Early 1966 Big Block Fan Shroud Label

[Jack M.]

Has anyone seen/have a 1966 big block fan shroud without the traditional 'DF' labels... but instead, a longer rectangular label? Reviewing several different 1966 magazine road test articles, this label appears on a few vehicles. Perhaps the initial articles show a preproduction/early 427... similar to those reported in older Restorer articles. We can clearly observe the BLACK air cleaner lid (leftover from the 396 engine), and the absence of the horsepower rating decal. In addition, like many other early 1966 427 Corvettes, the hood prop is on the passenger side (also similar to the 1965 396).






Yet this magazine article (below) now has the chrome air cleaner lid with horsepower decal, and the hood prop on the driver side. Unless, the inner fenders and hood were swapped/updated, this seems to be a totally different vehicle (with similar options). Both of the Corvettes lack the traditional 'DF' fan shroud labels... and instead, appear to have a rectangular label (perhaps similar to the 1965 label). In the next photos, I've simply zoomed in to the label as best as possible (given quality and file size limitations).

Please share your thoughts and experiences with early 1966 big block Corvette engine compartment differences.

[Ronald L.]

Re: Early 1966 Big Block Fan Shroud Label

Hi Jack!
I have seen lots of 66/67 BB shrouds, and not a ONE has the small label OVER the paint, it just wasn't the process. All the original inspection labels I have seen are under the paint and I have plenty of photographic evidence. Nor were there three, not on ANY 66/67 shroud on a statistically significant sample size.

Now to the label you are studying... focus on September 1965 early production cars, are there any survivor's out there have haven't been massaged?



Have you studied intently the AIM pages for the affected areas? Triage the 65 to 66 pages and... to the 327 pages with the c60 pages.


Any instructional change to the factory process was documented here, just like the part prints have a change block, lots of details in the details with dates and names of those responsible.

[Jack M.]

Re: Early 1966 Big Block Fan Shroud Label

Hey Ron - Always good to hear from you! THANX for the reply and info... much appreciated. It would be interesting to hear from folks that have early 427's... especially during the hood changeover time frame.

[Mark D.]

Re: Early 1966 Big Block Fan Shroud Label

Awesome pics!

[Jack M.]

Re: Early 1966 Big Block Fan Shroud Label

Any early 1966/427 owners out there?

[Ronald L.]

Re: Early 1966 Big Block Fan Shroud Label

Jack, sure would be nice that some of the early owners share this, unless they tore them off to make the JG compliant.

[Jack M.]

Re: Early 1966 Big Block Fan Shroud Label

Just updating this thread, with a little more info:

Reviewing another 1966 road test (Sports Car Graphic - Dec 1965), we see this photo (with a shroud sticker):

SCG-03-SHROUD.jpg


According to the magazine text, this was a DEALER STOCK vehicle... very early, per the hood support.

Sports Car Graphic Text.jpg


Looking at the 1966 Corvette AIM, we see that a STICKER (3859468) was REMOVED.

3859468 UPC-0, B1 (TOP).jpg
3859468 UPC-0, B1 (BOTTOM).jpg


I discovered part #3859468 was indeed a COOLANT sticker... but we don't know the exact application usage.
(it would be nice if someone had an EARLY 1966 AIM... where the part was listed at the top of the AIM)

Zooming into an image I posted earlier, see what you think... given we can't actually read very much text.
(the shroud sticker seems to have gotten wet... perhaps increasing the reading difficulty)
Personally, I see three (3) lines of text up top... followed by a large space, then four (4) lines of text.
That layout seems to correspond to the 3859468 sticker... and some word lengths, also seem similar.

1966 BB Corvette Shroud Sticker.jpg


No conclusions for me yet... but this shroud sticker research, lives on.
Please share your thoughts... pretend this was a 'What Oil Should I Use' thread.

[Alan D.]

Re: Early 1966 Big Block Fan Shroud Label

Here is a photo from Nolands book page 355.
You can not read what it says but at least compare lines.
Sometimes you can find old copies of Corvette News on line for 66, try those.

[Jack M.]

Re: Early 1966 Big Block Fan Shroud Label

THANX, Alan... I appreciate the assist!

[Don H.]

Re: Early 1966 Big Block Fan Shroud Label

Looks very much like the coolant warning decal on 65 327 fan shrouds.

[Jack M.]

Re: Early 1966 Big Block Fan Shroud Label

THANX, Don... I do see a couple similar labels.

[Jack M.]

Re: Early 1966 Big Block Fan Shroud Label

Just another update... given the additional info from Alan and Don.
I've seen some various looking #3859468 coolant stickers/decals...
Here's a different composite, using the Nov 1965 GM photo in Noland's book.
It would be nice to hear from anyone with an EARLY/ORIGINAL 66... with or without the sticker.

1966 BB Corvette Shroud Sticker-03.jpg

[Jack M.]

Re: Early 1966 Big Block Fan Shroud Label

And THANX to Russ Uzes, we have the Nov 1965 GM image of the early 66 BB coolant label (on the fan shroud)!

1966 Coolant Label .jpg

[Ronald L.]

Re: Early 1966 Big Block Fan Shroud Label

Hi Jack,
I happened to come across the 3859468 label, yet there does not seem to be a repro indicated for '66 by the big box stores.
Any idea why?

Note - what the Repro houses do show a 63-65 version mentioned above with box around CAUTION and "No" GM part number...
Seems like most parts in the GM system like this "had" the GM part number printed.

thoughts?

[Jack M.]

Re: Early 1966 Big Block Fan Shroud Label

Ron- Do you know what year the shroud was... small block or big block?
I've seen different versions of this label/sticker/decal... most do NOT list it for 66, but Paragon shows it for 1964 - E1966.
I have no idea why this seems to be a mystery... itz in old 66 photos, and mentioned in the AIM.