Big Block 65 on Ebay

[Bruce B.]

Ebay item #110097507041.
The block casting number (3855962) appears correct for a 396 65 Corvette but does the "P" below the number indicate passenger car?
Any info is appreciated.
Bruce B.

[Joe L.]

Re: Big Block 65 on Ebay

Bruce-----

The block appears to be correct (although I can't say that it's original to the car; that's another issue). In the context used, a Corvette is a passenger car (as opposed to "truck" which is the other possibility). However, observing a "T" on a block does not, by itself, indicate a "truck" block. The "T" on big blocks represents "Tonawanda foundry".

As a matter of fact, the "P" will often be found on blocks used for light and medium duty trucks, too. They are the same as "passenger car".

[Wayne M.]

Re: Big Block 65 on Ebay

Bruce --- I've always seen the horizontal "P" and probably it means passenger, even in a Corvette. But according to the '65 TIM & JG, a block cast this early (say 1st week of March or earlier, per a mid-March assy.) should "typically" have "PASS embossed on the right bellhousing mounting flange" (not "HI-PERF" -- which began "on cylinder cases with casting dates of 'E' (May) or later".

In reality, you can't read too much meaning into these casting designations: example, even on a 2-bolt main "961" mid-May block, HiPerf appears 3 times (above oil filter mount, under timing cover and at back (under the bellhousing); Pass appears 4 times (same as HiPerf + right bellhousing mount flange), and Truck once (back, hidden by bellhousing).

There's a few numerals in the case # that I question (ie. the "2" has an imperfection on the upper right, and the diagonal slope is too "curvy". Not sure I like the "6" next to it, either. CAVEAT: these casting #'s can take on completely different appearances, depending on angle of illumination.