Calling all '66 427 with Air Conditioning Owners

[Mike B.]

Good Evening Guys,

Just recently I've found out about a '66 L-36 w/AC survivor car up in Massachusetts that's just 33 cars behind mine in production. I saw a few photos of the car's air conditioning components and dates and it's really lit a fire under me. I'd love to chat with the owner, but it's turned into a dead end so far. I know that this is most likely a long shot, but I have to reach out to any of you that can help. A good NCRS buddy told me just now to ask if any of you out there can help. He shares my passion for Corvette research. We both love the detective work.

When I bought my '66 AC 390hp convertible back in 1988, I didn't know much about Sting Rays at all. She was my first Corvette. Well, she turned out to be all numbers matching, but she'd lost a lot of her originality since she'd been well picked over before I rescued her from Bubbuh. Especially her engine bay. Even though her original block and transmission were there, most everything else wasn't.

All of her engine bay air conditioning components were long gone. Thank goodness her evaporator/blower motor/STV assembly was still there. Along with the AC system, the engine components were changed down to the nuts and bolts. It's been a lifelong search for what originally went where with this '66 of mine. Others might have given up, but I was committed to restore her back to as close to original as I could get her. Along the way, there's been other Corvettes to work on. But now she's become center stage.

I'm reaching out to any '66 AC owner that has a VIN number as close to #7200 as possible. Especially 427 L-36 air conditioned cars. I'd like to establish a good thread of information between us all. I've since been able to recover a lot of my car's original air conditioning components back from prior owners. Maybe I can help you! I'm especially interested in proper bolt application and original head marks.

Really looking forward to hearing from fellow '66 AC car owners,
Mike

[Michael J.]

Re: Calling all '66 427 with Air Conditioning Owners

Wish I could help, but my '66 L36 A/C coupe is VIN 18XXX, so way too late, sorry.

[Vernon S.]

Re: Calling all '66 427 with Air Conditioning Owners

Hi Mike, I have a 66 L36 A/C coupe in the 5000 group for the vin. I have owned this vehicle for 50 years. If I can be of assistance let me know.

[Mike B.]

Re: Calling all '66 427 with Air Conditioning Owners

Michael,

VIN #18,000 is close enough for me! When I write these posts, I do my best not to alienate anyone who views them. Poor wording on my part. I'd really like to hear about your special car. I've enjoyed your prior posts. Please continue to chime in!

Mike

[John M.]

Re: Calling all '66 427 with Air Conditioning Owners

Here in England , I have two 66 427/390 cars with original drivetrains and they are both export cars and both are A/C.
Vin12XXX is a convertible and Vin18XXX is a coupe.

John

[Mike B.]

Re: Calling all '66 427 with Air Conditioning Owners

Hello Vernon (Skip),

Absolutely! I could definitely use your help. I've seen a post or two from you and they've always been helpful. I especially remember the one you posted to Bill Caldwell pertaining to his survey about radiator support holes. Great pics! I suspect my support has only one condenser/dryer tube hole like the photo you posted of yours.

I've got an NCRS buddy up in Canada who has a '66 L-36 w/AC car that's 600 cars after mine. We've been in contact for quite some time now and he's been a huge help to me with my research. I think I've been good help to him as well. His car's radiator support condenser tube goes over the support like yours and has only one hole for the dryer tube. Sadly, I once thought my support was original, but now I suspect that it was replaced long ago.

Here's my 1st two questions to you and Michael. And to anyone else out there that's reading this thread, please reply as well. Big block AC or small block AC. It's great if you're close to my VIN, but not necessary. Posted photos are always extremely helpful! I document every shot that people post about midyear AC, so don't think your efforts have been wasted!

1. I'll ask this one more time. Do all of you AC car owners have open style radiator supports? In other words, your supports have no "X" brace bars installed? See attached pic showing the non-AC cross bars.

2. Please describe the head mark of the bolt that holds the aluminum muffler to your compressor. There should be a lock washer and a thick plain washer underneath the bolt head. Please describe any lines (grade) or marks the bolt head may have as well. Any photos?

[Mike B.]

Re: Calling all '66 427 with Air Conditioning Owners

Hello John,

Great to hear from a fellow Corvette brother in the UK! I've got relatives not far from London.

What a rare collection. Not one, but two '66 427 AC cars! I'm sure we'd all enjoy comparing our L-36's with you.

Looking forward to hearing from you,
Mike (in Maryland and Florida)

[John M.]

Re: Calling all '66 427 with Air Conditioning Owners

Both of the cars have the open style radiator support , I'm wondering would the X braces be in the way of the condenser. The bolt head on the car that has the compressor in place has cross lines and the anchor mark in a recessed head.This may not be the original bolt however as the car has been restored,I do have a photograph showing a side view before removal for restoration,I think this shows the heavy washer and spring washer.

John

[Vernon S.]

Re: Calling all '66 427 with Air Conditioning Owners

Hi Mike, I checked my radiator support and it does not have the X brace. Also the bolt securing the manifold to the rear of the compressor is exactly the same as the one in your posted picture. Hope this helps.


Skip

[Michael J.]

Re: Calling all '66 427 with Air Conditioning Owners

Michael,

VIN #18,000 is close enough for me! When I write these posts, I do my best not to alienate anyone who views them. Poor wording on my part. I'd really like to hear about your special car. I've enjoyed your prior posts. Please continue to chime in!

Mike

OK, will do.

[Mike B.]

Re: Calling all '66 427 with Air Conditioning Owners

Thanks John,

I agree. The X-Bar would interfere with the condenser clearance. A friend up north in Canada told me of this. I hadn't realized this fact for the longest time since my AC was removed in that area long ago. Yes, any original shot of ANY air conditioning component or part would be much appreciated! It'll be interesting to see running differences between your two cars.

Mike

[Mike B.]

Re: Calling all '66 427 with Air Conditioning Owners

Hi Skip,

That sums it up as far as the radiator support question. My car was running when I purchased her in '88 but without the condenser and engine AC components. Found evidence of Nassau Blue paint inside the gaps of my X-barred support. For the longest time I assumed it was original. Whenever I saw an AC car, small block or big block I'd never noticed the open style support for some reason. My NCRS buddy up in Canada flagged the fact that AC cars have open radiator supports due to interference at the condenser. Oh well, now I'm sure that I need a different radiator support. And an early '66 AC version that has only one hole for the dryer tube. Happy hunting to me. I know of one already.

Thanks for your response about the muffler bolt. Any pics would be much appreciated! I've pretty much decided that "WB" grade 2 (no lines) is the head mark I'll choose for my compressor muffler. I've got about 8 various head marks that I've collected through the years. Two "WBs". One really nice one. I say this due to others reporting the same bolt on cars built the first half of '66 production. I'd really like to hear from everybody of what head mark you have with an approximate VIN. It's been detailed detective work through the years finding correct applications and head marks for all of the hardware that was taken away from my car. If at all possible, I won't use repro bolts on my car. Although some are quite good. I've waited this long........

Now for more questions and photos. Mike

[Leif A.]

Re: Calling all '66 427 with Air Conditioning Owners

Here ya go Mike.

https://www.coffmancorvette.com/products/radiator-supports/1966-1967-corvette-big-block-with-ac-radiator-support

[Mike B.]

Re: Calling all '66 427 with Air Conditioning Owners

Thanks Leif,

I just went on Coffman's website to see what they have. So far, it looks like they have the later style '66 support with the two round holes. My car should've come with an earlier version with only one hole for the dryer tube. During my VIN #72XX production, the factory was still routing the condenser tube over top the support so two holes weren't required (yet).

I'm gonna call them to see if they make them with the single hole. What the heck, I already purchased the Dewitt's repro radiator!
Mike

[Domenic T.]

Re: Calling all '66 427 with Air Conditioning Owners

Mike,
all correct about the X on the support, but the condenser does fit. I did it and for safety used very thin 3/32" spacers. Nothing to do with what you are looking for but nice to know. Also all holes were same as non X.

Dom