1965 Chevelle Z-16 camshaft questions...

bill dedman · 12-15-2010, 04:47 AM

As most of you know, in 1965 Chevrolet sold about 200 "special" 'Z-16' Chevelles that had some cosmetic features that regular Chevelles (even the S/S badged cars) didn't have.

Another thing all these Z-16s had was a 396 engine rated at 375 horsepower. The new, high performance big block (also 396) Corvette engine of that year was rated at 425 horsepower.

Here's where it gets confusing. In 1966, the previous year's 425/396 hp engine was stuffed into the Chevelle (with some minor changes) and was now rated at 375 horsepower (at a lower rpm than the 425 hp 1965 Corvette engine), ostensibly, for insurance purposes.

The question I have for anyone who knows the answer, is this: Is the NHRA Engine Blueprint Guide information for 1965 Chevrolet engines that shows a hydraulic lifter engine with less valve lift than the 425hp engine, the specs for the engine that went into the Z-16 Chevelles that year? That engine was rated by Chevrolet at 375 hp in 1965.

Is it true that the Z-16 Chevelles really DID have a hydraulic lifter cam, and that, that one year only engine was NOT the 1966 375 hp motor? That's what the NHRA information says.

I seemed to remember some magazine articles about that car, when it hit the streets, mentioning the (alleged) fact that it had a hydraulic lifter cam in it, but I've slept since then....

Anybody have the straight scoop on this confusing situation???

Any information about this will be appreciated!

12-15-2010, 04:47 AM	#1
bill dedman VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Conway, AR Posts: 1,739 Likes: 0 Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts	1965 Chevelle Z-16 camshaft questions... As most of you know, in 1965 Chevrolet sold about 200 "special" 'Z-16' Chevelles that had some cosmetic features that regular Chevelles (even the S/S badged cars) didn't have. Another thing all these Z-16s had was a 396 engine rated at 375 horsepower. The new, high performance big block (also 396) Corvette engine of that year was rated at 425 horsepower. Here's where it gets confusing. In 1966, the previous year's 425/396 hp engine was stuffed into the Chevelle (with some minor changes) and was now rated at 375 horsepower (at a lower rpm than the 425 hp 1965 Corvette engine), ostensibly, for insurance purposes. The question I have for anyone who knows the answer, is this: Is the NHRA Engine Blueprint Guide information for 1965 Chevrolet engines that shows a hydraulic lifter engine with less valve lift than the 425hp engine, the specs for the engine that went into the Z-16 Chevelles that year? That engine was rated by Chevrolet at 375 hp in 1965. Is it true that the Z-16 Chevelles really DID have a hydraulic lifter cam, and that, that one year only engine was NOT the 1966 375 hp motor? That's what the NHRA information says. I seemed to remember some magazine articles about that car, when it hit the streets, mentioning the (alleged) fact that it had a hydraulic lifter cam in it, but I've slept since then.... Anybody have the straight scoop on this confusing situation??? Any information about this will be appreciated! __________________ Bill Last edited by bill dedman; 12-15-2010 at 04:50 AM.