Big Block Hood Grilles/vents 1966

[Carl N.]

Re: Big Block Hood Grilles/vents 1966

How about the fateners?
Screws or hex nuts?

Phillips Head Chrome Plated screws as Wayne described on all restored/judged L78's I've seen over past 30+ years. Sorry I have know idea about '66 427's.

I saw quite a few in the late 70's and early 80's before the restoration craze took hold with unplated screws, flat wood screws, and machine head bolts. I would guess that the cars that were daily drivers (65&66) may have lost more than one original screw and retainer just from vibrations!

I know I took the rain shields off mine real early on and just ran the outer chrome vents to help dissapate the heat. Put them back on for judging.

[Ronald L.]

Re: Big Block Hood Grilles/vents 1966

The 1965 screw number is 9423201 and a web search of that produces an interesting article by Everett Ogilvie with some of our other notables here too. The change in August 65 to 9424334 is also referenced.

Looks clear that 65 had a chromed philips head screw, but when did the 66 change tot he hex head as is referenced in this article?

[Keith B.]

Re: Big Block Hood Grilles/vents 1966

I have an original unrestored late '66 427/425 (..27153) the finish is as you describe. The outer band and vertical bars are chrome, while the inside surfaces are argent.

[Wayne G.]

Re: Big Block Hood Grilles/vents 1966

My '66 with a Nov 30 '65 build date car has the hex head fastners attaching the hood grilles to the hood. There was gray/white caulking on the rain shields also.

Wayne