Re: 65 L78 hood grills
Second That!
Second That!
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Re: 65 L78 hood grills
Excellent Jack! Thank you.Comment
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Re: 65 L78 hood grills
Guyz- I appreciate the very kind comments... but that research credit, all goes to Everett Ogilvie.
It seemz that a few questions still linger... particularly, how/why did the chrome Phillips fasteners come into play.
Reviewing the 1965 & 1966 AIM, the screw part numbers match up EXACTLY with ONLY the GM fastener drawings...
And as testified by Everett's comments regarding the GM fastener drawings... BOTH are hex phosphate screws:
"both part numbers were phosphate-coated hex-head machine screws"
The only difference mentioned, was the second part number (updated in the 1966 AIM) was 1/16" longer (now 3/8").
So why are we seeing so many chrome Phillips screws in early 66 builds... which could also possibly translate, to later in 65.
Was there a known problem with the 'shorter' 1965 5/16" hex fastener... were the chrome Phillips a temp/stop gap measure?
It would be helpful, if someone was willing to accurately measure the length of a chrome Phillips fastener.
Additional survey info could help... but perhaps that has been done, and reflected in the latest Judging Guides.
(then again, therez NO mention of the chrome Phillips fasteners in the latest 1966 TIM&JG... only the SHORTER 1965 5/16" hex)
Reviewing some period correct magazine road test articles, we see the following:
Here we have an 'unpublished' photo from a December 1965 Sports Car Graphic review.
This Corvette was borrowed from the new car inventory at Harry Mann Chevrolet (not a Press Car)...
And with the hood prop on the right/passenger side, it likely reflects a leftover 1965 BB hood.
Itz doubtful we're seeing any black phosphate screws holding the vents... they shine similar to a chrome fastener.
(just another opportunity to mention the 'non-existent' early 66 fan shroud coolant sticker seen below... forget you saw that too)
Sports Car Graphic (Dec 1965 - UNPUBLISHED).jpg
This image comes from a June 1966 review, via Hi-Performance Cars magazine.
You'll notice that the vent 'shields' have been removed, and valve lash adjustments were being carried out.
More likely an older Press Car... but it would make common sense, that the 'original' chrome fasteners were retained.
(the full length image seemz to show the outline of the hood prop, under the cloth fender cover)
Hi-Performance Cars (June 1966).jpg
Just more food for thought... and perhaps someone is also willing to scour the archives.
As usual, your mileage may vary...Comment
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Re: 65 L78 hood grills
The original hood grilles on my '65 L-78 show no evidence of ever having any flat black paint on the vertical ribs of the grille. My 1965 Technical Manual ( 6th edition - page 69 ) does make reference to flat black painted area. I believe that this information is incorrect as pertains to the '65 grilles. Attachment is with the screws as referenced above with the EL head marking with a black phosphate finish
Ray KimminauComment
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Re: 65 L78 hood grills
Just a quick update... perhaps it will help future searches.
I've been able to zoom and enhance one image... those are definitely chrome Phillips fasteners, on an early '66.
Sports Car Graphic (Dec 1965 - ZOOMED).jpg
E.J. Storrer was kind enough to measure the length of the chrome Phillips screws, on his very original October 65 build... they are 3/8".
So at this point, the only reason for these screws would likely be TEMP usage... until the longer hex phosphate screws arrived.
(and that likely took place near the end of 65 production, and start of 66 production... using up a batch of those fasteners)
But we still don't know exactly 'WHY' a longer screw was specified... I'm 'speculating' it was likely a St Louis assembly line request.
With the shorter 5/16" fastener and torque specs, perhaps they were having assembly difficulties... maybe stripping some internal threads.
We may never know the exact reason, but I believe this leaves little doubt that these chrome Phillips fasteners were utilized in production.Comment
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