'65 327 intake date code with big time gap

[Andrew E.]

I have '65 327/300 17377, which would have been assembled in May of 1965. The intake is a correct 3844459 with a date stamp of H274, or 6/27/64. The heads are date stamped D285, so 4/28/65. Pics attached. The date on the heads seems to make sense for the car's assembly date, but an 11-month gap between the intake casting date and the assembly date seems long. Has this been observed on other cars? I did some searching in the forum and couldn't find other examples of a gap this long.

[Edward J.]

Re: '65 327 intake date code with big time gap

Andrew my take is that the 300hp cars were produced in large numbers, so generally I see a date gap of weeks. these cars were modified back in the day with intake manifolds and bigger CFM carbs. Its possible someone wanted to bring the car back to it original origin as it was built.

[Mark P.]

Re: '65 327 intake date code with big time gap

My 65 300HP car has a 3844459 manifold dated 12/21/64 and a build date of 2/4/65.

H274 is August 27, 1964, right ?

[Andrew E.]

Re: '65 327 intake date code with big time gap

Sorry, typo on my part! It's F274, not H. You can see it in the pic as well.

A 1.5-month gap doesn't sound too bad, but 11 months?

[Patrick H.]

Re: '65 327 intake date code with big time gap

I have an August 70 to June 71 gap on the water pump on my 71. Unusual things do happen.

Any evidence it was ever off the car prior to now?

[Andrew E.]

Re: '65 327 intake date code with big time gap

Yes it has definitely been apart in the past (with a prior owner) for valve work. I don't know the reason but a couple of the exhaust valves were different from the rest. Everything else on the engine appears to be original - block, heads, carb and exhaust. I can't imagine why the intake would be replaced unless someone removed it for servicing and dropped it, breaking off a piece. But that seems unlikely.

My guess is it's original so I'm trying to see if there are other examples of long gaps. A friend with another small-block '65 has a 4-month gap with his (August to December). That's the longest I've found except for mine so far.

[Edward J.]

Re: '65 327 intake date code with big time gap

Andrew, nothing is for certain when it comes to dated components, it may have been sitting in a dark corner? The General does not throw away good parts. 50+ years ago no one thought these cars would be where there are today. As far as the NCRS the 6 month rule would likely stand in a case like yours if judged. there would be a small deduct if judged or the date.

[Jim D.]

Re: '65 327 intake date code with big time gap

Just for a reference, my April built 300HP 65 had a block casting date of C-21-5, both heads C-25-5 & intake C-22-5 with an engine assembly date of 3-29. The trans. and rear end had the same date of 3-29.