When a 66 is a 65

[Terry L.]

Hi, I have a 66 that was built in Oct of 65. I have found some things that were used in 65 but not in 66. Should I change then to what the book says a 66 should have or go with the way the car was built. The two things that come to mind are the AC compressor decal and the jack and I am sure there will be more. One more thing the bolt that holds the balancer on is that painted engine color? Thanks for your help.

[Terry D.]

Re: When a 66 is a 65

Terry
I am assuming you are talking about getting the car Judged? If not what does it matter, if so then you need to do what the Judging Manual says as that is how the car will be judged.
Terry

[Chuck S.]

Re: When a 66 is a 65

A wise team leader once taught me a valuable lesson...very early or very late cars can have previous year or next year parts on them.

As the production year drew to a close, material management would attempt to estimate total vehicle production and order inventory accordingly. Sometimes, they would come up a little short or a little long. They didn't just throw parts away if they had too many...they used them on the next years production if the parts were identical except for a label color. On a very early 66, I wouldn't be too surprised to find parts dated for a very late 65.

If you're certain the parts came on the car, I wouldn't go changing them just to match a judging guide that has to be written to cover MOST of the cars in a year class. Experienced, knowledgeable judges should know this happened; if you receive deducts for them, you can draw your own conclusion about the judging competence...the hit isn't going to justify changing your car's originality. JMHO

I pretty sure the center bolt for the torsion damper should not be painted; not just for your car, but in general. This is what I observed on my 70, and the 70 AIM shows part numbers for the center bolt and washers. The 66 AIM should confirm this. The reason would have been installation of the accessory drive pulley in St. Louis. If a painted center bolt came with the engine, it would have been discarded, and a new bolt and washer(s) used to install the drive pulley.

[Peter L.]

Re: When a 66 is a 65

Terry - Chuck is right on. In fact you should know that the 66 National Team Leader and members of his team are very aware of the fact that early 66s had 1965 components.

But, it's your car and you can prep it for judging as you want; but at the same time please note that if there are know cases or situations of specific 65 parts on early 66s, you might end up losing points by changing the part rather than "gain" points or not by changing the part.

On the other hand, I personally like "originality." So if there's a '65 part on the car and you have no reason to believe it's not an original part, I'd document it and leave it and if necessary present your case and discuss the situation with the judge and/or Team Leader.

Have fun. Pete

[Mike B.]

Re: When a 66 is a 65

Hi Terry,

Pete and Chuck nailed it. My '66 was molested a fair bit by "Bubba" back in the '70s and it's been an enjoyable, although frustrating journey through the years researching the original parts applications on my car. Having had someone tamper with her originality, when I'm convinced that a part is original, I won't change it just to satisfy a standard that applies to the entire year. I'd bet the judges know just about all the changes through the production year and hopefully are reasonable men. I'll find out when it's my turn on the receiving end.

Noland Adams mentions several running changes to the '66 model. I refer to his and others info on this subject as well as paying close attention to the Assembly Manual numbered notes at the bottom of each page. When a part number changes, info is posted as well as the effective date of the change. Mr. Adams mentions that there was usually a time lag from engineering vs. when the guys on the assembly line actually began using the new stock. All very helpful when researching my '66. The challenge has always been finding out what's the difference between the new and the old parts.

If I strongly felt any configuration on my car was original, I wouldn't change it.

Mike '65, '66

[Terry L.]

Re: When a 66 is a 65

Thanks to all for your input.

[Bruce B.]

Re: When a 66 is a 65

I have an early 57 which has a number of 56 parts on it.
When I restored it I did it as is came from the factory with the 56 parts.
Judging Manual or not I believe the purpose is for the car to be as when it came off the assembly line.
There was no Judging Manual on the seat at that time...

[John H.]

Re: When a 66 is a 65

One more thing the bolt that holds the balancer on is that painted engine color?

Terry -

The balancer bolt was installed at St. Louis, after installing the crank pulley; it should not show any sign of engine orange paint.

[Twan B.]

Re: When a 66 is a 65

On my '65 SB no air, "and never been an ac car" the LH vent door is ok but my RH vent door is an ac door it looks like it was always been there and i do not see any repairs, I suppose it is like Chuck's story.

Gr, Twan

[Tony S.]

Re: When a 66 is a 65

Terry. As for your jack, the undated Type III jack was introduced as the production jack in the Spring of '65. It remained in production until January, 1967 when the Type III jack began being dated. Therefore, your '65 jack (assuming that it's a Type III) should be exactly the same from Spring 1965 through December, 1967.

Enjoy the hunt.
Tony

[Tony S.]

Correction

correction, the undated Type III jack remained the same from Spring, '65 through December, 1966.

[Jim C.]

Re: When a 66 is a 65

Or when is a 66 a 67? I wonder if a VERY late 1966 could have a cylinder case with a 1967 casting number???

[Tracy C.]

Re: When a 66 is a 65

Deleted...

[Jim C.]

Re: When a 66 is a 65

Yeah Tracy, I probably would have debated you on that one.

[Tracy C.]

Re: When a 66 is a 65

My feeble brain jumped to "casting date", when I gathered from another thread on the topic you were speaking of the part number on the case.

tc