62-65 250 HP valve cover decal Part Two

[Michael H.]

Part two. I think we may have shown evidence in a previous discussion that the 250 horsepower decal, part number 3852257, was not used, and did not exist for 62-63, and so far, we haven't seen any evidence that it did exist. Link below.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...20681&uid=4251

I think there's more to the story though. I have a feeling that no 62-65 Corvette had a 250 horsepower decal on the valve cover.

Has anyone ever seen the decal or it's 3852257 part number in a 64 or 65 GM Assembly Instructions Manual?

[John H.]

Re: 62-65 250 HP valve cover decal Part Two

I think there's more to the story though. I have a feeling that no 62-65 Corvette had a 250 horsepower decal on the valve cover.

Has anyone ever seen the decal or it's 3852257 part number in a 64 or 65 GM Assembly Instructions Manual?

Nope, not in either one - only the center "327 Turbo-Fire" sticker.

[William C.]

Re: 62-65 250 HP valve cover decal Part Two

I believe that is correct, only the "optional" engines got the valve cover decal, not the base package.

[Michael H.]

Re: 62-65 250 HP valve cover decal Part Two

Thanks John, Bill,

I know most of the 62-65 guys are probably a bit skeptical on this one but I think we have proof that no horsepower decal was used on ANY 62-65 Corvette with a base 250 horsepower engine.

Throughout the first discussion I mentioned the part number, 3852257, for the 250 hp decal. I was wondering if anyone was curious as to where I came up with that number as it never appeared in any of the 62-65 Corvette Assembly Instruction Manuals.
We know that all of the "optional" engines in that manual showed the decal and it's part number so we know it would have been a St Louis installed item.
Because the 250 HP engine was the base engine, it received no HP decal.

"So, if no 62-65 Corvette was originally fitted with a 250 HP decal, why is there such a deca? There are pictures of new 250 HP engines with the decal and the Corvette books that have all the "facts" claim there was too".

I think the story started about 30-35 years ago when people began restoring old Corvettes and several books/publications/reproduction decals flooded the market. The rest was history. (like many other stories from the past)

"If 62-65 Corvettes never had a 250 HP decal, where did they come from"?

Passenger car.

About 4 or 5 years ago, I contacted a friend that is deep into 62-64 full size Chevy's. I asked about the decal and if he happened to have AIM's for those cars. He agreed, the 62 and 63 cars never had the decal but.... 64 DID.
He scanned/sent AIM sheets for 62, 63 and 64. No decal shown for 62 or 63 but the 64 sheet clearly showed the 3852257 part number and the drawing of the decal on the engine.

I'll post the 63 and 64 passenger car AIM sheet scans.

[Michael H.]

Re: 62-65 250 HP valve cover decal Part Two

AIM sheets for 64 passenger car on left and Corvette on right. No decal or part number shown on Corvette. The last item in the parts list for the pass car, item #40, is the 3852257 250 HP decal.
I'll try to rescan larger but I'm havig problems posting better scans.

[John F.]

Re: 62-65 250 HP valve cover decal Part Two

Why does Noland's book on page #330 say that for all 61-62 base models there was a 250 hp decal on the right valve cover only? I just purchased another 62, car #29 and it does not have one on the right cover. It's a survivor with 49,000 miles.

[Ray K.]

Re: 62-65 250 HP valve cover decal Part Two

Michael

I have a Chevrolet Parts - Direct Order Form to Prentice Products in
Fort Wayne, IN. Back then, Chevrolet did not provide these decals thru
the normal parts distribution system: they had to be direct ordered from
the supplier. Their form states that decal # 3852257 for 250 HP was used
on 1964 production.

Ray

[John H.]

Re: 62-65 250 HP valve cover decal Part Two

Why does Noland's book on page #330 say that for all 61-62 base models there was a 250 hp decal on the right valve cover only?

John -

Most likely because we've researched and learned a few things in the 29 years since the book was printed.

[John F.]

Re: 62-65 250 HP valve cover decal Part Two

Thank you John. I guess I an pull the one off my red 62.
John F

[William N.]

Re: 62-65 250 HP valve cover decal Part Two

The 3816235 decal called out in the 62 assembly manual is the 327 thick foil label that is mounted in the central depression on the top of the rocker cover. In 1963 it became a part of the rocker cover aseembly, and yes it did have some sort of paper cover over it.

[Jack H.]

Re: 62-65 250 HP valve cover decal Part Two

Interesting! Why would Chevy passenger cars put the 250 HP label on the engine while Corvette didn't. 'Perhaps' the answer is the 250 HP V8 was the base engine for Corvette while the 'same' engine for the passenger car line was an upgrade/option from the base 6-cylinder...

[Dan S.]

Re: 62-65 250 HP valve cover decal Part Two

I have a 65 (Nov. 64 production date) with the 250 hp decals attached. The car looks to have been restored at some point in its life so I am assuming the were added at that point. I am planning to detail the engine this winter so this leaves me with the question of whether or not to install new 250 hp decals. Am I correct to assume I should install new decals if I plan to have it judged?

[Michael H.]

Re: 62-65 250 HP valve cover decal Part Two

I have a 65 (Nov. 64 production date) with the 250 hp decals attached. The car looks to have been restored at some point in its life so I am assuming the were added at that point. I am planning to detail the engine this winter so this leaves me with the question of whether or not to install new 250 hp decals. Am I correct to assume I should install new decals if I plan to have it judged?

Hmmmmm.... Good question. Since decals are really easy to install, and no tools are required, I would probably bring a new set of decals to the event and if one of the other cars in the group looses points because it didn't have them, I would quickly install them on my car. Just hope your not the first car to be judged.

[William C.]

Re: 62-65 250 HP valve cover decal Part Two

Although easy to install, the correct water-soluble adhesive ones are a PITA to remove. I'd go to Fla with the best info you have, and see how it shakes out rather than waiting for a new JG (soon I think) for '65 to be issued and trying to remove them then.

[Michael H.]

Re: 62-65 250 HP valve cover decal Part Two

Although easy to install, the correct water-soluble adhesive ones are a PITA to remove. I'd go to Fla with the best info you have, and see how it shakes out rather than waiting for a new JG (soon I think) for '65 to be issued and trying to remove them then.

Or, an owner could contact the team leaders for the 62-65 classes and ask which way they want it to go for judging at the next event. I would guess that they have seen this discussion?