1964: L75 vs L76

[Steve F.]

New guy question, please tolerate my ignorance:

Would the only cosmetic differences between a '64 327/300 and a 327/365 be the Holley carb and the finned valve covers?

Thanks,

Steve

[Duke W.]

Re: 1964: L75 vs L76

The 365 has an aluminum versus cast iron inlet manifold and a dual belt drive for the coolant pump and alternator with different pulley diameters. Also, the 365 has an external coolant bypass - the short 90 degree hose from the top of the alternator to the inlet manifold.

Duke

[Steve F.]

Re: 1964: L75 vs L76

Duke: thanks for your reply.

I couldn't find a good photo of a 365 anywhere.

Thanks again,

Steve

[Stuart F.]

Re: 1964: L75 vs L76

We know you meant "Water Pump" and not "Alternator" Duke. The larger diameter alternator pully/fan is a hot item too. I had an outfit in Chicago conveniently loose mine for 6 months during a rebuild (guess who).

Also, I guess it may be worth mentioning that there are a few more chrome pieces on an L-76, i.e. fuel line (pump to filter), oil fill pipe and cap, as well as the Air Cleaner.

Stu Fox

[Steve F.]

Re: 1964: L75 vs L76

So would this appear, at least cosmetically, to be a 365? The carb is a Holley, but the belt drive seems to be single. As I recall, the tach has a 6500 redline.




Thanks again,

Steve

[Stuart F.]

Re: 1964: L75 vs L76

Steve;

Yes, it looks good with the exception of the double belt and pulley system which is a BIG item. You not only have a dual belt pulley on the water pump (fan) but also off the crankshaft dynamic balancer which, in itself, is unique as it is almost 2" thick and has cooling fins on the inside open to the rear (engine). The alternator pulley is also a larger diameter with a deep groove and its fan blade has a greater number of cooling blades. The crank to water pump belt usues an adjustable idler pulley on the left front of the engine mounted off the block and water pump. Other than that, cosmetically, it looks pretty good. I suppose anyone can put a solid lifter cam in the engine which many of us old timers could listen to run and tell you if it was a 30-30 or not.

This may well have been a legit 365 hp L-76, but it lost some major parts in a rebuild.

Do you have any pictures of the other side?

Stu Fox

[Steve F.]

Re: 1964: L75 vs L76

Steve;

Yes, it looks good with the exception of the double belt and pulley system which is a BIG item. You not only have a dual belt pulley on the water pump (fan) but also off the crankshaft dynamic balancer which, in itself, is unique as it is almost 2" thick and has cooling fins on the inside open to the rear (engine). The alternator pulley is also a larger diameter with a deep groove and its fan blade has a greater number of cooling blades. The crank to water pump belt usues an adjustable idler pulley on the left front of the engine mounted off the block and water pump. Other than that, cosmetically, it looks pretty good. I suppose anyone can put a solid lifter cam in the engine which many of us old timers could listen to run and tell you if it was a 30-30 or not.

This may well have been a legit 365 hp L-76, but it lost some major parts in a rebuild.

Do you have any pictures of the other side?

Stu Fox

Stu: thank you for your response.

This engine, so I am told, was originally an L75 327/300. When the car had its frame off restoration, the original engine was rebuilt as a 365, but I guess not to the extent of the pullys. The seller has been very up front about it and to his credit has never misrepresented it as an original 365 car.

Steve

[David D.]

Re: 1964: L75 vs L76

Besides the Idler Pulley (used on 365hp) on the opposite side of Alternator, other small cosmetic differences.....the 365hp has a 2 1/2" Exhaust manifolds vs. 2" on the 300hp.
Also, the 365hp has a 6qt Oil Pan vs. a 5qt (normal) on the 300hp. Because of this the 365 had no capability of having Power Steering unit.
There is also (as previously mentioned) lots of little chrome differences. ie. Oil filler tube, fuel lines, etc.....
David

Hey Steve, Stu....are you guys related?

[William C.]

Re: 1964: L75 vs L76

300hp in '64 was 2 1/2 inch exhaust, same as 365. 2 inch on 300 did not start until '66 so the exhaust manifolds should be ok.

[Stuart F.]

Re: 1964: L75 vs L76

David;

Ya, us Fox's are all brothers, leastwise those of us with the single "X"!

You have a 64, right? What size are your manifolds? Which one used the sleeve down (2-1/2" to 2")? I'll have to go check the books on that. You've tweeked my interest.

Stu Fox

[Stuart F.]

Re: 1964: L75 vs L76

Just another small point; The accelerator arm throttle rod location looks to be much lower than I recall. Is that due to the power brake hose location and, if so, is that normal? I seem to recall the hose was retained by a bracket at a lower spot so the throttle arm would clear above it. Again, I'll have to check the books.

Stu Fox

[Stuart F.]

Re: 1964: L75 vs L76

I checked some books and I stand corrected. The arrangement shown in the picture for the Accelerator Rod and Power Brake hose is accurate for a 64. What I had in mind was that of a 63. The latter uses a different Power Brake unit with the connection on the outer side of the vacuum diaphragm and a standoff bracket to retain the hose in place under the accelerator rod. The 64 does not.

Stu fox

[Joe C.]

Re: 1964: L75 vs L76

Besides the Idler Pulley (used on 365hp) on the opposite side of Alternator, other small cosmetic differences.....the 365hp has a 2 1/2" Exhaust manifolds vs. 2" on the 300hp.
Also, the 365hp has a 6qt Oil Pan vs. a 5qt (normal) on the 300hp. Because of this the 365 had no capability of having Power Steering unit.
There is also (as previously mentioned) lots of little chrome differences. ie. Oil filler tube, fuel lines, etc.....
David

Hey Steve, Stu....are you guys related?

David and Bill,

The L75 had 2" exhaust manifolds with Powerglide, and had 2 1/2" with M20.

[John H.]

Re: 1964: L75 vs L76

Here's what the L-76 idler assembly looks like; its belt is in the groove closest to the engine, and the belt in the forward groove is for the crank/water pump/alternator.

[Stuart F.]

Re: 1964: L75 vs L76

John;

I always enjoy telling the young fellows what the bosses and tapped holes on either side of the front of the block were originally for. It's surprising how few of them know that they were the original positions for the front engine mounting brackets on 55 thru 57 engines. Wow!, Chevy sure found a lot of uses for them from 1958 and beyond - so many brackets and things. I hate it too when they cover up the one tapped into the fuel pump cavity as I still have a spring loaded bolt to retain the push rod.

Stu Fox