Fellas -

Have finally been getting some work done on my '66 SS 396. It has a 961 block with a blank pad and oval port heads, so I figured it was originally an L34 or L35 that had been rebuilt and decked. Well, the heads are 67 model 215's, and I checked the date on the block, and it appears to be B 15 6, which is too late; my car is a 12C build, so it's not the original block.

So, I'm kind of curious to know if it could have been an L78 - - it's an original 4 sp car, no A/C, no P/S, no P/B. Rearend is a 3.31 posi 12 bolt (has 4.56s now) dated December 4, 1965, which sounds right to me. I know the L78 was not offered with some rearend ratios, but what about the 3.31?

I realize the only way to know for sure is to find a build sheet. The original interior is still in this car, so maybe there's one in there somewhere.

Thanks,

Scott

The 3.31 gear is listed in a Chevelle Power Teams table (dated Sept 1, 1965) as optional on the L78 and L34 but standard on the L35. Positraction was optional either way and not standard.

The chart shows the L78 standard with 3.73 with 3.07, 3.31, 3.55, 4.10, 4.56, and 4.88 optional. Looks like everything available in a 12-bolt was possible.

Yup, what Dale said. 3.73 were standard with the L34 & L78. The 3.31s were standard with the L35, optional on the other big blocks. 4.10s were offered on all as well.

1967 they offered a wider range of ratios, but not in Canada. What you got was what you got! Positraction was the only option.

Thanks, guys. I know they didn't make many L78s until later in production, but there's still a chance. Will see if I can find that build sheet.

Scott