65BBRAGTOP

I need help with identifying a 65 "962" block. I have seen several of these blocks and have noticed several differences depending on the casting dates. My question relates to the presence or lack of fins/fangs on the front of the block above the timing cover or on the back above the bell housing. I have seen an early dated block B 26 5 without these fangs and also have seen several blocks with E or F with the fangs. I have then again seen a couple blocks dated as early 66 blocks with I or H casting dates without the fangs. If anyone has some insight on this your help would be appreciated.

joec

the judging guide says that ALL 962 blocks have the gussets.. I'm not an expert nor saying they're right, but thats what they look for when judging... Since 65's didn't get 396's till late March (from what I've been told) , I think your "b" block might be to early.. All this being said, I'm sure someone will correct me...

Shurshot

If I am reading this right I would think a B block (Feburary) for a late March Production would be about perfect. I have Mid March 66 with a lot of original stuff....... the heads are Feb (B) although the exhaust manifolds are late Dec and Jan........

Doug

65BBRAGTOP

I'm not really questioning the correctness of a "B" dated block as much as the absence of the Fangs on the block. The block looks to be legit but I thought the fangs were on all early blocks.

Joel 67

I might just be talking out my azz, but I believe the gussets were on all 4 bolt blocks, of which an L78 would be.

Is the block in question a 2 or 4 bolt? Does it have the oil cooler provision above the oil filter adapter? Does the deck surface have valve notches?

65BBRAGTOP

It is a 4 bolt block and has the valve notches and oil cooler provision! The guy that has the block has owned it for over 12 years and he purchased it from someone who had it for about 12 years also. I don't think there has been any modifications to the block but again I thought all the early blocks had the GUSSETS!

Scott

65BBRAGTOP

Guys, attached is a post from a couple years ago where someone had the same situation that I have just encountered. Does anyone have any insight that will help?

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1965 396 Question --------------------------------------------------------------------
Do All 65 Corvette 396 Engines Have The Extra Gussets On The Front And Rear Of The Block? I Have One That Appears To Be Stamped Correctly But Does Not Have The Gussets. Thanks In Advance For Your Help.

TESTADURO

07-07-2005, 04:30 PM #2
skyman51
CF Senior Member


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All 65 396/425hp cars used the "962" block. They had gussets. What is the casting number of the block you are referring to?


skyman51
View Public Profile

07-07-2005, 06:23 PM #3
TESTADURO
CF Senior Member


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It Is A 962 Block However Ther Are No Gussets On It.


TESTADURO

07-07-2005, 08:03 PM #4
skyman51
CF Senior Member

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What is stamped on the pad?


skyman51

07-08-2005, 10:20 AM #5
TESTADURO
CF Senior Member


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the pad is stamped correct with T0517IF and the vin# 5118621. the casting date of the block is E15. it also says hiperf on the back of the block.


TESTADURO

07-08-2005, 02:28 PM #6
skyman51
CF Senior Member


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Everything you posted is correct. To my knowledge all "962" blocks have gussets. Can you post any pictures?


skyman51

07-08-2005, 09:00 PM #7
TESTADURO
CF Senior Member

TESTADURO

07-10-2005, 04:11 PM #8
TESTADURO
CF Senior Member


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Ttt


TESTADURO

07-10-2005, 07:43 PM #9
revupL78
CF Senior Member

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I can trace my 3855962 block back to 1975.cast date D245 All owners say it was original motor. It has extra threaded gussets on the front and back??what there for I don't know, plus has webb castings on front and back. My motor does not have HYPERPASS on top where bell housing bolts on, says hyperpass on side by by oil filter. Of the three 65 B.B cars at Bloomington my engine was correct to theres.Of the three 65 big block cars at Bloomington gold,they all had something differant about them. So who knows.Just my 2 cents


revupL78

07-10-2005, 08:49 PM #10
TESTADURO
CF Senior Member

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thanks for your help


TESTADURO

07-12-2005, 04:58 PM #11
clem zahrobsky
CF Senior Member

Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran




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65BBRAGTOP

All 396 experts out there I need your help!

Scott!

65BBRAGTOP

Still seeking help!

midstyle

Gussets / fangs / ribs were on both two and four bolt mains blocks. Here's 2 pics of a "961" 2-bolt cast E_14_5 (May 14th).

Am almost sure that the gussets were present from the start, and were still there at the end of Corvette L78 production. But they disappeared somewhere in the 1966 model year Chev pass car usage.

65BBRAGTOP

I have several photos showing the 4 bolt block casting # 3855962 dated B 26 5...No Gussetts! Is it possible they had more than ONE mold for the blocks, with and without the gussets, or maybe they started without the gussets on early blocks and then formed a new mold with the gussets? I am having a server problem here at work so I will attach the photos later!

muncieman

Not only is it possible the chances are better than average that there are mutiple molds, the same as intake manifolds have multiple molds.

If I''m not mistaken GM used and may still use a lost sand casting method and that's why there is such a variety of wierd stuff with blocks, like massive core shift in some. Hey it could have been made on a day after a holiday or before, the worst possible time

midstyle

Let me add 3 more points.

A. Colvin's '65-9 Chev-by-the-Numbers, page 60 shows GM blueprint of the '961', with gussets. On same page is pic of a '962', with gussets (but we don't know if early cast).

The NCRS '65 Tech manual says reinforcement gussets above timing chain cover ---- ALL 3855962 have these gussets (that means no exceptions for early blocks -- my addition )

The 1965 Chevrolet Interim Shop Manual (issued mid-production year, at the introduction of big block, Turbo Hydro, and new 3-sp trans) -- all pics show the front gussets (although they seem to be taken on '961' blocks). This manual would have been printed early, before these cars started arriving at the dealers.

65BBRAGTOP

Guys, click on the attached link to see pictures of the above mentioned block. Sorry some of the pics are duplicates but I'm just learning how to do this.

Scott

http://s413.photobucket.com/albums/pp212/65bbragtop/

Larry N. Johnson

Lok, Mom, no gussets!


(Image from Scott's link]

Nowhere Man

I have a last week of oct 65 961 block with no gussets

Larry N. Johnson

Keith,
No gussets rear either?

Nowhere Man

none in either front or back, and along with my may of 66 961 blcok

jbalch

My "962" block was cast on C 17 5 (March 17, 1965) and built/stamped on T0330IF (March 30, 1965) for VIN 15702 which is an April 21 car. The block has the ribs front and rear.

rgs

My 962 block was cast on J *6 5 (can't make out the first digit of the day). It has High Perf cast in the rear flange, Hi Perf Pass above and to the rear of the oil filter, has the oil cooler provisions, 4 bolt mains, no pins on the timing cover, and no gussetts. It is not original to the car. I bought it back in 1988 from a racer who didn't know that it was anything special (only paid $400 for it including rotating group), so I know it hasn't been altered.