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Ralph, you might Google your serial number and get lucky on finding the original engine. It would be sort like winning the lottery but it does happen. I’m kind of like Mike - my car lost it’s original 427, probably in Canada, but no luck in its where-abouts. Even the prior owner dated back to the mid-70s had forgotten and was unaware it didn’t have its original engine any longer. So for about 45 years it has had a 621 4-bolt block with L88 heads and intake from the C3 era.
Mike,……. I also spoke with a fellow Corvette Forum contributor and big block owner (thanks Mark!) over the phone this evening and found a found one more clue. I have two J-hooks on the passenger side firewall, consistent with big blocks. The top J-hook is a little squished, you you can see both. I included a picture below……
if I recall correctly, my 66 427 car only has one clip at that location? I’ll have to take a look and see for sure when I get a chance. Any of you other 427 guys have two clips?
Ralph - are you looking for a 1966 #942 L36 engine or just going to look for a replacement 'any-displacement' Bigblock or just leave it as a smallblock car?
Mike T - Prescott AZ
My brain tells me to simply leave things alone and enjoy my current 327. My heart tells me to look around for a correct 427/390HP '942 engine so she can be returned to her big block glory. For some reason, I never seem to listen to my brain
Ralph - You're not alone in that respect. For the hell of it, I looked up Bigblocks on the Rhode Island Craigslist and found a few but when you add in the Bigblock 'incidentals' like I mentioned before, it's going to add up quickly.
It would be better, if you go that route, to find a complete engine. I do happen to know of a 66 #942 L36 engine that might be for sale but there's good news and not so good news.
The good news is that it really is a 66 427-390 L36 and the seller is the 'Original Owner' of the 66 L36 Roadster. He's modified a few things over the years and it's got a 502 in it now.
So, that's the good news. The not-so-good news is that the engine is here in Prescott AZ. The other not-so-good news is that when he asked for input on what the engine would be worth not too long ago,
he did say it was pulled at 85K miles and ran fine...but...one cylinder had a compression test of 85 pounds.
I haven't talked with Brock in a while and not sure what the rest of the story is on the engine but here's the thread he posted. FS (For Sale) 427 motor from a 66 Vette - CorvetteForum - Chevrolet Corvette Forum Discussion
Mike T - Prescott AZ
Thank you ProVette67. I haven't read much content about the LD cluster, so this is helpful support for the big block confirmation.
Mike - I will PM you about that 942 motor.
OK....Here's a summary of findings to help for others who are trying to determine whether their car was born with a big block.
1. 7/8" front sway bar
2. LD cluster with 5500 redline and 80 psi oil pressure gauges
3. two J-hooks in the location consistent with big block cars.
4. Big block radiator with lower mounts similar to other big block cars.
5. No radiator overflow tank (no mounting holes drilled either)
6. Big block bellhousing and flywheel
7. Three 'holes' in upper fender (near doors) to where 427 side emblems were installed. Only two holes being used now for 327 emblems. Third hole appears to be 'filled' before paint. Can easily see the third hole (lower part of triangle)
8. Accelerator Pedal appears to have correct big block bends
9. Original fuel line appears to have correct 90" at fuel pump. Body does not look like it's ever been removed from frame. Ironically, I almost tried to straighten the line by hand, thinking that someone bent the line too much! Luckily, It didn't really bend much haha
Based on the evidence above (and input from knowledgable experts on this forum), I'm convinced this was born a big block car. Not sure whether I'll do anything other than enjoy my 327....but it's nice to know.
Ralph - for the 'Inquiring Minds' like me and all the others that have responded to your thread...let's hear and see the rest of the story. We need pics and include the Trim Tag as well.
Mike T - Prescott AZ
I'll take some additional pics with the hardtop off this coming weekend when I get her out of the garage. I'm waiting for new fan belts to arrive
Before some sharp-eyed expert calls me out for the fuel filter (a '65 version of the fuel line and filter), I did this deliberately. I bought the car as a driver and wanted to add an inline filter so I installed the 65 fuel line and filter (I like the look). I also replaced the oil filler tube so I can run the proper threaded PCV and also replaced the air cleaner base and rear crank tube. A previous owner installed the wrong air cleaner base and was a bit too high. This engine has the earlier exhaust manifolds with the side mount alternator bracket (driver side). I do have original ram horn manifolds with the front mount alternator brackets, but will wait to install (for fear that I might break an exhaust manifold bolt in the head....I don't need that pain right now haha). I have all the original ignition shields as well. Will reinstall those after the engine clean up and tune up is complete. FYI...Alternator is NOT fully installed in this picture.
I'm told (by previous owner) that this car came from Georgia, Florida, Louisiana and/or Alabama (which may explain the old Alabama 66 front plate.. given to me by the prior owner)...not really sure. If anyone living in one of those nice warm southern states knows about this car, send me a PM. But please send me only positive news.... And send me that original 942 engine sitting in your garage haha!
Of course, this was all planned for my small block car. Now, I need to start planning the big block swap
Great looking Milano Maroon Roadster, Ralph. Sounds like besides doing detective work, you've been busy fixing/correcting a lot of small issues with the car. Other than the alternator, is it a driver now?
Mike T - Prescott AZ
Mike, it's nearly ready for the road now. I need to do some alignment work on the rear. My right rear tire is toeing out and needs shims adjusted. I purchased a shim kit and will get it 'close' myself, before taking it to a proper alignment shop. Otherwise....I'm pretty close.
Thank you Michael.....it's good to see that the 'LD' cluster was used in the 427/390 cars.
I found a few more items worth noting.....(1) holes where original TI Ignition was mounted? and (2) mounting holes for the rear sway bar (now missing)?
(1) Here's a picture of the three holes I found in the front driver inner fender panel. These holes are located on the inner fender panel between the driver side front wheel and the grill area. let me know if these look correct and original for the 427 car. Note: the TI ignition is long gone.
(2) Here's a picture of the driver's side rear frame (near back of car from below). I found two holes that appear to be mounting holes for the original sway bar. There are two similar holes on the pass side as well. Does this look correct for the rear sway bar mount? Did all frames (BBC and SBC) have these holes?
Yep, those are the TI mount holes. Not all 427/390 cars had TI. I guess a question to ask is if the TI was available on the 327/350 that year - I’m not sure without looking it up. If not then it’s another indication of a BB original car. Good to document this now on an unrestored car with decades of patina. I wish I had done a better job of it when I restored my car 30 years ago.
11-29-2022, 07:54 AM
