65 396 Valve Cover..Jake

[Michael H.]

Jake, next time you talk to Zimmerman, ask him what size he thinks the hex is on 65 396 and early 66 427 valve cover screws. 3/8" or 7/16".

[John H.]

Re: 65 396 Valve Cover..Jake

Michael -

I took these today at the Motor City Regional - the '65 has 3/8" hex heads, and the '67 has 7/16" hex heads.

[Michael H.]

Re: 65 396 Valve Cover..Jake

Michael -

I took these today at the Motor City Regional - the '65 has 3/8" hex heads, and the '67 has 7/16" hex heads.

Thanks John. Well, that makes at least 7 or 8 of us that believe the 65 and early 66 BB cover bolt heads are 3/8". Not 7/16".

Hanson
Jorjorian
Whittington
Zimmerman
Burroughs
McKown
The owner of the car in the picture.
And you, if you think they're correct

There may be more but these are the guys that I know are aware of the smaller 3/8" hex head, so far.

I don't know when the change to 7/16" hex head occured during the 66 model year. My Nov 65 built 66 still had 5 or 6 3/8" hex and the rest Dorman/hardware store 7/16" when I bought it decades ago.

[Wayne M.]

Re: 65 396 Valve Cover..Jake

.... believe the 65 and early 66 BB cover bolt heads are 3/8". Not 7/16".

.... I don't know when the change to 7/16" hex head occured during the 66 model year. My Nov 65 built 66 still had 5 or 6 3/8" hex and the rest Dorman/hardware store 7/16" when I bought it decades ago.

Michael -- was not aware before you brought this up, but looking at L78 GM photos in Noland's Vol 2, you can see the difference.

What about bolt head style ? integral washer ? recessed hex ?

[Michael H.]

Re: 65 396 Valve Cover..Jake

Michael -- was not aware before you brought this up, but looking at L78 GM photos in Noland's Vol 2, you can see the difference.

What about bolt head style ? integral washer ? recessed hex ?

Wayne, there was no washer. It was an indented head and, if I remember correctly, there was more than one source. One was RBW?? I know it was three letters but I'm not sure which letters.
Another had what looked like a four leaf clover. I think I have some closeup pic's, somewhere. If I find them, I'll post a few.

[Bob J.]

Re: 65 396 Valve Cover..Jake

You can add Bob Gregory to your list also.
He especially likes to see the 4 leaf clover design when judging, Bob

[Michael H.]

Re: 65 396 Valve Cover..Jake

You can add Bob Gregory to your list also.
He especially likes to see the 4 leaf clover design when judging, Bob

Yup, Bob Gregory is another guy that knows these cars VERY well. In fact, I vaguely remember talking to him a while back and he definitely agreed the smaller 3/8" hex bolt was correct for 65 and early 66. (was at Kissimmee?)

[Jake D.]

Re: 65 396 Valve Cover..Jake

Mike:

Mr. Zimmerman confirms your observation-- 3/8" was the size for 65 396.

[Michael H.]

Re: 65 396 Valve Cover..Jake

Mike:

Mr. Zimmerman confirms your observation-- 3/8" was the size for 65 396.

Thanks Jake. I certainly value his opinion. I know he was studying these L78 cars more than 30 years ago when there were still several untouched originals to look at.