Very nice restored 1965 Corvette. Has a 1969 period date code engine in it now. But I have a date code correct 425hp L78 396 engine stamped with LF suffix that could go with the car for an additional charge, optional. I also have the 396 fender badges and the solid lifter 425hp tach face (brand new) if someone is interested. 

The price would be minimum $15,000 additional with the 425hp engine included, NOT installed. The 425hp big block (more correct engine for this car) had right at 160 hours labor or 4 weeks full time labor to machine, balance, blueprint, and assemble it. See the blueprint on the engine below! 

This car has power steering and power brakes, a nice optioned car for 1965. Red with silver interior, side pipes, knock-off wheels, stinger hood, 4 speed Muncie manual transmission.

If I do not sell the car in the near term, my intention is to install the 425hp L78 engine. 

ABOUT THE 425HP 396 with LF suffix stamp:

A total of 2,157 Chevrolet Corvettes were equipped with the RPO L78 396ci/425hp big-block engine in 1965. This engine option, introduced mid-year, represented a small fraction of the total 23,564 Corvettes produced that year. The production included 1,116 hard-top coupes and 1,041 convertibles

1965 396 L78 Corvette Blueprint Sheet (Rebuilt ~ Balanced & BluePrinted in 2025)

Engine Block GM Casting Number 3855962 (Special High Performance 4-BOLT MAIN)

STAMPED T0520IF)

Main Bearing clearance .0025

.002 rod bearing clearance

Genuine GM #6223 forged crankshaft .030/.030

SA Gear True roller double row timing set

Hastings Plasma Moly Ring Set

Forged Pistons GM #3881456 DOME L78 425HP 11.0:1

2350 Bobweight digitally balanced

Special Order NOS TRACO Road Race Camshaft (Made Custom for TRACO SCCA race team

Cam Specs .561/.580 112 LSA 242/254 @ .050 (.569/.587exh lift with 1.72 ratio)

.330 Int .341 Exh lobe (Before Rocker Ratio)

Cold Lash .020/.024

Genuine GM Solid Flat Tappet Lifters (With Fused on Stellite Hardened Wafer Face)

Piston to Valve Clearance >.150 Int >.100 Exh

Rod Side Clearance .018

Piston to wall .005 +/-

ring gap .024 top/.022 2nd, > .020 oil expander

Bore 4.097 +/-

Piston 4.092 +/-

Crankshaft forged #6223 3.766 stroke GM

.030/.030~Digitally Balanced in 2025 On Winona Van Norman Balance Machine

Engine Block Standard Bore (Torque Plate Honed in 2025 w/ 3rd Sunnen Stone JHU818 for Moly Ring RA Finish)

Heads GM Rectangular Port (1965 Casting Date) Used originally on 425-450hp Corvette C2)

# 3873858

2.190/1.880 21-4N Stainless valves with Bronze valve Guides (Manley/Engine Pro valves)

Undercut Stems, Hardened Tip, One Piece Forging, Hard Chrome Plated Stems

Premium True Dual Valve Spring Duplicate of GM#14097002 w/ 1.270” Coil Bind

Metal Clad High Temp Positive Valve Seals

Hardened Locks and Heat Treated 4140 Chrome Moly Steel Retainers (10 degree Super Lock)

1.900 Installed Height, 115 psi Seat pressure 335psi at full lift 1.310-1.330”

Bronze Valve Guide Clearance .00175 Intake/ .00225 Exhaust

Long Slot ZL1/L88 style Rocker Arms 1.72 Ratio, Machined Extra oil Gulls

Engine Pro HP 7/16 Rocker Studs 8740 Chrome Moly Rated to 190,000 psi tensile strength

Elgin HP Poly Locks

Melling M77 oil pump with steel pinned driveshaft


Terms: $500 deposit is non-refundable upon making offer or hitting buy it now. Selling without warranty. All sales are final. This is a restoration car, not a "survivor car". Selling with not parts options or features guaranteed as "born to" or "original" to the car. Many things get changed on these cars over 50+ years of time for various reasons such as repair, replacement, modification or otherwise. Title show mileage as exempt although odometer is showing only 75,999 and the speedo is working last I drove it. It is the purchaser's responsibility to inspect the car in person if he or she chooses to do so. This is a 60+ year old car. It is not brand new. It will show signs of use. Mileage shows as exempt on title due to age of the car. The 425hp L78 396 engine is NOT included at the current price. It would be minimum $15,000 additional to be sent in a crate along with the running diving Vette.


Period correct 350 in the car now with 1969 cast date on block--#618 block. I am willing to sell it with the small block in it or can sell it with the 425hp 396 L78. Car is believed to be originally an L79 350hp car according to the car's current tach redline and how it was represented to me when I bought it. I own engine machine shop with dyno. I could also build a engine to 350hp spec for the car or what ever a purchaser needs. Car it self came out of AZ and is real nice and cared for car. I bought it around 3 years ago. What is your preference for the car?? The 425hp motor I have for this car is correct casting number for 1965 Corvette--with #858 rect port heads and all the goodies. I have a little wiggle room on the price depending on what engine package... Also, I could come up with correct #870 block 327 1965 date code and it could be stamped correctly as a reproduction of the likely original lost engine block.