LH side, I have some pictures I could send too. If I could figure out a website, everyone can look. I forgot to look for the sway bar like an idiot...I know about that. Ugh...probably there though. The rear diff yokes are the correct caps, and it has an F41 spring....again, I can't get under the car to check...thx!...Craig

[Craig S.]

Re: 66 coupe NOM big block

Thx Page - see my post below. The hood prop is on the LH side, I have some pictures I could send too. If I could figure out a website, everyone can look. I forgot to look for the sway bar like an idiot...I know about that. Ugh...probably there though. The rear diff yokes are the correct caps, and it has an F41 spring....again, I can't get under the car to check...thx!...Craig

[Craig S.]

Re: 66 coupe NOM big block

By the way, I forgot to mention, the title is clear, an Arizona title, and the VIN matches so there are no issues with fraud etc, a clean title. By the way, the car is not in raw glass, it has gray primer and all body lines look crisp and clean, no evidence of flares on the fenders, but some minor lip repair for stress cracks with evidence of glass buildup on the back sides that would require minor clean up...Craig

[Craig S.]

Re: 66 coupe NOM big block

By the way, I forgot to mention, the title is clear, an Arizona title, and the VIN matches so there are no issues with fraud etc, a clean title. By the way, the car is not in raw glass, it has gray primer and all body lines look crisp and clean, no evidence of flares on the fenders, but some minor lip repair for stress cracks with evidence of glass buildup on the back sides that would require minor clean up...Craig

[Craig S.]

Re: 66 coupe NOM big block

I also forgot to mention, the transmission is supposedly from a 65, I would know if I could get under and look....and someone threw a hurst t handle in that needs replacement. Still, a clean frame, near clean body 66 BB for this price seems like a good deal!....Craig

[Craig S.]

Re: 66 coupe NOM big block

I also forgot to mention, the transmission is supposedly from a 65, I would know if I could get under and look....and someone threw a hurst t handle in that needs replacement. Still, a clean frame, near clean body 66 BB for this price seems like a good deal!....Craig

[Craig S.]

Re: 66 coupe NOM big block

It also has the correct air cleaner, original lid with silk screening, etc. The doors fit perfectly in the roof line and close flush for the entire length on both sides....ne evidence of any work on the jambs or sills other than they have been painted Marina blue in prep for the body paint...which I would go back to Milano maroon....Craig

[Craig S.]

Re: 66 coupe NOM big block

It also has the correct air cleaner, original lid with silk screening, etc. The doors fit perfectly in the roof line and close flush for the entire length on both sides....ne evidence of any work on the jambs or sills other than they have been painted Marina blue in prep for the body paint...which I would go back to Milano maroon....Craig

[Don Ursery]

Re: 66 coupe NOM big block

Craig,

Sounds like you had a very busy day. You definitely did alot of homework and documenting. Are the bumpers and other trim there? What about the radio, wheels (hubcaps) spare tire tub? What about the enterior trim? Door knobs, panels? How about the headlight motors? Great to hear about the Title, that's a big hurdle. This sounds very good (without pictures). I have a 327 '66 Mosport Green and I didn't have anything to work with except original motor and tranny. The rest was missing and boy did it cost me! I'm now working on an all original '62 Tuxedo Black/Saddle and I made sure it had as much original with it prior to purchase. I truly learned from the '66. Good luck and we'll be awaiting your updates.