1966 Roadster ID

[Jim Cochrane]

I recently purchased a 1966 roadster and was told it was originally a big block car. Sadly the original motor is gone. The car has a rear stabilizer bar, the correct tach redline for the 390 HP 427, a 80 lb oil pressure quage and the larger radiator. Recently I was told the the vehicle weight on the title will validate if the car was a big block. The vehicle weight for my car is 3,100 pounds. Does this prove what motor was in the car originally and if so what motor would it have been (my car was not originally equiped with air or power steering). If not, what other things should I be looking at?

Help Jim Cochrane

[Dave#24235]

Re: 1966 Roadster ID

I believe I have seen the list of option weight additions in a parts manual. Maybe someone else can help with that. Look for a 3/8 inch diameter fuel line all the way to the tank. Make sure the axles have caps on the yoke connections, not U bolts. If the clutch housing is original, it should be a 444. The differential housing is stamped with the assembly date and ratio code. SB and BB cars used different codes for the same ratio (see parts book). If the 80 pound oil gauge is original, it will have a STEEL line to the engine. The lower engine compartment shields are different with a BB car. - Dave.... PS: The rear spring should be 7 leaf. Originals are hard to find...PPS What is the VIN suffix? I may have the engine

[Duke W.]

Re: 1966 Roadster ID

Sounds like an original BB. The shipping weights listed for vehicle titling are less than "curb weight" (full fuel). These numbers appear to be a bit fudged and are based on a no option model with little or no fuel load. For example, the vehicle registration reference weight listed in the AMA specs for my '63 SWC is 2859 pounds, but I know the curb weight is little under 3100.

Since the BB was a good 150 pounds heavier than a SB, I'd say that a shipping/registration weight of 3100 has to be a BB. The post '63 midyears did gain weight (disk brakes were heavier for example), but SBs didn't gain 150 pounds between '63 and '66 - maybe 50 at most.

Duke