I found a 65 L-79 less running gear. The vehicle was built in the first week of january of 1965. The color is evening orchid. I'm looking to find the correct engine but was wondering if it would be three months prior to the car? Also since these where special ordered cars, are they subject to the regular production order time frames? Would the heads be several months before the engine? Wasn't there a uaw strike in 1964? would that have delayed the engine date from the vehicle date? Also whats the correct casting numbers for the exhaust manifolds; I;ve been told by some that there is a seperate casting number for the L-79? To my undwerstanding they are just stock log style (#3834947) for the left side and (#3840912) for right side?

How do you know it was an L-79?

Yeah, how do you know it was an L-79 car? Does it have a tach? Does it have a dash mounted clock? Does it have clutch pedals? Does it have a 12-bolt rear? I'm sure that I missed something. And even those things don't mean it was an original 65 L-79 car. ;)

larger fuel line. four speed, 12 bolt posi.

Larger fuel line? How large? The 300hp 327 used the 3/8" fuel line too and it appears the 250hp cars probably did too. 12-bolts were not exclusive to the L79, of course neither were the 4-speeds.

The L79 used the same exhaust manifolds as any other '65 327. I don't have the casting numbers in front of me right now.

Casting dates are typically anywhere from 3 months prior to a few weeks prior to the build date of the car.

The only strike I'm aware of that occurred duing the 1965 model year was a strike at the axle plant.

L79 cars were not all special (customer) orders, a good number of them were dealer orders which were put on the lot like any other Chevelle.

If you are truly hoping to find THE original engine for the car you technically shouldn't have to worry about casting dates (on the block at least) since the engine block should be stamped with a partial VIN which matches the car's VIN and an engine number ending in the suffix EC or ED. Non-L79 engines did not receive partial VINs.

While it could have been an L79 car, if the original engine is gone and no paperwork exists on the car there is absolutely no way to tell if it was or was not. It was more than likely a 250hp or 300hp 327 car as those were much, much more common.

Okay, lets say that it is a 300 hp car. So as far as the engine code EB would be the correct code. As far as the casting number 870, the heads are 461's. So build date on the engine is oct/nov 64, heads also in the same time frame? What would the tranny build date be?

All casting and assembly dates would be typically 3 months to a few weeks before the assembly date of the car.

seems hard to find an october/november 64 327 block? At least out here in washington state.

seems hard to find an october/november 64 327 block? At least out here in washington state.
Hard to find in Jersey too! :sad:
What would the tranny build date be?
Here are the numbers on my 65 P-O-P :
Vehicle assembly date: 1st week in November (11A on trim tag)
Engine build date: F 1029 EA (Oct. 29)
Transmission (M 21) build date: P1027 (Oct. 27)