66 Chevelle 396/375 conv lesson needed

[MYSTERYCHEVELLE]

Looks like you got some good information...there's so much out there.... e-mail me if you need any additional help.

FYI....The L-78 in a 66 SS was not originally offered in the 66 Chevelle production year...just the base 325 hp engine and the Optional 360 Hp. Then later in the production year the 375 hp...L-78 was again offred and dealers received the inserts for their literature...( First offered in the very Rare, only 201 produced, 65 Chevelle Z-16's). The L-78 in a 66 SS rag top is a very rare bird for sure, given what we know alraedy, that only 3099 L-78's came off the line in the 66 Production Year...only 612 in 1967...

If the orig. engine is in the car, it will match the Vin on the door...also, the Trim Tag, if early...will help show it was not a real L-78, as again, not offerred early... The Knee- Knocker Tach, if still there, will be the 7,000 RPM version, like the 360 hp but with a slightly higher Redline.

No L-78 in 66 came with air either or as an automatic... Like I said, there are many ways to spot the fakes...

Nice topic

Later
Mike

[Stefano]

I think all L-78s are special and would love to someday own a Z16. The Z16 used a Hydraulic cam which did not allow for the revrange of the L-78 solid lifter engines.