[Jim_66SS]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121139227218?item=121139227218&viewitem=&vxp=mtr

I think gm used some 961 blocks as 4 bolts in the spring of 66. Does the stamp look OK?

 

[CoolBlueGlow]

And maybe this is too obvious, (or more likely, I'm way wrong?) but with such a late May casting date, that would more likely be a service block, right? ... or perhaps correct for an early 67 model 375/396, would it not?

We're they making L78 cars that late in the production run? June of 66, I mean?

Experts, please chime in...

 

[Dave Birdwell]

I'm not an expert on early cars like Jeff Helms, but the stamp looks good from what I can tell on my phone. The model year typically ran into some time in July, so yes, its feasible for a late 66. No 67 L78 cars built until late April of 67, and by that time I believe they were using the 406 block.

 

[VinceS427bb]

partial vin and engine code are double stamped after the E?
looks strange as the vin is hand stamped, so why not space correctly?

 

[Dave Birdwell]

Quite common for the hand stamped vins I've seen, apparently not much care went into it.. or the drunker they were, the worse it looks.

 

[Andy's Auto Repair]

James, this seller is a buyers dream. Looks like he is truly selling off a lifetime of rare and good old smelly metal, and none of it has seemingly been priced through the roof. Def worth a second look if you need a 66 L78.

 

[DROPTOP L-89 LS-6]

That vin puts it in May of 66 well before the end of production. The last Chevelle vin for Leeds in May of 66 is 197387 that block is about 4000 cars before that. The stamp is Good !!!!!!!! They made a ton of 66 L-78 by comparison to 67

Jim

 

[AZCamino]

I agree that this block is real. I checked the NMVTIS for all three possible VINs and found "no record", so the original car or El Camino may not still exist.

 

[Jim_66SS]

Thanks everyone. The stamp characters and arrangement are very similar to another 961 block I have from Kansas City, except for the EG stamp. That block is a 2 bolt EDH stamp. Just wanted to run this buy you guys.

I was think the EGH stamp was kind of odd. Take a look at this stamp from my may of 66 Kansas City EDH block. What do you think? Wouldn't the suffix code be more similar? Stamps are only a day apart.

I think I will have to look at a few more examples on Dales CD.

 

[DaleM]

Until 1968 partial VINs were haphazard at best. Each character was typically stamped individually. When/if you find a 66/67 with nicely spaced and characters are an even height, then is the time to question it.

 

[Jim_66SS]

I guess I am comfortable with the partial vin.

What I am question the the suffix part, what that gang stamped like the T05l2 at the assembly plant? What about the H for the Holley, stamp it one day, then not the next?

 

[DROPTOP L-89 LS-6]

The H stamp was there to call out the Holley cast iron Intake manifold at assembly. All 375HP 396's had a Holley period no need to call it out on the stamp. The stamp was put there so the people at Tonawanda would know what version of engine it was.

Jim

 

[DaleM]

I guess I am comfortable with the partial vin.

What I am question the the suffix part, what that gang stamped like the T05l2 at the assembly plant? What about the H for the Holley, stamp it one day, then not the next?

Yes, the engine plant stamp would be nice and neat, unlike the final assembly plant's 'mess.' Not uncommon for the final assembly plant to stamp over the engine plant, I have numerous examples of this in 66 & 67.

The "H" for a Holley was only used on the base L35 engines in 1966 when a Holley was used instead of the typical Rochester such as EKH instead of EK or EDH instead of ED.

The L34 and L78 engines used only Holleys so no need to identify it on the engine plant stamp.

Engines were shipped to final assembly plants with the intake installed but not the carburetors.

 

[CoolBlueGlow]

OK that explains that. Well, I never claimed to be an expert on L78 cars.

Interesting thread!

 

[jeffschevelle]

I agree it is legit. Only comment to add is that there are some legit 66 and 67 L78 blocks that have the T####E gang stamped and the G separately stamped, slightly out of line. I don't know why it was done that way, but they do exist.

 

[CoolBlueGlow]

Good news is that James is asking about this block because he is going to buy it for me for a belated Christmas present!

Right James?

James?

 

[jeffschevelle]

I agree that this block is real. I checked the NMVTIS for all three possible VINs and found "no record", so the original car or El Camino may not still exist.

Did you check 13480 and 13680 elco's? You could get the 396's in both trim levels.

 

[jeffschevelle]

Checked my list and I have the engine and trans from 6K193692 out in my shop! Cars probably built the same week! Haven't had any luck finding the car though.

As to how late they built L78's in 66, I have pics of block stamped 6K217960, confirming they were available right up to the end of 66 production.