The dealer order guide for 65 indicates that power steering was not available with the 396. I have seen two big block '65s claiming to have factory P/S. Anyone know if it was, or was not, a factory option with the 396? Maybe later in the year model year?
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John -
Re: 65 Power Steering option
John - Another NCRS member, Gary Cowans, and I have been compiling a list of 1965 L78's and the list exists in two places, accessible here on the NCRS site...1965 L78 Corvettes July 31 2020.xlsx - Microsoft Excel Online (live.com)
and also on the public C2Registry.org. So far we have 342 out of the 2157 made and have seen a number of them that have Power Steering but,
can't tell you if any of them were factory installations.Mike T. - Prescott AZ. -
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Re: 65 Power Steering option
Mike, Thanks. I see one on that list with PS listed, #13655.
Keith, definitely both cars are L78 engines. I suspect the power steering was added to at least the one car that had a frame off and lacks any documentation.JohnComment
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In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: 65 Power Steering option
Thanks, Joe. That's exactly what I was referencing as indication that Power Steering was not available with the L78 396 motor. Nolan Adams makes no reference of the PS on the L78 even though he does describe the second belt between the crankshaft and pulley. Unless someone knows otherwise, Im going with PS would have been an aftermarket add on to an L78 car.JohnComment
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Re: 65 Power Steering option
@Mike T. Do you (Or anyone) know if there is a compiled list for the L76? Any help is appreciated!Comment
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Re: 65 Power Steering option
I own a 65 L78 with power steering. The car is an original L78 car and the power brake set-up looks original, it is identical to the N40 diagram shown in the 65 AIM N40 option page 7. Note: the diagram in the AIM N40 options page 7 shows the power steering on a L78 engine. My car was frame-off restored in 2005 (not by me). It is a high option convertible with the following options: A02, C07, F40, G81, J50, K66, L78, M20, N32, N36, N40, P48, U69, Z01 and a non original N14. I purchased the car in 2018 from a man who I believe to be honest and trustworthy. He told me, at the time of purchase, that all the options were present on the car before restoration, except for the side exhaust which was added during restoration.
I am currently preparing the car for flight judging in March at the Southeast Chapter Event in Pigeon Forge, TN. Adjusting the belts on the P.S. and alternator on the car is a real pain in the butt - I completely removed the alternator and power steering components to ensure correct alignment and belt tension. All the components are identical to the above referenced AIM diagram. I searched the forum for information during this effort and ran across the thread, so I contacted the previous owner (who had the restoration done professionally) and asked him again about the options - he assured me again that all the options were present on the car prior to restoration, except for the side exhaust. Considering the condition of the car prior to restoration, it seems unlikely that a previous owner would have gone to the trouble to add the power steering using all correct components. I have no documentation to prove that the P.S. in original to the car, but their seems to be no definitive proof that it is not. It seems unlikely to me that Chevrolet would put a diagram in the AIM showing P.S. on a L78 if it were not an available option. However, if I learned anything since joining the NCRS, it is that their are members that have tons more knowledge of these cars than I do.
I have been a NCRS member since 2002, but only recently joined the S.E. chapter and became actively involved. I have gained much knowledge from trolling the forum these past 20 years and would like to think all the members who have spent so much time and effort in make this forum such a valuable asset. If I can figure out the procedure I will add a picture of my car during restoration with the drive train on the frame with P.S. installed.
I did not find my car listed in the L78 registry. So I'm providing the following information for inclusion in the registry in case Mike Tarrant sees this post.
VIN 194675S114510 - A O Smith body - Color Code, CC Emine White - Trim, STD - Location, Alabama
Thanks, Ralph Goode 37874Comment
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Re: 65 Power Steering option
Ralph - Your Roadster was seriously loaded with options alright. We'd love to add your 65 L78 to the lists, yours will wind up being #346 on the list so far out of the original 2157 made. I'll be contacting Gary Cowans today to forward your 65 Bigblock info. On the subject of factory Power Steering installations on factory L78s, I never knew that it wasn't allowed from the factory until after I bought mine. I have added PS to my other Corvettes over the years that didn't originally come with that option, just due to personal preference, and am in the process of adding PS to my L78 right now. About a year ago I added PS to my L72 Roadster and since I was using aftermarket brackets, it did take a fair amount of 'adjusting' to get it working and expect I'll have my work cut out for me on the L78 installation too.
Good luck with your Flight Judging.Mike T. - Prescott AZ.Comment
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Re: 65 Power Steering option
There are two possibilities - either the car had 69 cubes added to its stock 327CID, or the Power steering was added to the vehicle.
There isn't any amount of Hopium that is going to get Chevrolet Central Office to put this option on a vehicle for free.
Please keep in mind, as the NCRS was just getting started in the mid 1970s... y-all only were looking at C1 Corvettes, that were not even called C1 at the time, there were two groupings!
A mid-year big block at the time of Iran Oil embargo could be had for 2-5k - no one was restoring them, or better said, no one was really paying attention to who was modifying what.
So what was restored back then would look old and original 25 years later in 2000.Comment
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Re: 65 Power Steering option
Ronald,
Don't know about "Hopium", but I do know that on page 189 of the NRCS 1965 Corvette Technical Information Manual and Judging Guide it says: "Power steering was not available on the L76-365 hp or L84-375 hp engines. However, it was available on L78 cars 4225 hp engine option." Also the 65 AIM option section N40 page 7 titled Hydraulic Steering - Gen. Pulleys Belts & P/S Pump Mounting - UPC L78" has a diagram of the exact P/S configuration that is on my car shown on a L78 engine. I guess K. C. Strawmyre and his 65 manual team has the same "Hopium" that I have.Comment
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Re: 65 Power Steering option
How any one can refute GM Chevrolet documentation ???
Of those cars
How many have the original window sticker
Or pop?Comment
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Re: 65 Power Steering option
There is four ECL codes assigned to N40 AA: 2,731, AB: 310, AD: 175, and AF: 20. I would think AA was the base engine, AB 327/300, AD was 327/350, and AF the 396Comment
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