1967 Corvette Question(s)

[William S.]

Hi-I'm a new member of NCRS and happy to join the community.

I am considering purchasing a 1967 roadster 435hp car. The car is not being represented as a numbers match car (nor priced as one) and has very little documented history. It has the 6500 redline tach, 80lb oil pressure gauge, big block rear end, and of course the tri power set up on the installed big block. The engine casting numbers seem to match the car. The car appears to be restored, but needs more work to complete.

My questions:
1- Are there any visual ques to determine if the car is in fact an original big block car? Frame supports/bracing unique to big block vettes etc?
2 - Besides casting numbers, are there visual inspection methods to ensure this is in fact a 427 and not a 396 or 454?
3 - Are there any databases to search VIN#'s on these cars?

I'm not hung up this being a numbers matching car--just want to do my homework and make sure that this is an orginal big block roadster. This car will be enjoyed and driven--I'm not interested in a museum piece.

Many thanks in advance for your advice and input-

[Joseph T.]

Re: 1967 Corvette Question(s)

William,
It seems like you have already checked some important items. Here are a couple other tell-tale signs ,but all can be duplicated during restoration.
1-Half shaft attachment will use caps and bolts instead of u-Bolts.
2-Hood support location on drivers side
3-fuel line bend angle and length from front frame clip( by idler arm mount bracket) to end of line is about 10 inches on Big Blocks. On small blocks it is approx. 5''. This is only if line has not been replaced.
4-St. Louis body (located on trim plate ) if serial number is above 1000.
5-Rear sway bar attachment. Bracket Holes in frame and rear trailing arm holes for bracket.
6- Front sway bar is 15/16" in diameter.

Casting number for block is the biggest sign of a 1967 427.
Good Luck.

[Joe R.]

Re: 1967 Corvette Question(s)

William,

As Joseph mentioned, I would go by the casting number of the block. Here is a web site that shows where it will probably be located:

http://www.yearone.com/updatedsinglepages/Id_info/gm_engine_id/engineinfo2.asp

Try a search of the archives, the question about how to tell a big block car has come up before.

Good luck,
Joe

[Joel F.]

Re: 1967 Corvette Question(s)

William,

With regards to the 396 vs 427 vs 454, the answer lies in the casting number. If it is a 3904351 block then it is not a 396. The 3904351 block was only used in 427s (both 396 and 427 have the same stroke, the only difference is the larger bore size).

If it is a non-numbers matching car, it does not matter that much, but you might check the casting date on the pass side of the block, and also check if it is a 4 bolt block by the presence of an oil cooler provision above the oil filter on the drivers side rear of the block. The attached picture shows a 2 bolt block and a 4 bolt block.

Joel

[Joe R.]

Re: 1967 Corvette Question(s)

William,

Here's another web site you might find helpful:

http://www.rowleycorvette.com/stats67.html

It shows more than one block casting number, it probably depends on when your car was built.

Joe

[Donald T.]

Re: 1967 Corvette Question(s)

Don't forget that you can also check the tank sticker, if the gas tank hasn't already been replaced. As was mentioned earlier, the fuel line is a dead giveaway if the body has not been off the frame. This is one item that is often overlooked since the body has to be lifted off the frame to replace it. Of course, if the car has had a frame off resto, then all bets are off.

[Michael H.]

Re: 1967 Corvette Question(s)

William,
It seems like you have already checked some important items. Here are a couple other tell-tale signs ,but all can be duplicated during restoration.
1-Half shaft attachment will use caps and bolts instead of u-Bolts.
2-Hood support location on drivers side
3-fuel line bend angle and length from front frame clip( by idler arm mount bracket) to end of line is about 10 inches on Big Blocks. On small blocks it is approx. 5''. This is only if line has not been replaced.
4-St. Louis body (located on trim plate ) if serial number is above 1000.
5-Rear sway bar attachment. Bracket Holes in frame and rear trailing arm holes for bracket.
6- Front sway bar is 15/16" in diameter.

Casting number for block is the biggest sign of a 1967 427.
Good Luck.

Joseph,

I think the front sway bar dim for a 65-67 big block is 7/8" (.875) unless the car has the optional F41 suspension. It would then be 15/16".

[William S.]

Re: 1967 Corvette Question(s)

Many thanks to you all for your replies--the information is very helpful!

[Philip C.]

Re: 1967 Corvette Question(s)

William,
It seems like you have already checked some important items. Here are a couple other tell-tale signs ,but all can be duplicated during restoration.
1-Half shaft attachment will use caps and bolts instead of u-Bolts.
2-Hood support location on drivers side
3-fuel line bend angle and length from front frame clip( by idler arm mount bracket) to end of line is about 10 inches on Big Blocks. On small blocks it is approx. 5''. This is only if line has not been replaced.
4-St. Louis body (located on trim plate ) if serial number is above 1000.
5-Rear sway bar attachment. Bracket Holes in frame and rear trailing arm holes for bracket.
6- Front sway bar is 15/16" in diameter.

Casting number for block is the biggest sign of a 1967 427.
Good Luck.

Hi Joe could you expand on why a big block has to be above 1000 vin Thanks Phil 8063

[Joel F.]

Re: 1967 Corvette Question(s)

Hi Joe could you expand on why a big block has to be above 1000 vin Thanks Phil 8063

If I may answer for Joe, I think he is suggesting that if it is above 1000, it has to be a St Louis body. AO Smith had issues painting the stinger properly so after the first couple weeks all big block bodies were produced at St Louis.

That said, I'd be curious if any members have early AO Smith big blocks, especially with original paint.

[John M.]

Re: 1967 Corvette Question(s)

If I may answer for Joe, I think he is suggesting that if it is above 1000, it has to be a St Louis body. AO Smith had issues painting the stinger properly so after the first couple weeks all big block bodies were produced at St Louis.

Joel,

What were the issues? Was it not straight? Did it just look horrible?

[John H.]

Re: 1967 Corvette Question(s)

Joel,

What were the issues? Was it not straight? Did it just look horrible?

The A.O. Smith paint shop was space-constrained between the end of the final bake oven and the repair booth (where the stinger would have been masked and sprayed), and they were never able to master the masking technique in the space they had available.

[Joel F.]

Re: 1967 Corvette Question(s)

The A.O. Smith paint shop was space-constrained between the end of the final bake oven and the repair booth (where the stinger would have been masked and sprayed), and they were never able to master the masking technique in the space they had available.

John,

Do you know of any AO Smith cars with the messed up stinger (or better have pictures of them)? I am curious how many cars may have made it out the door.

Joel

[John M.]

Re: 1967 Corvette Question(s)

The A.O. Smith paint shop was space-constrained between the end of the final bake oven and the repair booth (where the stinger would have been masked and sprayed), and they were never able to master the masking technique in the space they had available.

Very interesting...thanks!