'66 -'67 Parts Research from the Gurus

[Mike B.]

Good Morning Guys,

Well, I'm not quite ready to give up on the research I started a couple of weeks ago. I'm now wondering if there's the possibility that '66 Corvette 427 AC compressor bracket #3887165 and #3887166 were ever installed on other GM cars circa 1966-later?

I'm pretty good at basic research of the parts that I've collected through the years, but nowhere near as good as some of you with your volumes of historic parts catalogs. I really respect your detailed knowledge and could surely use your help determining if these two brackets were used solely on 1966 Corvettes? Or the chance that they were installed on early '67 427 AC Corvettes?

If I can find these facts I'll be able to search in the right direction. Here's some shots of these hard to find brackets.

Thanks, Mike

[Wayne M.]

Re: '66 -'67 Parts Research from the Gurus

Mike --- these two numbers you show appear in my P&A30 Chevrolet catalogues starting with the 1967 volume, Group 9.171, with reference to 66 Corvette use only. The '66 catalog only lists 3883930 and 3883931. The '69 catalog shows '66-only for 427 with CAC as 3887165 and 3887166 for front and rear, respectively. The 1969 parts history index shows 3883930 and 3931 superseded by 7165 and 7166 on 1-66.

So it appears these 2 parts are 1966 Corvette-only.

[David L.]

Re: '66 -'67 Parts Research from the Gurus

I agree with Wayne's comments.

My 1966 Chevrolet Parts Catalog (Oct. 1965) lists GM # 3883930 and # 3883931 for the 1966 Corvette w/C.A.C. (427) for the front and rear compressor brackets. However, My 1966 Corvette Assembly lists GM # 3887166 and GM # 3887165 for these brackets on UPC C60, sheet C3 for there L36 engine. Sheet C3 was redrawn and redesigned on 6-17-65 as per the revision box. Is it possible that very early L36 engines with AC came with the 3883930 and 38839930 brackets since it takes time from the drawing boards to the assembly line. GM # 3883930 and # 3883931 were sold over the counter until Jan. 1966.

I could not find any of the 4 part numbers listed in any of my other vintage 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, etc. Chevrolet parts catalogs for other Chevrolet models........1966 Corvette 427 w/AC models only and possibly early 1967 Corvettes 427 w/AC models as UPC, sheet C3 in the 1967 Corvette Assembly Manual was redrawn on 11-17-66.

Dave

[Mike B.]

Re: '66 -'67 Parts Research from the Gurus

I need more parts catalogs! I recently bought a reprint of P&A 30B '53-'69 Corvette Parts & Accessories Catalog to further my research of '66-'67 427 AC compressor brackets. I was disillusioned to find no new info in Group 9.171 above what the '66-'67 AIMs listed as those bracket part numbers. The '66 AIM shows the rear/front compressor brackets as 3887165/3887166 and the '67 AIM rear/front as 3894364/3894362.

Wayne and Dave, thank you for responding. This is exactly the info that I needed! Now I'm very curious as to the actual application by Chevrolet of the 3883930 & 3883931 brackets. I've never heard of these bracket numbers before. But without the libraries that the two of you have I wouldn't have. I really enjoy the hunt for vintage parts and application. I gotta get going on my own library.

I did see that the '66 AIM C60 sheet C3 was redrawn on 6-17-'65. That sheet shows brackets 3887165/3887166 only. No mention of brackets 3883930/3883931. I'm extremely interested if these 2 brackets were ever installed on very early '66 Corvette 427/AC models.

Thanks Dave for researching your Chevrolet Parts Catalogs for these 4 bracket numbers/installation on other Chevrolet models. Great! Now I know that these are '66 Corvette only parts. Huge info.

Now for the big question. Since the '67 AIM C60 sheet C3 was redrawn 11-17-'66 I'm researching if there was the possibility of leftover '66 brackets being installed on early '67 427 AC Corvettes? Here's a photo of a set of brackets that are reportedly from an October '66 build date '67 AC car. I just recently purchased these just to get the set of 3887165/3887166 brackets since they're so hard to come by. But when I received them I noticed this 3887165 bracket is different from the other two '66 bracket sets that I own. It's part number is stamped in a different location and it's shape is almost identical to the later '67 style bracket 3894364. Until I know otherwise I'm considering this bracket to be a strong possible early transition bracket for '67 Corvettes. I'll post some comparison shots soon.

Thank you Wayne and Dave for your help! Here's the shot of the possible early '67 427 AC brackets. Mike

[David L.]

Re: '66 -'67 Parts Research from the Gurus

Mike,

I sent you a PM.

Dave