Intake Manifold Help

[Mike L.]

A friend of mine just purchased a Big Block intate manifold, nothing strange about that, except it's for a 1965 Vette. The date on the under side is 12-29-64, square port heads,it's like NEW, But the casting number on the up side looks like one I have never seen. The number is 3866963, But the nubers 96 are casted in a small rectangle, all on the same line. The rectangle looks as thuogh it was from the foundry. I thought that 1965 B/B came much later in the production run. Any help?????

[Michael W.]

Re: Intake Manifold Help

This intake was used on Chevelles and other cars with 396

[Michael H.]

Re: Intake Manifold Help

A friend of mine just purchased a Big Block intate manifold, nothing strange about that, except it's for a 1965 Vette. The date on the under side is 12-29-64, square port heads,it's like NEW, But the casting number on the up side looks like one I have never seen. The number is 3866963, But the nubers 96 are casted in a small rectangle, all on the same line. The rectangle looks as thuogh it was from the foundry. I thought that 1965 B/B came much later in the production run. Any help?????

I've seen a few just like the one you described Mike. Parts like the manifold casting mentioned could have been cast months before the actual introduction or use on the engine assy line, especially for a brand new engine like the 396. In this case, the date is probably about two months before these engines began assembly.

[Pancho T.]

Re: Intake Manifold Help

I have just as you described dated 12/24/64.I have been told that the Z16 Chevelle actually came out in very late Jan. 1965 and that this is what it was proably used on then later on the Vette

[Dave S.]

Re: Intake Manifold Help

Thanks to the archives I found this thread. I am assisting a new member to prepare his 396 convertable for flight judging. VIN is 22510 w/ an L08 build. The car is very correct but has this 3866983 manifold with the raised square as Mike describes. It also has a 12-24-64 casting date as mentioned above. I'm thinking this manifold is correct for the car and hate to change it to the "judging correct" 3866983 manifold. Can any of you 396 garu's explain this.????
Any help would be appreciated.

[William C.]

Re: Intake Manifold Help

I'm not a 396 "expert" but I'd be inclined to give it credit if I were judging the car.

[Pancho T.]

Re: Intake Manifold Help

Thanks to the archives I found this thread. I am assisting a new member to prepare his 396 convertable for flight judging. VIN is 22510 w/ an L08 build. The car is very correct but has this 3866983 manifold with the raised square as Mike describes. It also has a 12-24-64 casting date as mentioned above. I'm thinking this manifold is correct for the car and hate to change it to the "judging correct" 3866983 manifold. Can any of you 396 garu's explain this.????
Any help would be appreciated.

Do you mean 3866963 intake? If so I agree with Bill

[Joe L.]

Re: Intake Manifold Help

A friend of mine just purchased a Big Block intate manifold, nothing strange about that, except it's for a 1965 Vette. The date on the under side is 12-29-64, square port heads,it's like NEW, But the casting number on the up side looks like one I have never seen. The number is 3866963, But the nubers 96 are casted in a small rectangle, all on the same line. The rectangle looks as thuogh it was from the foundry. I thought that 1965 B/B came much later in the production run. Any help?????

Mike------


I'm VERY confident that it's original. This sort of casting variation is well within the range of what can occur. Keep in mind that these manifolds were cast by Winters Foundry in Canton, OH. I feel quite sure that they would have been casting them up well in advance of the release date of the 396 option. Some may even have been essentially cast as "prototypes" but if they met PRODUCTION standards, why not use them? Very early pieces are even more prone to have casting "variations".