1966 Chevelle Engine ID Codes - Engine Pad

[ 1964 ] | [ 1965 ] | [ 1966 ] | [ 1967 ] | [ 1968 ] | [ 1969 ] | [ 1970 ] | [ 1971 ] | [ 1972 ]

Engine			Transmission	Notes
Code	Size-Carb	HP-RPO
AA	194-1	120	Manual-3	Overdrive
AC	194-1	120	Manual-3	Heavy Duty Clutch
AG	194-1	120	Manual-3	A.C.
AH	194-1	120	Manual-3	Heavy Duty Clutch/A.C.
AL	194-1	120	Powerglide
AS	194-1	120	Manual-3	Overdrive/A.I.R.
AT	194-1	120	Manual-3	A.C./A.I.R.
230 ↓
BL	230-1	140-L26	Powerglide	A.I.R.
BM	230-1	140-L26	Powerglide	A.C./A.I.R.
BN	230-1	140-L26	Manual-3	Overdrive/A.I.R.
BO	230-1	140-L26	Manual-3	A.C./A.I.R.
CA	230-1	140-L26	Manual-3	Overdrive
CB	230-1	140-L26	Manual-3	A.C.
CC	230-1	140-L26	Powerglide
CD	230-1	140-L26	Powerglide	A.C.
283 ↓
DA	283-2	195	Manual-3
DB	283-2	195	Manual-4
DE	283-2	195	Powerglide
DG	283-4	220-L77	Manual-3/4
DH	283-4	220-L77	Powerglide
DI	283-2	195	Manual-3	Overdrive/A.I.R.
DJ	283-2	195	Powerglide	A.I.R.
DK	283-2	195	Manual-4	A.I.R.
DL	283-4	220-L77	Manual-3/4	A.I.R.
DM	283-4	220-L77	Powerglide	A.I.R.
327 ↓
EA/EAH*	327-4	275-L30	Manual-3/4
EB	327-4	275-L30	Manual-3/4	A.I.R.
EC	327-4	275-L30	Powerglide	A.I.R.
EE	327-4	275-L30	Powerglide
396 ↓
EDH*	396-4	325-L35	Manual-3/4
EF	396-4	360-L34	Manual-3/4
EG	396-4	375-L78	Manual-3/4	Holley Carb/Solid Cam
EH	396-4	325-L35	Manual-3/4	A.I.R./Rochester Carb
EJ	396-4	360-L34	Manual-3/4	A.I.R.
EKH*	396-4	325-L35	Powerglide	Holley Carb
EKR	396-4	325-L35	Powerglide	Rochester Carb
EL	396-4	360-L34	Powerglide
EM	396-4	325-L35	Powerglide	A.I.R./Rochester Carb
EN	396-4	360-L34	Powerglide	A.I.R.
327 n/a ↓
EP**	327-4	350-L79	H.D. 3-speed or 4-speed
ER**	327-4	350-L79	H.D. 3-speed or 4-speed	A.I.R.
ES**	327-4	350-L79	H.D. 3-speed or 4-speed

A total of 116,551 6-cyl engines were installed; 49,608 194cid and 66,943 230cid engines.
A total of 330,813 8-cyl engines were installed; 209,338 283cid, 46,230 327cid, and 75,245 396cid engines.

There is no breakdown of engine type or size by specific series/model other than 6-cyl. vs. 8-cyl.
The 396 8-cyl engine was only available in the 13817/67 SS396 and 134/13680 El Camino.
The L35 396 cid 8-cyl engine was the base, or standard, engine in the SS396. GM reports 1,865 L35 engines ordered as options and these would have been installed in the El Camino series.

There were 3,099 375hp L78 engines installed in 1966 Super Sports and El Caminos. The L78 engine option was canceled early in 1965 and reinstated October 7, 1965. Many early Chevrolet publication materials, such as this page from an early training program booklet also listed this engine at 425hp and, oddly, the L34 (360hp) engine does not show a horsepower rating at all.

* Engine blocks may be stamped with "EK" or may be stamped with "EKH" suffix noting Holley (H) carburetor.

** Chevrolet production records show this engine in production as early as February 7, 1966 and release date in late February or early March. However, 1966 Chevrolet RPO Production Numbers show no indication of this engine being sold.

Camshaft Specifications

12/03/2010

1967 saw the first year the 396 V8 camshaft abandoned the grooved rear journal and matching bearing in the engine block in favor of a smooth journal like the 283/327 V8. Any camshaft from a 1965 or 1966 396 engine can be used in a 1967 or later block but not the other way around. This groove is clearly visible in this photo on the camshaft on the left.

Photo courtesy Bruce Testor

Note the oil groove in rear cam journal of this 396 V8 camshaft on the left. Both 1965 and 1966 396 V8 engines require this groove along with corresponding rear cam bearing. Most aftermarket camshaft manufacturers DO NOT list the 65/66 396 V8 in their catalogs due to this groove. However, any later camshaft will work if grooved and most aftermarket cam suppliers will either groove the cam for a nominal fee or send you the specifications so you can have your local machine shop perform the operation.

Want more in-depth information on 1966/1967 Chevelles? Try my 1966/1967 Chevelle Reference CD.