1965 - 68 327 L79’s lifter valley oil separator canister

Built before the 1969 arrival of sealed PCV systems, the 1966 L79’s lifter valley oil separator canister feeds the road draft tube via a passageway machined into the block. If it’s clogged or missing, an oily mess results. This system allowed Corvette’s gorgeous finned rocker arm covers to remain free from ugly oil-fill caps and PCV valve orifices for so many years.

the 327 in 1966 came in a couple levels of Hp

the 250hp base 327,
the 350 hp at 5,800 rpm L79
the 365 hp at 6,200 rpm L76

But with 360 lb-ft of torque at 3,800 rpm, the L79 actually had 10 lb-ft more torque than the L76.

The L79 had a “juice” cam, shared the Corvette’s L76 forged 11.1:1 pistons, 585-cfm 4150 series Holley four-barrel, aluminum dual-plane intake manifold, enlarged 6-quart oil pan, high-flow air cleaner unit, and new-for-1963 big-port “camel hump” cylinder heads with 2.02/1.60  valves


Another L79 first was the ability to accommodate factory C60 air conditioning. By contrast, GM barred C60 A/C equipment on all Sting Rays built with solid-lifter engines. This undoubtedly torpedoed a lot of would-be sales. But thanks to a milder hydraulic cam and free-breathing heads and induction, L79 buyers could indulge in the wonders of Frigidaire—and did.

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/watch-build-dyno-test-1966-chevrolet-l79-327-v-8