Early vs. Late '66 parts
I see many references to early vs. late 1966 parts. What is the cutoff for early vs. late? Is there an approx. date? Thanks.
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Big Tanks In the High Mountains of New Mexico -
Re: Early vs. Late '66 parts
I don't think there is a specific date, Michael. I thumbed through Noland's book a bit and found several references to early and late, but nothing specific as far as VINs or dates. I think many components and features are considered early and late but have to be looked at individually. Noland's survey is a good source for component use vs VIN.
Judging guide will also support the use of certain components based on a VIN range.
Tom Hendricks
Proud Member NCRS #23758
NCM Founding Member # 1143
Corvette Department Manager and
Specialist for 27 years at BUDS Chevrolet. -
Re: Early vs. Late '66 parts
Michael-the various items that were changed during the 66 production were done as up-dates were engineered and could be feasibly implemented. For example: seat belt buckles/latches on my Feb car are 65 type, but my April and July cars both have 67 type. Another example: the detent on the RH BB valve cover: my Feb car has it, but the April car does not. And, the list goes on and on, but I do not believe any one day or VIN would be the answer, but it appears these two examples occurred between Feb and April. If you have other areas or parts of interest, I would be happy to check my cars for differences.
Mike Zamora
#12455Comment
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Re: Early vs. Late '66 parts
OK, thanks for the input and info. My '66 is a mid-December '65 build date, and I need new seat belt boots for the 430 trim (green). I can only find what is called "late '66" boots in green. The early '66 was a longer boot, the late '66 was a short boot. I was hoping maybe I am close enough to the cusp that it would be OK to use those.Big Tanks In the High Mountains of New MexicoComment
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Re: Early vs. Late '66 parts
I know my old "Glen Green" '65 car had dark green boots for the retractors. You might see haot that would match what you are looking for.Bill Clupper #618Comment
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Re: Early vs. Late '66 parts
Yes, the 430 trim has the same dark green color as '65, but all the parts places I have looked only have the late '66 type boot in green, not the one used in '65 and early '66. If someone knows of a place to find early '66 or '65 green boots, let me know.Big Tanks In the High Mountains of New MexicoComment
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Re: Early vs. Late '66 parts
Have you tried Charlie Santorelli? Do an archive search, or check the "Driveline" for his ad.Bill Clupper #618Comment
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Re: Early vs. Late '66 parts
The terms 'early' and 'late' are used generically on a part by part basis to reflect running changes throughout a given model year. There's no such thing as an 'early' or 'late' car.
You go part by part to determine early vs. late and various running changes were made at different times depending on the specific part in question. Frequently, the NCRS Judging Guide book will provide guidance on what's considered 'early' vs. 'late' on those parts that did experience a running change.
Also, the AIM (Assembly Instruction Manual) lists individual parts and each page/drawing offers a Revision table documenting the changes made. BUT, you can't go specifically by the dates given in the AIM. Why?
Well, most changes were 'phased in' by the assembly plant taking care NOT to discard perfectly good/useable 'early' parts and raise the cost of production via scrap/obsolence. So, the AIM simply defines the date that design engineers authorized a given running change. Depending on on-hand inventory, the actual use of the replacement 'late' part may have occurred MUCH later...Comment
. Between the two, anything can and often did happen.
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