1965 L78 Availablity for Chevy Models

[Larry E.]

We all know the L78 was alive and well for 1965 Corvettes. I presume
it was the engine in the Z16 Chevelle.(Correct me if I'm wrong).
Question: Was this engine available in the Chevrolet Full Size Cars?
If so did the Full Size Cars use the same Air Cleaner as the Chevelles?

Question: Would the Air Cleaner be identical to the one the 70 Camaro Z28 uses?

Thanks; Larry

[William C.]

Re: 1965 L78 Availablity for Chevy Models

'65 Pass car had a "425hp" option, with mechanical lifters. Intake and carb were similar to the Chevelle/Corvette versions, but I believe the carb was a different part number. I only saw one "back in the day" when new, a local guy had it and one interesting (non standard) thing was on thei two-week old car, if you looked at one of the valve covers in the correct lighting angle, someone at the Tonawanda plant had painted "Ford Eater" on the valve cover prior to engine paint! Imagine that showing up on a Corvette "Bowtie" candidate!

[Steve B.]

Re: 1965 L78 Availablity for Chevy Models

Larry, I believe that Impalas cames with L78s as well. As far as differences, Z16s had hydraulic lifters and more restrictive exhaust manifolds where the full sized model had the corvette manifolds.

[Chris H.]

Re: 1965 L78 Availablity for Chevy Models

Interesting thing about the '65 Impalas / Bel Airs is that 409s were available in early cars and 396s (L78s) were avalble in late cars. I've got a "Cars & Parts" magazine article (May '87) that features a '65 4-door Biscayne with an L78 and 4 speed.

[Jack H.]

Re: 1965 L78 Availablity for Chevy Models

The Corvette version of the L78 also incorporated a double journaled crank shaft to distinguish it from its passenger car bretheren...

[Larry E.]

Re: 1965 L78 Availablity for Chevy Models

Attn: Chris Hewitt
In your magazine what kinda air cleaner did the Biscayne use?
Larry

[Chris H.]

Re: 1965 L78 Availablity for Chevy Models

Larry, please see the attached photo. Chris

[Larry E.]

Re: 1965 L78 Availablity for Chevy Models

Chris:
Thanks for the nice pictures; sure does look like the Z16 and the 70Z
air cleaner. I have a extra 70Z28 original base and tried to sell it on e-bay. Was asked by potential buyer if it is the same as above and could
not answer them. I wonder if Joe Lucia could chime in here to confirm?
Larry

[Carl N.]

Re: 1965 L78 Availablity for Chevy Models

Engine options for 1965 full size Chevys

"The Impala was completely redesigned for 1965 and featured a more streamlined look, rather than the boxy look of previous years. In February, the mighty 409 was phased out and was replaced by the Mark IV 396 cid V8, which would power Chevrolets for the rest of the '60s. The new 396 could be mated to a new automatic transmission, the Turbo Hydra-matic 350. The 396 was a direct descendant of the "Daytona Mystery Engine" The 409s and 396s were available in all Impalas, including four door sedans and station wagons, but the Impala SS continued as a separate series. 1965 also saw the introduction of the Caprice option on the Impala and came standard with a V8."

Production: 239,500
Engines: (L30) 327 V8 250 bhp @ 4400 rpm, 350 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm. (L74) 327 V8 300 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 360 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm. (L35) 396 V8 325 bhp @ 4800 rpm, 410 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm. (L78) 396 V8 425 bhp @ 6400 rpm, 415 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm. (L33) 409 V8 340 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 430 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm. (L31) 409 V8 400 bhp @ 5800 rpm, 425 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm.

IMO L78 Impala Holly, Intake, Exhaust, Distributor will interchange (bolt on) with the Corvette but are not the same as those used on the Corvette.

Carl

[Jay G.]

Re: 1965 L78 Availablity for Chevy Models

Engine options for 1965 full size Chevys

"The Impala was completely redesigned for 1965 and featured a more streamlined look, rather than the boxy look of previous years. In February, the mighty 409 was phased out and was replaced by the Mark IV 396 cid V8, which would power Chevrolets for the rest of the '60s. The new 396 could be mated to a new automatic transmission, the Turbo Hydra-matic 350. The 396 was a direct descendant of the "Daytona Mystery Engine" The 409s and 396s were available in all Impalas, including four door sedans and station wagons, but the Impala SS continued as a separate series. 1965 also saw the introduction of the Caprice option on the Impala and came standard with a V8."

Production: 239,500
Engines: (L30) 327 V8 250 bhp @ 4400 rpm, 350 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm. (L74) 327 V8 300 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 360 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm. (L35) 396 V8 325 bhp @ 4800 rpm, 410 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm. (L78) 396 V8 425 bhp @ 6400 rpm, 415 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm. (L33) 409 V8 340 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 430 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm. (L31) 409 V8 400 bhp @ 5800 rpm, 425 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm.

IMO L78 Impala Holly, Intake, Exhaust, Distributor will interchange (bolt on) with the Corvette but are not the same as those used on the Corvette.

Carl

Yes, my Mother had a 65 Impala SS 396 Bucket Convertible. Dad bought for $500.00 in CT. 1970 from Simsbury Wagner Ford. With power Everything. But I think it may have been 325HP? Rarely an L-78 Engine was availble with auto, ac, pw,etc.
Well known local Racer Tutt Hall bought the car for its engine
The Frame broke in half early 80's. Digress but the BB's were avail in 65 Impalas. Never saw a L-78.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1965 L78 Availablity for Chevy Models

Chris:
Thanks for the nice pictures; sure does look like the Z16 and the 70Z
air cleaner. I have a extra 70Z28 original base and tried to sell it on e-bay. Was asked by potential buyer if it is the same as above and could
not answer them. I wonder if Joe Lucia could chime in here to confirm?
Larry

Larry-----


I can't come up with a part number for the Z-16 air cleaner. However, the 1965 passenger car L-78 air cleaner was not the same as the 1970 Z-28. They were SIMILAR in configuration, but not the same. I very much doubt that the 1965 Z-16 and the 1970 Z-28 used exactly the same air cleaner.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1965 L78 Availablity for Chevy Models

'65 Pass car had a "425hp" option, with mechanical lifters. Intake and carb were similar to the Chevelle/Corvette versions, but I believe the carb was a different part number. I only saw one "back in the day" when new, a local guy had it and one interesting (non standard) thing was on thei two-week old car, if you looked at one of the valve covers in the correct lighting angle, someone at the Tonawanda plant had painted "Ford Eater" on the valve cover prior to engine paint! Imagine that showing up on a Corvette "Bowtie" candidate!

Bill------


The carburetor was a different part number. The Corvette L-78 was a Holley 3124, aka GM #3868826. The passenger car L-78 was a Holley 3130, aka GM #3869933.

Many years ago I acquired an NOS Holley 3130. I still have it [not for sale].

[Joe L.]

Re: 1965 L78 Availablity for Chevy Models

We all know the L78 was alive and well for 1965 Corvettes. I presume
it was the engine in the Z16 Chevelle.(Correct me if I'm wrong).
Question: Was this engine available in the Chevrolet Full Size Cars?
If so did the Full Size Cars use the same Air Cleaner as the Chevelles?

Question: Would the Air Cleaner be identical to the one the 70 Camaro Z28 uses?

Thanks; Larry

Larry------


1,838 1965 full size Chevrolets with L-78 were built. That's a lot more than the 1965 Z-16 Chevelles with the hydraulic lifter version of the L-78.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1965 L78 Availablity for Chevy Models

Larry------


1,838 1965 full size Chevrolets with L-78 were built. That's a lot more than the 1965 Z-16 Chevelles with the hydraulic lifter version of the L-78.

201 Z-16 Chevelles were built according to Chevrolet.

[Jim S.]

Re: 1965 L78 Availablity for Chevy Models

I am really suprised that there were that many (1800) L78s in the big Chevrolet B-cars. That engine was only available with a manual transmission. I only saw 2 of them in 1965. One was raced by Shaker Engineering and driven by Art Noey, here in Saginaw, Michigan. They were never very successful with the 396 motor. (Having won B/Stock at the Nationals in previous years with 380 horse, single four barrel, 409s.)

I ordered a 325 horsepower Impala with a Turbohydro right when they first became available to order in February 1965. It was one of my all time favorite cruisers (along with a 1970 Toronado GT.) I never raced is seriously but I did take it to the drag strip several times. My best was 15.23 at around 93 mph. Not bad for a 3400 lb car with a 2.73 rear end, and full mufflers. I would be shifting out of 2nd gear as I went through the traps.
Jim