1967 Chevelle SS 396 375HP?

[Hawkeye]

Is there a way to tell what version 396 engine came in a 1967 Chevelle SS that no longer has the original engine and no build sheet available? Fuel line size or configuration? Are there any tell tale signs that clearly differentiate an L78 vs an L34 or L35? Could you order any rear for any engine combination? Thanks for any responses.

[markjohnson]

Good question. I've always like them '67 Chevelles and wanted one. It also makes me wonder if anyone knows what was up with the L-78 production in 1967? I think we all know that they made several thousand 375 HP cars in 1966 and then 1968-9. What happened in 1967 for them to only make a little over 600 L-78's?

[Hawkeye]

From what I have read so far, in 1967 the L34 engine was given a reduction in horsepwer by 10 in order to comply with GM's new corporate policy regarding one-BHP per ten-pounds of curb weight. The 375 option was removed from the advertised line-up. But, I can't seem to find anything that gives specifications on the different engines.

[Bill Pritchard]

[ QUOTE ]
I think we all know that they made several thousand 375 HP cars in 1966

[/ QUOTE ]

Are you sure about that Mark? From what I've heard, there were about equal numbers of 375 hp cars in both 66 and 67. I know someone who knows the answers here, but he's not allowed on the site http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hmmm.gif

[markjohnson]

I always thought that there were somewhere around 2-3,000 1966 L-78 Chevelles built and then only 600 in 1967. Anybody out there know for sure?

[Bill Pritchard]

I will try and find out.

[Z28DL]

Hi Bill,
We must have the same 66 Chevelle expert. My sources show there were 3099 L78 66 Chevelles and 612 L78 Chevelles built. I have a 66 L78 Chevelle with POP, titles/owner history and inspected/documented by my friend who is considered one of the formost authorities on 66 Chevelles.
Dave L.
SoCal

[Bill Pritchard]

My source says exactly the same thing...3099 in 66, which includes the ElCamino. So it looks like I was wrong...yet again http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Why the big drop in production from 66 to 67, I don't know http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

Yes, I'm pretty sure we have the same source/friend, Dave http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[67L78conv]

The L78 was removed as an option for the Chevelle in 1967 and then reintroduced later in the year after it became available. In the Camaro it was announced as available on March 17th, 1967, The Chevelle I am not sure of the date on but I understand from other researchers that they feel it was introduced in either April or early May of 67.

[olredalert]

------I have a friend on Cape Cod that is the original owner of his all-black 67 375hp Chevelle. He drag raced it extensively, sold it and many years later tripped over it at Carlisle and bought it back as basicly a basket case. Last I heard he is still putting it back together........Bill S

[Hawkeye]

Is there a way to determine which engine came in a 1967 Chevelle that no longer has the original engine or paperwork? Is there any parts or any other options required to be a 375 HP car? Is there anyone I can contact that is an expert on this subject? I really need to find this information fast. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[66 L78 ragtop]

[ QUOTE ]
------I have a friend on Cape Cod that is the original owner of his all-black 67 375hp Chevelle. He drag raced it extensively, sold it and many years later tripped over it at Carlisle and bought it back as basicly a basket case. Last I heard he is still putting it back together........Bill S

[/ QUOTE ]

Interesting, I know someone who may have his protecto plate...Feel free to PM me if he has interest in checking for a match!! Also want to add that I know of a few orphan 67 L78 blocks with original untouched pads...So we may have his original block as well!?

IMO, part of the reason for the higher 66 L78 production number is because the 66 Chevelle was the only car to sport the L78 as an option when new. It was a new and attractive body style sporting the powerful 65 vette L78. (although there were some engine differences)

As a side note, there are a couple of documented 66 SS L78 Chevelles with 425hp ratings. No known engine differences when compared to the 375hp rated engines

In 67, the Chevelle had to compete with the new Camaro and its various configurations/conversions. Not to mention that an L78 Chevelle in 67 was essentially old hat...just my opinion

[66 L78 ragtop]

I would contact either Jeff Helms or Dale Mcintosh...They have studied 67 Chevelle FACTS extensively and are guys that I consider 67 Chevelle authorities

[Hawkeye]

Thank you. Can you PM me their contact information or give me their usernames. I really appreciate the response.

[66 L78 ragtop]

I'm not sure of Jeffs user name. (I think he goes by JeffChevelles) You can probably search the site for his name

Google Dale Mcintosh...He as a website and Chevelle Fact CDs the he sells

[John Brown]

How about checking out this web site.

http://www.chevellestuff.com/

It has a L78 and a L79 registry link on it.

[olredalert]

------Orlando,,,Thanks for the comeback, but I think Mike has all his original paperwork for his L78........Bill S

[CT Mark]

No way to confirm a 67 L-78 without original engine or docs....as far as I know. It's likely possible to eliminate cars based on plant and build date.

[Astock]

Does your car have the original rear end? If so,what is the code? In my own experience the majority of these cars came with 3:73-4:56 posi,4:10 being the most popular. If your car has a 3:08,3:31 or a open,I think you have less than a 10% chance.

[Hawkeye]

The car has KK code 4:10 posi. Will the fuel line tell me anything? What date code and plant would narrow the possibility down. Is it since the L78 option was dropped from the line-up would 67 L78s be an early build? Like an 11E build date and Baltimore plant?
Thanks for all the responses.

[wheelhop]

I can't speak for a 67's but if it were a 69 L78 car, one of the "clues" would be a single fuel line.

[jeffschevelle]

[ QUOTE ]
The car has KK code 4:10 posi. Will the fuel line tell me anything? What date code and plant would narrow the possibility down. Is it since the L78 option was dropped from the line-up would 67 L78s be an early build? Like an 11E build date and Baltimore plant?
Thanks for all the responses.

[/ QUOTE ]

L78 was cancelled in the Chevelle at the beginning of 67 production and re-released in April of 1967. The earliest cowl tag date I am aware of in a documented real car (without a fishy deck stamp or other red flags) is 04C.

No way to absolutely confirm the original HP in a 67 with it's engine gone and no docs. There are numerous tell-tale signs of an L78, but the problem is they can all be bolted on the car from another car (such as a hi-redline blinker tach, deep groove pulleys, a 67 Z28 fan blade and clutch, etc.). And some of the items were also available as options with a 350 HP 396 (such as a 4-row radiator with fan shroud).

Jeff

[Big Block Bill]

I have owned 2 - 1967 Chevelles with the "360" horsepower engine. Both were P.O.P. documented, L-35 / 1 - M-20, 1 - TH400 / both 3:55 Posi, both had an Iron intake & single feed Holley carb, both had hydraulic lifters and were rated @ 360 horsepower on the factory open element air cleaner sticker.

The L-34 was a Rochester 4 Barrel Iron intake, hydraulic lifter, closed element air cleaner, and rated @ 325 horsepower., The L-78 was rated @ 375 horsepower, had an aluminum intake, open air cleaner element & dual feed Holley carb, and was solid lifter engine.

The first car I had was in 1973. What I remembered:, there were 2 hydraulic lifter engines available in 1967, a 325 & a 360 horsepower rated engine, and 1 - 375 horsepower solid lifter engine. Could be a case of "Sometimers" setting in....if I'm wrong.

Bill Pankiw

[olredalert]

-----Hey Bill,,,Im trying to get a handle on what you are saying, as I wasnt aware of 1967 "360hp" Chevelles being delivered. 67s were available with 325, 350, and at various times during the year 375s in my occasionally flawed memory. I cant say I have ever heard of a 67 "360hp", but that could be MY "sometimers" http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hmmm.gif. I looked at a bunch of 67s new on the dealer floor in the fall of 66 at various dealers but never saw a 360 hp 67!!! On the other hand I never saw a 375hp 67 Chevelle on the dealer floor either, but I did see a few during the year in the first owners hands.
-----You are certainly correct about the single fuel line on all big block Chevelles built in 1967, however.......Bill S

[CT Mark]

67 had the 350 HP motor. Also, I think the L-35 was 325 HP. L-34 was 350 HP.

[Big Block Bill]

Bill & Mark,

I just looked in a 1967 Chevrolet Dealers album I have, and I was incorrect. I had L-34 & L-35 reversed, and there appears to be no listing for a 360 horsepower in 1967, only in 1966.

I know the second car I had was a first week of November 1966 build date and it had "360" horsepower sticker on the original chrome open air cleaner lid. It could have been a 1966 left over sticker.

The first car I had was in high school in 1973, and we never had a clue about trim tags, build dates, ect. Sorry for the "Sometimers" moment.

Bill Pankiw

[L34Pace]

Don't forget about the L79 327/325hp (350hp) that was available in 1967 but not 1966 in the Chevelle line up. It was a rare bird too, as was the L78, and by most standards a serious 2nd option to compete with the L78 for perfomance rights for Chevelle.