[supersport6667]

I have a 66 #961 4bolt block cast E-5-6 with deck stamp of T0630EG no vin or plant stamp. I have looked the block over top to bottom and see no vin stamped anywhere. I know Vin's werent stamped on blocks till 68 on canadian cars but the only 396 offered in canadian cars was a 360HP version. The block has never been line honed to add the 4bolt caps and it hasnt been decked, the assembly date is very clear. The person I got it from has had it 15 years or more and bought it from a drag racer because it was a 66 block. The person I bought it from didnt even know it was a 375HP block or that it didnt have a VIN#, he just told me it was a 1966 4bolt block that he bought years ago for his 66SS (it has a 402 in it) and he was considering selling it. Was this just a mistake not stamping vin of car ?????? A friend seems to think it was never installed in a car thats why it wasnt stamped with a VIN. Just looking for your ideas or if someone else has seen something familiar.

 

[66 MYSTERY CHEVELLE]

That would be my guess.. an engine that never made it to a final assembly plant.. doubtful anyone just "FORGOT" to stamp the all important VIN on the engine...

Mike Crown

 

[Beave66]

I have a 66 SS with an L78. It doesn't have a vin stamp either, but the date codes on the block jive with the date codes on the car. I bought my car from some fols who have owned the car for quite sometime. (before matching #'s = big $$$) I doubt seriously its a restamp and I'm pretty sure the engine is original to the car. Nice to see another oddity like mine.

 

[Beave66]

That was supposed to be folks and not fols

 

[Diamond Judge1]

That would be my guess.. an engine that never made it to a final assembly plant.. doubtful anyone just "FORGOT" to stamp the all important VIN on the engine...

Mike Crown

It is theoretically possible that the stamp was forgotten, we have all heard these stories. Proving it, unfortunately, is not possible. Oviously, they were supposed to stamp it, and did so on most if not every car. Engines were available suffix coded over the counter, so it is just as likely that the engine is one of those. We, unfortunately, will not be able to prove a lot of what went on back then. I have to agree with Mike on this one, unless we can come up with a trend and several cars that show no VIN. Compare production dates between the two of you, and look for more examples. You will need more than two.

Jeff Dotterer
Dated Components
Diamond Restored Judge

 

[Beave66]

The casting date on my block is B196 & the date on my car is 03C. It's an Atlanta car.

 

[supersport6667]

Your block should be a #962 casting block. What is the assembly date on the front pad. Your cars assembly date seems correct with most dates I have. I have a list of 66 "EG" blocks Ive seen for sale and the earliest I seen an assembly dat was MARCH 66. I know a friend that has a 66 360HP 4speed, is original owner. He wanted to buy a 375HP along with a friend, but after waiting a month and a half bought the 360HP off the lot, his friend waited another month for his and got it in late march of 1966 a 375HP car. He claims U couldnt get one till about march of 66, which the list of 15-20 blocks ive complied kinda confirms.

 

[Beave66]

My block is a 962 and the pad on the front reads T0305EG. From what I've read , Late Feb. was when Chevy first offered this for '66.

 

[66 MYSTERY CHEVELLE]

The L-78 engine option was cancelled on May 11 1965 and was not available in the beginning of the 66 Chevelle production year ( July/August 1965 ) but was then reinstated on Oct. 7, 1965 and the dealers were given inserts to show the engine option now available.

Mike

 

[ss68rag]

I have a 66 #961 4bolt block cast E-5-6 with deck stamp of T0630EG no vin or plant stamp. Was this just a mistake not stamping vin of car ?????? A friend seems to think it was never installed in a car thats why it wasnt stamped with a VIN. Just looking for your ideas or if someone else has seen something familiar.

I puchased a no vin chevy BB from an ex drag racer years ago and he said he purchased it as a crate engine from a chevy dealer. Did not need a vin.

 

[huffhuff]

my 66 elky has the original 283 and no vin.

 

[66 MYSTERY CHEVELLE]

my 66 elky has the original 283 and no vin.

Most common for small blocks to not have VIN IMO

 

[Diamond Judge1]

Most common for small blocks to not have VIN IMO

I have been told in the distant past that the original cars that had VIN stamped blocks were all 300HP or more. I am talking about 64 up untill it was a government requirement for all engines to be VIN stamped. I remember doing a mechanical restoration on a 64 Impala SS conv, 300HP 4spd and that car had a VIN Stamp. Has anyone here ever done a survey to see if this holds true?

Jeff Dotterer
Dated Components
Diamond Restored Judge

 

[66 MYSTERY CHEVELLE]

I believe that is True Jeff,, I know my buddy Jon' has a 66 Nova L-79 and 65 Malibu SS Conv L-79 and they both have VIN stamped decks.. and I have seen others... but have never researched it much..

PS.. BTW Jeff, I discovered that the Tonawanda Big Blocks got the assembly date stamped prior to the heads being mounted...:secret:

 

[Beave66]

I want to make a correction... my block is a 961 4 bolt main, not a 962.