I have recently been looking at 65 396 corvettes and have noticed that all except one (the one I am looking at buying) have the word "Pass." in raised cast letters on the engine block towards the firewall, passenger side (I believe) behind the distributor. The one that was different had "HiPerf." cast in the block. What is the difference? I understood that "HiPerf." or "Truck" meant that it was a 4 bolt main and "Pass." meant it was a 2 bolt main, but I also thought that ALL big block vettes had 4 bolt mains. Is this engine block trying to tell me something like "I am not original to this car" or something like that? Also what is the significance of the cast numbers on the driver's side in the same approximate area and how do I interpret these numbers? Thanks
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Re: 396 engine question
my stats say the casting # should be 3855962 on the rear driver side bell housing flange and the stamped suffix on the front should be IF. both these items can be counterfitted so i would take someone who knows the tricks with you to check. -
Re: 396 engine question
The Alan Covin book on numbers gives the same number for the 396 block used in the 65 Corvette as what Clem has posted. Other information is that the 962 block was not csted until Feb 65 and had no dowel pins for the timing chain cover. Alan's book also mentions the drilling of the 4 bolt block above the oil filter for an external oil filter cooler if needed in racing applications. If you don't have this book you could visit local book store and view the information I have mentioned. There is also a mention of a "P" nest to the block #3855962 casting number, but says it is unclear exactly what it stands for and that one explanation is that P indicates passenger car usage for the block, but this has not been verified.Comment
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Re: 396 engine question
Check the VIN# and confirm the build date. The 396 did not enter production until February 1965.Comment
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Re: 396 engine question
there are 2 pipe threaded holes above the oil filter boss,1 is for the oil pressure gague and the other will have a 1/2" pipe thread plug in it on all 4 bolt blocks. the early 427 also did not have dowel pins for the timing gear cover as i made a special locating fixture back then to center the front crank seal on the crankshaft snout because if you did not do this you had a oil leak. if i remember correctly there are 2 cast "ribs" on the front of the block running from the top of the timing gear cover area to the flat part of the block where the manifold seals to the block on thse early blocks. this last statement come from a very foggy memory of 35 years ago.Comment
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Re: 396 engine question
Clem - I would be interested in the details of your centering tool if you are willing to send them to me via email...thx!...CraigComment
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Re: 396 engine question
it is just a cly with the ID a slip fit on the crank,with a notch for clearing the crank key, and the OD the same as the OD of the balancer hub. i will take the measurements and send them to you.Comment
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Re: 396 engine question
i made mine from alumimum stock, 2.335/.340 O.D.,1.605/608 I.D.,1.125 thick. cut a bevel the OD on one end for easy input to the seal. i drilled a 3/8" hole the blank offcenter for crank key clearence before boring out the ID. i just slip it over the crank snout thru the seal with the cover in place but not bolted tight,then snug up the bolts.Comment
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Re: 396 engine question
Thx Clem - this makes total sense, I was assuming something like this, lets the cover "float" into position.....then snug down. Sounds like a good project for the metal lathe. Thx for the dimensions, I have copied and pasted your post into a permanent file....CraigComment
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Re: 396 engine question
All early built 396 Corvette blocks said PASS. up until the mid 18,000 vin #s then they said HI PER all 396 Corvette blocks were 4 bolt main and had ribs on the front & back of the block.962 4 bolt main blocks were also used on early 66 chevelles but did not have ribs on them.Comment
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EXCELLENT!
This is correct skinny (PASS vs. HI PERF + presense/absense of front reinforcing ribs) on early vs. late L78, '962 block that IS detailed in the '65 NCRS Judging Guide book....Comment
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