1966 factory engine options

HotRod777 · Mar 21, 2019

Can any shed some light on the engine options for 1966 Coronet's?
Not counting the Hemi, what was the largest wedge offered in 1966?
Was it still the single 4brl 426 street wedge? (painted turquoise with the big pie-crust un-silenced air cleaner and log manifolds?)
Or
Did the 440 appear that year also painted turquoise with log manifolds and a duel snorkel air cleaner?

Some charts have build numbers for 426 wedge's but I also have a shop manual that shows a 350hp 440 as an option... possible mid-year switch?

The reason I'm asking is because I have a 66 with a slant that I will be big-blocking next winter. I want to start gathering parts and I'm not sure if I want to go 383 or 440...
I'm not trying to clone anything, it'll be more of an homage to whatever the biggest wedge was that you could order was. I'm planing a mostly stock build, keeping it plain and simple, but want to engine to be a correct option for the car.

JimCoronette · Mar 21, 2019

383 was the biggest wedge in a 66 b body.

rod440 · Mar 21, 2019

Did Mr Norm's GSD have some RB Coronets built in 1966?

66Satellite47 · Mar 22, 2019

My '66 service manual still has the 426 wedge info. The transition to 440 seems to have started mid year (Charger as I recall). The experts can tell you.

mtbase · Mar 22, 2019

Aside from the 426 option, my info says that the 383 was the largest. I have the 361 big block...last year for that engine in a car, but it is the same block and crank as a 383 ( 1/8" smaller bore), that engine came through with a 2bbl. 67 had an available 383 with a 2bbl.
You will need to change out the "K" member, so keep your eyes open for one of those

YY1 · Mar 22, 2019

440 was "only" available in Chryslers and (I think) C body cars in 1966.

The FSM for 1966 has an error in the engine VIN codes section.

The correct info is-

The 361 2 barrel was available- VIN code "F"

The 383 4 barrel was next with VIN code "G"

Then the Hemi- "H"

No 426 wedge in 1966.

The 383 2 barrel did not appear in the Coronet lineup until 1967, when the 361 was dropped.

pbiggs · Mar 22, 2019

Interesting note regarding the letter "G" VIN for a 1966 vehicle. The "G" only indicates the vehicle has a 383 CID engine, not the carburetor type.
"G" could be either a 2 or 4 barrel carburetor engine.

YY1 · Mar 22, 2019

Nope- no 2 barrel 383 available in a B body in 1966.

pbiggs · Mar 22, 2019

YY1 said:
Nope- no 2 barrel 383 available in a B body in 1966.

You are correct that for only 66 B body cars, a "G" VIN would be a 383/4 barrel engine. However my post correctly states that in 1966, a "G" VIN indicates only a 383 CID engine. A 66 Plymouth Fury, Dodge Polara or Chrysler with "G" code could be either a 2 or 4 barrel. Only way to tell is by looking at the fender tag or build sheet. "61" = 2 barrel "62" = 4 barrel

YY1 · Mar 22, 2019

OP is asking about Coronets

mtbase · Mar 22, 2019

YY1 said:
Nope- no 2 barrel 383 available in a B body in 1966.

Agreed!
383 2bbl was 67

1966satellite · Mar 24, 2019

I have a sales brochure for the 66 Plymouth that shows 170 and 225 slant six, 273-2bbl, 273 4bbl,318, 361, 383 2 bbl, 383 4bbl and 440 available but only the 225, 273 2bbl,318,361,and 383 4bbl available for the Belvedere. The 440 was only available in the VIP and the Fury. I assume that the Dodge b bodies had the same options. The Operating Instructions for my 66 Satellite shows 225, 273 2 bbl,318,361 383 4 bbl and 426 Hemi engines available. A friend of mine bought a 66 Satellite with the 426 Hemi in 1966.

1966 factory engine options

HotRod777

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rod440

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mtbase

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YY1

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