I was told that my 65 SS was originally a 327 4spd car. It doesn`t have the original motor or tranny now. Is there any way to tell what it came with and what hp the motor was? Thanks.

Afraid not without some paper work or some trim codes from the cowl tag. Most early cars didn't have any/much paper work left in them by the assembly line workers.

Is there enough info on a 65 chevelle trim tag to say what drivetrain it had? The only thing I could get from it was Malibu SS V8. I`m going down to where the car is stored on Sunday. I`ll get the trim tag info and post it. Thanks

You can tell by the transmission tunnel and where the speedo cable enters if it had a Muncie 4-spd, but that wouldn't indicate whether it had a 283 or 327.
The trim tag from some assembly plants would also indicate the 4-spd, but no engine info. (there is one notable exception, the Z16).
Bruce

I`m pretty certain it had a 4spd originally. It still has the 4spd brake pedal and the Z-bar frame tab is welded on, not bolted. I was told the 4spd hole was still there but it has carpet over it and I could`nt feel anything. I`ll have to look from the bottom. How does the speedo cable enter differently than a automatic? Thanks.

Speedo cable retaining clips and entry are on the passenger side, all other transmissions are on the driver side. A fourspeed would also have a backup light harness that enters through the firewall. Does the trim tag have any codes on the bottom line that have 2L or 2M included or something similar?
Bruce

I`m going down to work on the car tomorrow so I`ll check for the 2L or 2M codes and to see where the speedo clips are. Thanks.

Ok, at the bottom of my trim tag it says

2L 5

I don`t know what they mean but the 2L was mentioned above. I wasn`t able to get the whole trim tag because unfortunately I hurt my back and wasn`t able to work on the car anymore. Hopefully next weekend will be better.

Speedo cable retaining clips and entry are on the passenger side, all other transmissions are on the driver side. A fourspeed would also have a backup light harness that enters through the firewall. Does the trim tag have any codes on the bottom line that have 2L or 2M included or something similar?
Bruce

Not necessarily true! I removed an original (partial vin on transmission) 4-Speed and 12-bolt from a Framingham built 1965 Malibu SS which had the -429 extension housing/driver's side speedometer. I believe it was a late August or early September 1964 build date FYI.

Not necessarily true! I removed an original (partial vin on transmission) 4-Speed and 12-bolt from a Framingham built 1965 Malibu SS which had the -429 extension housing/driver's side speedometer. I believe it was a late August or early September 1964 build date FYI.

Thanks for that information, David. The 584 extension is believed to have been introduced at the beginning of 1965 model year production or close to it. You have apparently documented evidence that there was some overlap of the 429 extension housing and the driver side speedometer cable with the Muncie 4spd in early 65 Chevelle production.

Anthony,
The 2L indicates a 4 speed. :thumbsup:

Bruce

Anthony,
The 2L indicates a 4 speed. :thumbsup:

Bruce

What does the 5 mean? It says 2L, then a space, then the 5. Thanks.

What does the 5 mean? It says 2L, then a space, then the 5. Thanks.
The 5 indicates group 5, but it is meaningless unless there is a letter after it. I've seen that on other 65 trim tags, also.

Bruce