1966 Build Date

[David J.]

My '66 convertible has a serial number that falls in the middle of the numbers listed for February 1966. The Body Identification Plate indicates that the car was built on March 7, 1966 (G07). I am curious about what appears to be a difference in the February serial number and the March build date.

Secondly, I am in the process of locating a new engine for the car. How do I determine which engine casting date for the block would match the serial number and build date?

I would be appreciative for some clarification on these issues. Thanks.

[Wayne M.]

Re: 1966 Build Date

My '66 convertible has a serial number that falls in the middle of the numbers listed for February 1966. The Body Identification Plate indicates that the car was built on March 7, 1966 (G07). I am curious about what appears to be a difference in the February serial number and the March build date. ...

For 1966 model year, Dow-Smith bodies, G is February; for St.Louis bodies, it's March. I suspect your body number on the trim tag is A-xxxx rather than Sxxxx.

[Steven S.]

Re: 1966 Build Date

From what I have observed on some other 66's is that a month prior to the cars build seems to show up a lot, although there are other variables to take into consideration.

Steve

[John H.]

Re: 1966 Build Date

From what I have observed on some other 66's is that a month prior to the cars build seems to show up a lot, although there are other variables to take into consideration.

Steve

Steve -

That's because there's a month difference in the 1966 body build date coding (using the same letter) between St. Louis bodies and A.O. Smith bodies. You can't use the trim tag build date as the car's final assembly date on an A.O. Smith body.

[Steven S.]

Re: 1966 Build Date

John, I was actually referring to an engine casting date vs. cars build date (I should have been more specific).

Steve

[Rich G.]

Re: 1966 Build Date

David

I assume you have an AO Smith body. My 66 St. Louis vert is F07 and is 13251. I'm curious how close your VIN is to that.

Rich G

[Joe R.]

Re: 1966 Build Date

My '66 convertible has a serial number that falls in the middle of the numbers listed for February 1966. The Body Identification Plate indicates that the car was built on March 7, 1966 (G07). I am curious about what appears to be a difference in the February serial number and the March build date.

Secondly, I am in the process of locating a new engine for the car. How do I determine which engine casting date for the block would match the serial number and build date?

I would be appreciative for some clarification on these issues. Thanks.

David,

On part two of your question, I would suggest plugging the last five digits of your VIN number into one of the online birthday calculators. There's one on this web site somewhere (my work browser is blocking access for some reason):

http://stlouisncrs.org/

You want a block casting date that fits the NCRS six month rule, no more than six months older than the car's birthday, definitely not newer. Make sure the casting number is correct, too.

Good luck,
Joe

[Rich G.]

Re: 1966 Build Date

David

If your car is a small block, you could reference my numbers on the engine.

Body build F07 St. Louis. Serial #13251 (Feb. 6,1966)

Block cast date A126 (Jan 12, 1966)

Assy stamp F01020HT ( Flint, Jan 20, 1966, 327/350 L79 Holley, 4 speed)

Casting #3858174

As posted before, judging allows up to 6 months before build date for components, but the dates have to make sense so that the cast date is before the assy date, for example.

Rich

[Terry M.]

Re: 1966 Build Date

David

If your car is a small block, you could reference my numbers on the engine.

Body build F07 St. Louis. Serial #13251 (Feb. 6,1966)

Block cast date A126 (Jan 26, 1966)

Assy stamp F01020HT ( Flint, Jan 20, 1966, 327/350 L79 Holley, 4 speed)

Casting #3858174

As posted before, judging allows up to 6 months before build date for components, but the dates have to make sense so that the cast date is before the assy date, for example.
Rich

Not to be too picky, but that cast date comes out to Jan 12, 1966, and THAT date will work much better with the assembly date you posted.

[Rich G.]

Re: 1966 Build Date

Terry

Thanks....not too picky...never too picky when there is a mistake. I read that twice before I posted it and still got it wrong.

Like my friend the carpenter says: "I cut it TWICE and it's still too short"

Rich

[Terry M.]

Re: 1966 Build Date

Like my friend the carpenter says: "I cut it TWICE and it's still too short"

Rich

LoL

I'll have to remember that one -- especially when I goof up at work. The bosses tend to take a dim view of those kinds of events and a bit of levity sometimes helps.

[Mark L.]

Re: 1966 Build Date

Dave, If you want to get an exact date you can request the GM Shipping Data Report which will also include the dealer number and name. The web site will be set up to accept requests starting October 1.

[David J.]

Re: 1966 Build Date

I want to thank everyone for their input regarding my build date question. As always, I am amazed at the wealth of knowledge available from members.

Dave