Air Cleaner Base for the 65 396 or 66 427

[Mike H.]

Can anyone say for sure if the air cleaner bases are the same for the 396 and 427 in 65 and 66. They seem to be very proud of them and I don't want to make a mistake if I find a correct one. Thanks Mike

[Joe L.]

Re: Air Cleaner Base for the 65 396 or 66 427

Can anyone say for sure if the air cleaner bases are the same for the 396 and 427 in 65 and 66. They seem to be very proud of them and I don't want to make a mistake if I find a correct one. Thanks Mike

Mike-----


The same air cleaner base was used for both applications-----GM #6422188. However, the 6422188 base was manufactured for MANY years and it's possible that some changes occurred over that long period.

[Jody B.]

Re: Air Cleaner Base for the 65 396 or 66 427

Mike,

The 65 & 66 big block air cleaner bases are the same. The correct bases are pricey and hard to find. The first picture is not the correct base and is often seen on a lot of 65/66 big blocks. Notice the hump right below the screen, correct bases do not have the hump. The next picture (correct base for 65/66 BB) does not have the hump below the screen.

JB

[David L.]

Re: Air Cleaner Base for the 65 396 or 66 427

I agree with Jody. The 1965-1966 BB air cleaner base does NOT have the "extra bump". The base for the 1965 (396) and 1966 (427) is listed as GM part number 6422188 used with air cleaner assembly , GM # 6421816, as shown in my 1965 Chevrolet Parts Catalog (effective May 1965) as well as my 1966 Chevrolet Parts Catalog (effective Oct. 1965).

The "extra bump" made it's debut in the 1967 model year. The air cleaner assembly for the 1967 Corvette (427 H/Per.)(exc. A.I.R., 3/2 BC) is listed as GM # 6423907 as shown in my 1967 & 1968 Chevrolet Parts Catalogs (effective April 1967 & Oct. 1967) in Gr. 3.402. In Gr. 3.406 in my 1968 parts catalog GM # 6423910 is listed as the base for the following: 65-67 Pass.,Corvette (396,427) and 67-68 Corvette w/H.D. (427) as is described as "Base Assy. (w/6421816, -3240, -3907, A/CL to hood". According to Chevrolet Parts History GM # 6422188 was replaced with GM # 6423910 in August 1967.

To confuse the issue GM # 6423910 was replaced with GM # 6422188 in November 1968. I believe that the 2 bases are the same EXCEPT for the "extra bump". I also believe that the 6422188 bases made 1968 and later have the "extra bump".

There is a similar situation with the 1966 and 1967 327 bases. The 1966 327 base does NOT have the "extra bump" while the the 1967 327 base does.

Dave

[Mike H.]

Re: Air Cleaner Base for the 65 396 or 66 427

Thanks for everyone's comments. Is there a way to tell a reproduction from the original. Long Island Corvettes has one for a 396 without the hump. There 66 427 does show a hump. Would the one for the 396 pass judging for the 65 and 66? Thanks again for everyone's help.

[David L.]

Re: Air Cleaner Base for the 65 396 or 66 427

Mike,

I avoid reproduction parts like the plague. I have never seen a reproduction 1966 327 base (without the "hump"). Paragon sells a reproduction 1966-1967 327 reproduction base which is actually a reproduction 1967 327 base. I tend to think that the 1965-1966 396/427 bases are not reproduced as well. I have never compared an original and reproduction base side by side. I tend to think that the reproduction bases might be made by the original vendor but maybe not.

I still have an original 69 Z28 air cleaner assembly in my "collection". I bought an NOS 69 Z28 air cleaner assembly back in the 1980's from my local Chevrolet dealer which I have since sold. There was a couple of very minor differences between the bases maybe because the tooling was wearing out.
Good luck in your search.

Dave

[Ronald L.]

Re: Air Cleaner Base for the 65 396 or 66 427

For the record, there is a very subtle difference from 65 to 66 often over looked. AS Mike indicated by the 80's the tools were well worn out.