I have a 66 Convertable. Almost a total number matching car. However the engine is a replacement. To get the car 100% retro I need to find out the horsepower. The build sheet does not specify the HP on a 66. The options were the 325, 360, and 375. I have been told that there were no 375hp available on this car, only the 325 and 360. Can anyone verify this.

Do you have the buildsheet? If so, what is the code listed for the engine?

We need a little info about your car. If your car has A/C and a powerglide, than whoever told you 375hp engines didn't come in your car was correct. If memory serves me correctly, you could only equip the SHP with a 4 speed, and definitely no A/C. I am also assuming your vin starts with 138676 or the search would be futile. JN

The car is a 138 car. 66 convertable 5 speed. The build sheet does specify 396 but the horsepower option is not on a build sheet that I can find. It has no A/C.

The car is a 138 car. 66 convertable 5 speed. The build sheet does specify 396 but the horsepower option is not on a build sheet that I can find. It has no A/C.


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The car is a 138 car. 66 convertable 5 speed. The build sheet does specify 396 but the horsepower option is not on a build sheet that I can find. It has no A/C.


I am not an expert here, but wouldn't the build sheet list the engine "suffix" code and not the engine size???

I am not an expert here, but wouldn't the build sheet list the engine "suffix" code and not the engine size???
consider yourself an expert, as this is what would be listed; I may have overlooked the original author's knowledge about this. You may or may not know this, but a 5 speed is/was not an option then. HD 3 speed or 4 speed muncie m20/m21/ or highly unlikely since only a couple dozen were ordered that year an m22. JN

[quote=TAZMAN 3]The car is a 138 car. 66 convertable 5 speed. The build sheet does specify 396 but the horsepower option is not on a build sheet that I can find. It has no A/C.


HUH??:confused:

How can you have an Almost totally matching numbers 66 SS Conv. without the original and MOST IMPORTANT aspect of that phrase Matching Numbers.. The Engine?? and without the original Trans. No 5 speeds being made back then :eek: What do you think Matching Numbers mean?

and Yes, if you have the Build Sheet, it will most certainly tell you what the HP rating was on your car when it HAD the Original engine it.

375hp was Definitely available in a Convert....375 ( L-78 ) was not available on either Conv. or hardtop if that car had Air conditioning or was equipped with an Automatic.

Mike

You guys are killing me. So I understand I am a smuck when it comes to my knowledge. I made the horrible mistake of calling my car a 5 speed. It is a muncie 4 spd. Also, help me with the definition of numbers matching. I assumed that this ment that the a car was era correct to the year, not the exact parts that car on the car from the factory. Help me, I am new at this, excuse the mistakes. Could the car come with a 375hp in a convertable or not? According to Mystery Chevelle, it looks as if it did come this way. Thanks for the help Mystery, please respond again.

i think by numbers matching its when the VIN match what the car has. im not really sure. but thats always what i thought.
like my VIN is:

136371B222525

the 1 = chevy, 36 = malibu V8, 37 = 2 door sport coupe, 1 = 1971 (year),
B = baltimore, 222525 = sequencial production #'s.

thats what im guessing that #'s matching means.

I understand this much about an ID number. I ment all the other codes on the car trans, heads etc. Do they have to match to call it a numbers matching car? I know for sure that the car is a 138 and the correct numbers for convertable, but I don't have the car here for the balance of the numbers to share them with you. What I need to know more than anything is weather or not the convertable 66 could be ordered with a 375hp in a 4 speed.

Yes, your car COULD have come with a 396/375. All SS chevelles could have been ordered with a SHP motor, 4 speed, and A/C delete is mandatory for that powerplant, without original documentation, or the factory installed engine, or POP or original window sticket or bill of sale you will never know what originally was installed in your car, unless of course you have a PG or A/C then you can be certain it was not the SHP engine. The fact your car is a convertible has nothing to do with what drivetrain could have been installed in your car from the factory. If you would like to know the factory specs for the powerplant currently residing in your car post the characters stamped upon the flat platform directly in front of the passenger side head. It will start T0xxxxxxxxx. JN

Numbers Matching means the Original engine and Trans and Rear that came in the car when it was New, still remain in the car.. and therefore, yes, the Heads, intake, Carb, etc, etc.... are included in this.

As was said, without Real Docs., there is no way to know what engine originally came in your car.. we can tell what engine didn't come in it by process of elimination as was eluded to. We can also tell if it were POSSIBLE the engine was an L-78 ( 375hp ) by the Build date of the car.. The L-78 Option was not part of the 66 SS Original Option list and was not even noted in the original literature.. it was not available as an option until later in the production year ( remember, 66 production started in Mid July 1965 ) The L-78 was not available until October 7, 1965.

MC

Thank you very much for your help. I do not have much documentation on the car. It does have much of the original equipment however. I bought it from the original owner. He is looking for documentation. The problem is that his brother ordered the car and then through attrition and family matters, he recieved it in 1975. It has been is storage since. Currently the car is modified. Heads, carberation, headers etc. I am trying my best to get it exactly the way it came. (LOOKING HARD FOR BUILD SHEET) I have what I thought was a build sheet, turns out buy talking with you fellas that this is wrong as well. Any suggestions to get this car as close to numbers matching as posible, maybe ERA CORRECT. Thanks again. TAZ

Any suggestions to get this car as close to numbers matching as posible, maybe ERA CORRECT. Thanks again. TAZ



http://hometown.aol.com/mysterychevele/page1.html

;)

It will never be Numbers Matching, so get that out of your mind set.. Era/Period correct... very possible and simple..

If you want "ERA" correct, then why bother changing the engine... The ONLY difference with the engine (pre-75 454, by your account) is the casting numbers... The block casting number is casted into the bellhousing flange and is almost impossibly to rear while in the car (say, at a car show, etc... Its not too hard to read if you were looking to buy the car, etc)...

You can "detail" the 454 to look almost identical to the "1966" 396, and 99% of enthusiasts wouldn't even know it was changed...

does it have the factory tack, if so what is the red line on it, it can give you a clue to what hp it should be also. Eddie Bumgarner 66ss conv.