<VV> Re: 65-66 differences

Thu Dec 1 01:44:10 EST 2005

OK
Here is the little write up on the changes that occurred for the 65-66 model years. There are 117 differences/changes. If you can think of any others, let me know and I'll add them to the list.

Bigwave Dave 

Changes to 1966 model year from 1965 model year * 

Items include those first offered in the 1966 model year and items that were put into production during the transition between the 1965 and 1966 model year.  This list contains items and changes generally considered to be 1966 in nature but, many  were running changes that occurred towards the end of the 1965 model year and therefore can be found on a number of  late production 1965 Corvairs.  Also a few items were first make available later in the 1966 model year and will not be found on all 1966 models. When possible, dates for running changes are included. Dates on running changes were gathered from the 1965 and 1966 assembly  manuals.  The dates listed represent the date the changes were incorporated into the assembly manual with a revision.  I believe these dates should be viewed as a ballpark figure, give or take a week or two, on when the changes took effect. Although the changes may have actually occurred on the dates listed in the assembly manual, it appears  unlikely that GM would be so precise with running changes.  Corvairs were also produced in three different plants during the 1965 and 1966 model years, (Willow Run, Van Nuys, Oshawa).  You would do well to assume that they did not occur at precisely the same time at all three plants.

This list is as complete as possible but I'm sure I missed a few items. Feel free to drop me an email If you find any other changes to corsa at comcast.net  compiled by David Trull  11/23/2003

(1966 represented the last year for Van Nuys, California and Oshawa Canada built Corvairs, , all  subsequent Corvairs were all built at Willow Run). 

BODY

1)       New style tail light lenses (wedding band style on early 66s)

2)       New style rear lower  exhaust grill.

3)       New style trim insert for redesigned lower exhaust grill for Corsa models 

4)       No pinstriping on beltline of Corsa model.

5)       New style Monza cross 

6)       New plastic front "spoiler" lower valance

7)       New style "wide" chrome lock trim piece with blue instead of red center.

8)       Corvair script relocated from hood to front panel. (three instead of two prongs)

9)       New style standard hubcaps with new design plastic inserts

10)    New style one piece wheel well trim 

11)    Different trunk lock cylinder 

12)    Restyled thinner "look" rocker trim 

13)    Front aluminum headlight bezels have minor change. (added weep hole)

14)    Remote mirror style changed to the "1967" style ( 03/02/66)   

15)    (most 66 models had the older style which moved the entire head when adjusting)

16)    Headlight backing plate changed

17)    Sheet metal box on air inlet shelf now gone.

18)    New style rear hood emblems for  110hp emblem (new mounting holes on rear hood.

Fits newer 110hp emblem only)                                                                              

19)    New style rear hood emblems for  140hp emblem (new mounting holes on rear hood. Fits newer 140hp emblem only)

20)    New style rear hood emblems for  180hp emblem (same mounting holes as all 1965 rear hood emblems)

21)    New improved firewall mounting for steering column to improve safety

22)    Less spot welds on body

23)    New style outside rearview mirror (nonremote) 

24)    Trunk splatter paint color darker on 1966 Van Nuys built Corvairs 

25)    Gas tank strainer removed (according to GM parts catalog)

26)    Attaching screws for tunnel pan changed. (01/04/66) '65 part # 9417881  '66 part # 9421479

27)    Front hood spring retainer has 2 screws on 65's and only 1 on 66's

28)    Steel floor plugs no longer have a notch on opposing sides like the 1965 models.

29)    Lower heater hose straps mounting position changed

30)    Speedometer cable routed differently. (07/09/65) The cable is routed under the brake line on 1965 models and over the brake line on 1966 models. (See assembly manual for details)

31)    Front license plate mounting frame changed. 1965 models had only round holes to mount plate. This required a nut and bolt to install the plate. 1966 models have square holes for plastic inserts, which require only a bolt to screw into the insert.

32)    Different routing of AC lines in body.

BRAKES

33)    Front brake shoe anchor pin changed

34)    Late 1966 models have predrilled holes for dual master cylinder.

CHANGE IN FACTORY OPTIONS

35)    Quick steering option now available factory option. RPO (N44).

36)    Headrest bucket seats now available RPO (A82)

37)    Rear power antenna now available. RPO (U75) 

38)    Telescopic column without wood wheel now available RPO (N36)

39)    Hazard flasher now available factory option. RPO (V74)

40)    Shoulder harness now available factory option (after Feb 1st 1966) RPO (A85)

41)    Special performance suspension now an available factory option   RPO (F41) 

42)    Hood and Trunk auxiliary lights now available as factory RPO (Z19) pkg.

43)    Door edge guards now a factory RPO (part of the "Z19" Convenience pkg.)

44)    Manual tune radio is no longer listed as a factory RPO. (Still avail from dealer)

45)    2 spd wiper/washer no longer an option and now standard

46)    Padded dash no longer an option and now standard

47)    Backup lights no longer an option and now standard

48)    Triangular glass refill bottle no longer part of 2spd wiper/washer pkg. (This was likely a Cost saving decision due to the fact that the 2spd wiper/washer was now standard and not an extra cost option as in 1965) (Still avail from dealer)

49)    Outside rearview mirror no longer an option and now standard

50)    Rear Seatbelts no longer an option and now standard

51)    Tires changed from 6.50x13 to 7.00x13

52)    Window sticker style changed.

ELECTRICAL

53)    Brake pedal switch changed. (07/07/65) '65 part # 1993509  '66 part # 1993353

54)    + battery cable now routed through grommet in body instead of grommet in front shroud. (07/07/65)

55)    Slightly different wiring to powertop relay on framerail. See assembly manual for details.

56)    Different colors used on wiring harness  ( changed to match rest of Chevy product line)

ENGINE / ENGINE COMPARTMENT

57)    Linkage for 140hp engine changed

58)    New battery holddown  (06/04/65)

59)    New style rear engine motor mount. ( 03/04/65 )

60)    AC condenser relocated up away from engine.

61)    AC now available for 140hp models including Corsa.

62)    Receiver dryer moved from the engine compartment to the trunk 

63)    ¼ in. size bolts for rubber engine perimeter seal  (01/25/66) 1965's used 5/16in.

64)    New Style Turbo aircleaner sticker.

65)    Fuel lines on right side of 140hp models changed. (due to AC or smog pump)

66)    AIR smog pump added to California vehicles except turbocharged 180hp models.

67)    Some larger shroud bolt attaching holes on cylinder heads.

68)    Body platform code "Z" added to trim line on bodytags on Van Nuys built Corvairs. 

excluding those with optional headrests. This was added to identify Corvair platform since Van Nuys      

was producing other Chevy models now.

69)    No group 3 options on Fisher bodytag

70)    Front engine shroud changed to delete axle dipstick tube hole

71)    Fan shroud has larger attaching holes due to use of larger attaching bolts in heads.

72)    "High" mount bracket for AC now available for use on 140hp engine. Low mount bracket still used on two carb models.

73)    Different mounting location for fast idle solenoid ( Now mounted to fan  shroud)

74)    AC cars no longer use 1961-63 style air cleaner assemblies. Std late model units used

75)    Different ignition coil mounting location on 1966 AC cars vs. 1965 AC cars. (11/11/65)

76)    Different distributors "recurved" for AIR models

77)    AC rear lid mercury switch added to shut off compressor when lid is opened

78)    Transaxle oil dipstick check label in engine compartment now gone

79)    Voltage regulator mounts in different position. No longer mounted diagonally as 1965 models. Now mounts pretty much straight up and down.  

80)    Spare tire carrier assembly attached to frame rail changed. (01/07/66) Lug wrench no longer attaches to carrier and now attaches to floor shelf near jack.

81)    Clips attaching  the molded insulation to the rear hood changed. '65 part # 9775412  '66 part # 389609

82)    Front shroud engine grommet changed from 4 hole to 3 hole. (06/15/65)

83)    Special crankcase vent tube for 1965 AC cars no longer needed and deleted.

84)    Special 1965 AC oilbath aircleaner setup deleted. 1966 models do not require a special oilbath setup for AC cars.

85)    Carburetor assembly changed. New part number with jetting changes

INTERIOR

86)    New style upholstery with trim buttons and without map pockets.

87)    Wrinkled finished Corsa instrument cluster (dash)  no longer has silver striping  surrounding the dash. (08/13/65)  '65 part # 6455028 '66 part # 6457062

88)    New style horn button for sport wheel option (non-telescopic)

89)    Different style ignition switch

90)    Different ignition lock cylinder 

91)    Rear speaker grille style changed

92)    Thicker sunvisors

93)    Tire pressure warning sticker in glovebox changed

94)    Deluxe seatbelt buckles design changed

95)    Monza emblem on horn button changed

96)    Ashtrays now have a plastic "handle" that is screwed onto the front lip of the ashtray.  

97)    New face design on tissue dispenser

98)    Different style rubber floor mats

99)    Monza dashes now black instead of silver colored.

100) Shifter housing changed  (05/05/65) '65 part # 3872873  '66 part # 3872875

101)  Shifter lever changed (07/07/65) '65 part # 3872871  '66 part # 3872872

102)  Chrome Corsa shifter housing changed. (07/07/65)  "65 part # 3861871  '66 part # 3886500

STEERING / SUSPENSION

103)  New two piece steering shaft with new type coupler  (03/31/65)

104)  Steering column mast jacket different

TRANSAXLE

105)  Change to a new Saginaw transmission for both 3 and 4spds.

106)  Front strut rod bracket to transmission crossmember changed

107)  Axle halfshaft u-joint to hub bolts size enlarged on both ends.  (late '65 running change)

108)  No longer have dipstick for transaxle 

109)  Backup light switch relocated on manual trans from bottom to the side

110)  Shifter rear stabilizer bracket changed

111)  Differential case changed  (i.e. New mounting holes) to mount new style transmission.

112)  On the shifter assembly, the receiver for the ball of the shifter is a welded on stamped version, replacing the 1965 style cast piece. 

113)  Throttle rod redesigned for new manual transmission.

114)  Different longer (24 3/8" Vs 23 ¼") transmission input shaft

115)  Rear transmission crossmember redesigned for use with the new "Saginaw" transmission.

116)  Special flat metal locking piece attached to axle u-joint strap deleted. Bend up tang to lock. (08/13/65)

117)  Accelerator linkage crossbar pivot attached to transmission redesigned.