Is the oil pan for the 1966 Chevelle 396 different then the 396 oil pan for other years? A parts guy in Hesperia, CA thinks so.
Thanks,
Bob

That's a fair statement IMO., that's not to say others won't work though....66 and 67 are almost identical.

Are the '66 oil pans identified in any way other then visually? True Connections makes a repro '66 oil pan for $55. Any comments?
Thanks,
Bob

As far as a GM replacement part, my GM parts book shows the following:

Group 1.426 PAN UNIT, oil
65-70 Chevy, Chevelle, Camaro (396,400 w/4BC, 454)
71-72 All (400 w/4BC, 402, 454)
#3985999 - pan unit

67-70 Pass. (396,427,454)
#3974328 - pan unit.

So any 65-70 Chevy (Nova, Chevy II), Chevelle or Camaro and all models of 71 and 72 w/big block should be interchangeable as far as fit. The dip stick location might be a difference and the shape may be different and therefore, not "correct".

There is something odd under group 1.426 - BOLT, SCREW, Oil pan attaching that seems to be unique for 1966.
66 All (396,427) - SCREW w/lockwasher (1/4" x 20 - 5/8") front center hole.

I'm feeling a little dense. I don't quite understand if I'm looking at a oil pan how to know that it's a 1966 Chevelle oil pan. Thanks for your patience.
Bob

I know the 66 oil pan is different than the other "chevelle" pans. I belive the difference is the 66 pan has a bolt hole in the center of the front that uses a bolt to tighten up to the timing chain cover. I know the 65/66/67 timing chain cover without the alignment holes has a hole in the center of bottom for the bolt. I just took an "original" ( all compnents were dated within a month)standard 66 chevelle 396 motor apart, and the pan on it had the hole in the center of front. Im not sure if 65 or 67 was this way also.

I can tell you that if Sloans from Hesperia says its different,it is, he really has an outstanding knowledge of Chevelle parts. Thats not to say other pans won't fit,after we built my 454 for my 66 I looked through a stack of BB pans at the speed shop and found a pan that works great. When we built our 65 I bought a pan from OPG or Year One that was the correct pan to fit the Chevelle cross member.

It was Jim Sloan who gave me that information. I just got a timing chain cover from a 1966 360hp 396, and I'll be getting an oil pan from possibly a 1966 Chevelle 396, but probably a 1967 Chevelle 396 next week, so it will be interesting to see how they match up. I'll let you know.
Thanks,
Bob

Just make sure the pan is a "chevelle" pan. The pan will only have one drop in it for the sump portion where oil pump pickup seats. An impala pan has 2 steps in it on the bottom side.