Hello i was hoping for a little help. i found a 66 ss barn find from the original owner. It seems to be a L78 but he doesn't have any of the original paper work. Vin # 138176z159310 block casting # 3855961. block stamping is T0262EG6z159310 it also has all the right parts intake carb and distributor with the right number.

the only thing that may be suspect is that the stamping on the block it looks like the T026EG(6)Z159310 was a 5 then stamped a 6 over it. it doesn't look recent but?

The car is a 4 speed
What do you think?
Thanks in advance

will looks like every thing matchs.i dont see a problem and if you are worried about one number being stamped over.well people do make mistakes and its possible that person who did the stamping could have made a mistake.EG is for a 375hp 4sp car.
do you have any pictures of the car and the stamping?are you getting a good deal? let us know

L78 had a 962 4 bolt main block.

L78 had a 962 4 bolt main block.

From the research i have done it could be either or. they used this block for the 375hp 65 z16 but i dont think some one trying to rip me off would screw up a z16 block cause it would be allot more valuable as a z16.

Bruce - If I was you, I would get a hold of Mike Crown. He goes by 66 MYSTERY CHEVELLE here on Team Chevelle. Shoot him a PM. He is a resident 66 expert and would be a good one to bounce questions off of.

a 962 block would have been used on a 65 Corvette 396 and in a 65 Impala.

Hello i was hoping for a little help. i found a 66 ss barn find from the original owner. It seems to be a L78 but he doesn't have any of the original paper work. Vin # 138176z159310 block casting # 3855961. block stamping is T0262EG6z159310 it also has all the right parts intake carb and distributor with the right number.

the only thing that may be suspect is that the stamping on the block it looks like the T026EG(6)Z159310 was a 5 then stamped a 6 over it. it doesn't look recent but?

The car is a 4 speed
What do you think?
Thanks in advance

Bruce -

I have not heard of a 66 L78 equipped with a 961 block. Have heard of a July 1966 built car coming with a #3902406 block (1967 block), but not aware of any L78's with the 961, which was the 325 and 360 hp block.

I'm also guessing by the VIN that this car was built later than Feb 1966; this is when Chevrolet announced the availability of the L78. Few (if any?) were built prior to then.

Have you checked the casting number on the heads and date on the block?

I'm assuming the original owner knows what an L78 is and is asking L78 money for it. If the price is too good to be true, there might be a reason for that.

Mike Crown would be a good resource here. I'd strongly recommend you check with him. You should also take a high resolution pic of the pad and post it here. Folks should be able to tell if it's a restamp or not.

Good luck.

Scott

I have also never heard of a 66 L-78 with a 961 block. Also, FWIW, my Fremont-built 360 hp car even has the 962 block.

Does it have the idler pulley setup?

I'd take another good look at the block casting#. If you take a few pictures and post them here I'm sure we will confirm what you found. Good Luck sounds like a awesome find!

4 bolt 961 blocks were built starting in April/May timeframe and the 962 blocks were discontinued. But Feb. is too early; should have a 962 block. The assembly date doesn't look right. T02 indicates Feb. but the next 2 digits should be the day of the month and since Feb. only has 28 days, that code isn't right.

Actually, the VIN indicates this is a July car and could have had a 4-bolt 961 EG block, but it would not have had a Feb. engine. Better check that assembly code again.

NO, wait. 159310 exceeds the number of cars built in Fremont. There were only 59074 Chevelles built at Fremont. What's with the VIN you gave us?

Is this an April Fool joke? You're a couple of days late!:yes: Or maybe, someone is having fun with you!

4 bolt 961 blocks were built starting in April/May timeframe and the 962 blocks were discontinued. But Feb. is too early; should have a 962 block. The assembly date doesn't look right. T02 indicates Feb. but the next 2 digits should be the day of the month and since Feb. only has 28 days, that code isn't right.

Actually, the VIN indicates this is a July car and could have had a 4-bolt 961 EG block, but it would have not had a Feb. engine. Better check that assembly code again.

NO, wait. 159310 exceeds the number of cars built in Fremont. There were only 59074 Chevelles built at Fremont. What's with the VIN you gave us?

Is this an April Fool joke? You're a couple of days late!:yes:

Your so right tonight.

Ok, it looks like I have Easter egg on my face after suggesting this might not be real.:D I received a PM from Dale M. after making that post, and I learned something new! Dale has seen other VINs later than the last reported VIN according to the Chevrolet data.

Also, Dale has seen the photos of the important numbers showing a June 22 assembly date and appropriate casting date for a 961 4-bolt main EG engine from this car. This car looks like it could be real. :thumbsup:

66 ss barn find from the original owner. It seems to be a L78 but he doesn't have any of the original paper work. Vin # 138176z159310

1 = chevrolet
38 = super sport 396 8 cyl
17 = 2 door sport coupe
6 = 1966
z= made in fremont, ca
159310 = you were the 159,310th car made

So I'm guessing it is really T0622EG, rather than T0262EG?

I have a Fremont built 1966 L78 survivor car with 961 4-bolt block, 138176Z149393, with pad stamp TO520EG 6Z149393.

The 962 block was used for 375HP (Z16) and 425HP (Impala and Corvette) applications in 1965. The 962 block was also used for the Chevelle L78 375HP application in 1966, until some time in April of 1966. The 962 block was dropped at that point and the 961 was used for the most of the remainder of the 1966 production year for both 2-bolt and 4-bolt applications. There are a few verified 396's with 406 blocks (both 2-bolt and 4-bolt) very very late in the 66 production year (July).

So if this car is indeed T0622EG, then sounds like you may have hit the jackpot :thumbsup:. I would not be too worried about an overstamped 6 over a 5, as the Fremont plant did a lot of weird things with their stamps. I have seen lots of corrected "mistakes" on Fremont cars, as well as weird fonts where a portion of the partial VIN was gang stamped at one time and the last 2 or 3 digits hand stamped later in a different font and one car where the last 3 digits of the VIN were stamped and then overstamped to change(those have all been 67's, but they do show that Fremont operated a bit differently than the other plants). But I would check for the factory broach marks, and post a picture of the pad here for comment.

Thanks to Dale M help its all checking out. After i have possession ill share with all.

Is it possible to use the title to verify this car? To get old documentation?

Original documentation from GM is unobtanium. Unless it's a Pontiac, of course.
Dealers? Possible. Can you find the original selling dealer?
DMV? Privacy laws make it pretty much impossible these days.
Good luck.
Must see pics...,.

Dan

Original documentation from GM is unobtanium. Unless it's a Pontiac, of course.
Dealers? Possible. Can you find the original selling dealer?
DMV? Privacy laws make it pretty much impossible these days.
Good luck.
Must see pics...,.

Dan

yeah i know what dealer and i believe its still in business.
its the original owner so privacy wouldn't be a issue. I'm sure he would be willing to help me out.
photos coming soon.

If the Dealer was a packrat, they may have old invoices from back in the day, but it's a long shot! Over 40+ years a lot of "good stuff" has been thrown in the landfills.

Good Luck! Sounds like the find of a lifetime for you!

Dan

If the Dealer was a packrat, they may have old invoices from back in the day, but it's a long shot! Over 40+ years a lot of "good stuff" has been thrown in the landfills.

Good Luck! Sounds like the find of a lifetime for you!

Dan

Long shot maybe, but certainly possible.

http://www.macswebs.com/richl79/65L79/miscpage.html

Ok ready to share. How do i add photos?

http://macc.chevelles.net/howtopostpics.htm

I'll stick around and wait here for you to get back with the pics.....:D

well im not a paying member anymore so ill have to set up something.

Here some info.

Block 3855961 E19 6 4 bolt main T0622EG +correct vin
heads 3873858 E 26 6 and F 13 6
Carb 3893229 3613 653
intake 3885069 6 15 66
dist 1111100 6 D 25
Rearend 387574 E 8 6 CI 0531 B

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/fastestoffroaddriver/66%20chevelle/IMG_4001.jpghttp://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/fastestoffroaddriver/66%20chevelle/IMG_4016.jpg[/IMG]"]http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/fastestoffroaddriver/66%20chevelle/IMG_4017.jpg[/IMG]"]http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/fastestoffroaddriver/66%20chevelle/0405001845a.jpg[/IMG]"]http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/fastestoffroaddriver/66%20chevelle/IMG_4002.jpg (http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/fastestoffroaddriver/66%20chevelle/IMG_4002.jpg)

i dont have a photo of the other side but its the same condition. There is no rust in this car other then surface rust.

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/fastestoffroaddriver/66%20chevelle/0405001845a.jpg http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/fastestoffroaddriver/66%20chevelle/IMG_4003.jpg http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/fastestoffroaddriver/66%20chevelle/IMG_4006.jpg

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/fastestoffroaddriver/66%20chevelle/IMG_4016.jpg http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/fastestoffroaddriver/66%20chevelle/IMG_4017.jpg http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/fastestoffroaddriver/66%20chevelle/IMG_4011.jpghttp://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/fastestoffroaddriver/66%20chevelle/IMG_4012.jpg

How about some engine and stamping shots?

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/fastestoffroaddriver/66%20chevelle/0405001826.jpg http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/fastestoffroaddriver/66%20chevelle/66carbstamp-2.jpg (http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/fastestoffroaddriver/66%20chevelle/CIMG0754.jpg)

congrats

I'm sooooo envious! Even my favorite colour YY.

curious that an L78 didn't come with gauges or tach?? Guess he spent all the money on the L78.

So i have a 67 driver 327 pg with ac. i want to sell now but my dads trying to tell me to sell the 66. i would like to redue the 66. and 86 the 67. im sure the 66 will cost allot to redue but in the long run i think it would be the right thing to due.

So i have a 67 driver 327 pg with ac. i want to sell now but my dads trying to tell me to sell the 66. i would like to redue the 66. and 86 the 67. im sure the 66 will cost allot to redue but in the long run i think it would be the right thing to due.


That 66 will cost alot to redue but if it`s original it will be worth way more than a 67 malibu. If it were me, I`d restore it to original condition. Thats a very rare and valueable car you came across there.

Thanks for the great comments. I feel like i hit the lotto. Needs a nut and bolt job for sure. I would like to do the frame and mechanical my self but send out the body. Do you guys recommend anyone? Also what kinda cost do you think im looking at?

Great find!! Best of luck to you!

$45,000

Drop me a line, we're in the San Gabriel Valley area.
I've got a 1966 Malibu in the shop now getting the full treatment, rotisserie, pro-touring etc.
Let me know if we can help you out....

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q278/Mondo454/1966Chevelle/SSPX0145.jpg

$45,000
I got to ask i have been checking out your cars for along time. Where do you find all those gems? Also can you elaborate on that a bit? Me doing the work, paying it to be done or me doing half the work?

Bruce, I don`t know what part of cali your in but my buddy and his dad have a shop in fairfield. His dad has restored several of these cars, most recently a 67 SS that appraised at $90k. He had these cars new and knows them inside and out. Don`t know what he charges but he`s the only one I "know" who does good work.

It's one of those questions that will or could no doubt, get multiple answers as to cost. In the end, it always depends on what you want? Quickie repaint and some aftermarket parts, get it running and drive it type deal or done right.

Frame off and blasted and painted. sheetmetal work if needed, findingvall hard to find parts as original or NOS, engine rebuild, trans and rear rebuild, interior, rechroming parts... Big and little, L-78 specific engine bay parts... A Quality Paint job (could run $8,000 and up )

It all adds up, just ask anyone who has done it. And yes, there are people who will chime in and show you their very nice car and tell you they have $12-$20,000 in it. But, it may be a driver and not a rare L-78 car....

When it's all said and done, plan to keep it because it will still not be worth a ton more than you have spent.

Yes, all costs get offset by what you can do yourself but it's still expensive!

I would make SURE you truly have had the car confirmed as a Real L-78 prior to investing a ton of money though., if you've already done that, than you just need to decide what your ultimate Goal for the car will be.

Good Luck

Find a way to do that car right... take your time and have fun just knowing you own an original '66 L78 with matching #'s!!. That is going to be one sweet set of wheels! Good Luck.

Great score man!!! Mike has said it best here. Figure out what you want and then do it!!! They ALL cost alot to do correctly, no matter what you have. I know, and mine isn't even done yet!!!!!

I would make SURE you truly have had the car confirmed as a Real L-78 prior to investing a ton of money though., if you've already done that, than you just need to decide what your ultimate Goal for the car will be.


And make sure you THOROUGHLY document the car as you disassemble it... Since you have NO paperwork it will be hard to be sure. You (and experts) might be satisfied, but once its restored it will be hard to "prove" that it was an original L78 or just restored that way... That might affect future value...

Where in California did you find the car?

Sell the '67 or the '66...
Tough dilemna...

IMO, IF you want a rare car, and are willing/have the money/time to invest in a "proper" restoration, which would probably limit the amount of actual "driving" use the car will get, then the '66 would be the one to keep...

If you want more of a hot rod, a modified, fun car to drive anywhere, then sell the '66, and put the money into the '67 or something else...

Yeah, the '66 will be a better "investment", but use that to build the car YOU want...

Personally, I haven't restored my '66 L78 yet ( had it since 1985, in pieces, missing the original motor), because I wanted it "original", but I also wanted a fun driver/toy... I couldn't afford both. A few years ago I even sold off some rare extras, because I decided to build it as a driver... Then I was going to build a modified street machine (nothing cut, but disc brakes, headers, etc)... Now I started leaning back toward "stock"... I have another Chevelle I am playing with, and eventually, I hope to start on the '66...

i have been looking for a #matching 66 for 2 years 325hp would have been fine. i bought the 67 cause i came across it on my search for the 66 it was a nice no rust car for a great price. Mike Crown how do i verify? i sent all photos of every # and date that was asked for by Dale M at chevellestuff L-78 registry before i bought it. I bought the car in Hesperia Ca the OG owner said he bough it in VictorVille Ca about 10 miles away with 47 miles on it. I found stuff hiding in the car from way back when phone numbers stared with letters also from the area. Every thing that i was told a bought the car lined up with what he said. He said he was 19 when he bought it and didn't keep any og paper work but he will keep his eyes open for them. Im hope full. The rear window and carpet where out of the car this and it being in the cali desert sure helped keep the rust away.

Nice find. :beers:

I'm in the middle of doing a 67 L78. I might be lucky if I can get it done for under $40K. I can only hope.

Ultimately it's your choice. Are you in it for the profit or for the love of the hobby?

You have to decide which side of the fence you're going to be on for that one. Because there is going be some pain and sacrifice involved either way. Whether it's money and time to do the project, or selling the car outright without doing a thing to it and passing it on to a new owner willing to take it on.

We get projects that are labors of love, where the owner just has to have that particular year of car or truck for whatever childhood memory they might have. And I always advise them that they will not get their money out of it because of the desirability of the car or truck. And then there are the projects that are the right car, that even with the $50-60K rotisserie resto, owner will still make money selling the car. Most recently that being a 1957 Bel Air 2-door Hard Top.

It cost the same in labor to do a frame off rotisserie resto on a 1966 SS Chevelle than a 1966 Malibu Small block/powerglide.

As the saying goes, The gravedigger doesn't get paid more to bury you rich than to bury you poor. :)