1966 Pontiac Tempest
The successful LeMans/Tempest saw relatively little change for 1966

1966 Pontiac Tempest

The successful LeMans/Tempest saw relatively little change for 1966 with the exception of smoother contours, including hopped-up "Coke-bottle" rear fenders and, on coupes and hardtops, "flying buttress" rear roof pillars astride recessed backlights. The Sprint package was available to order on Tempest, Tempest Custom or LeMans. Along with a bigger 6 cylinder engine featuring 207hp and a Quadrajet 4-bbl, the package comes with a chromed low-restriction air cleaner, dressy cam cover, synchro 3-speed with a Hurst floor shifter, sports striping and special emblems.    

1966 Pontiac Tempest Specifications & Production Numbers

Model Number Body/Style Number Body Type & Seating Factory Price Shipping Weight Total Production
Tempest Series
233 69 4d Sedan - 6P $2,331 3,075 lbs 17,392
233 07 2d Coupe - 6P $2,278 3,040 lbs 22,266
233 35 4d Station Wagon - 6P $2,624 3,340 lbs 4,095
Tempest Custom
235 69 4d Sedan - 6P $2,415 3,100 lbs 23,988
235 39 4d Hardtop - 6P $2,547 3,195 lbs 10,996
235 07 2d Coupe - 6P $2,362 3,060 lbs 17,182
235 17 2d Hardtop - 6P $2,426 3,075 lbs 31,322
235 67 2d Convertible - 6P $2,655 3,170 lbs 5,557
235 35 4d Station Wagon - 6P $2,709 3,355 lbs 7,614
Tempest LeMans
237 39 4d Hardtop - 6P $2,701 3,195 lbs 13,891
237 07 2d Coupe - 6P $2,505 3,090 lbs 16,654
237 17 2d Hardtop - 6P $2,568 3,125 lbs 78,109
237 67 4d Station Wagon - 6P $2,806 3,220 lbs 13,080
Tempest GTO
242 07 2d Coupe - 5P $2,783 3,445 lbs 10,363
242 17 2d Hardtop - 5P $2,847 3,465 lbs 73,785
242 67 2d Convertible - 5P $3,082 3,555 lbs 12,798

Chassis Data

Model Wheelbase Overall Length Front Tread Rear Tread Tires
Tempest 115 in 206.4 in 58 in 58 in 6.95 x 14 (Hardtop & Convertible - 7.65 x 14)
Tempest Safari 115 in 203.6 in 58 in 58 in 6.95 x 14

1966 Pontiac Engine Data

Location Of Engine Code: (Six-Cyl) - On cylinder head-to-block contact surface behind oil filter pipe. (V8) - Stamped on right front side of block or beneath production engine number on machined pad on right hand bank of engine block.
Letter Code Engine Horsepower Torque Transmission Carburetor
WA 8-389 256 388 Manual 2 BC
WB 8-389 256 388 Manual 2 BC
WC 8-389 290 418 Manual 2 BC
WE 8-389 333 429 Manual 4 BC
WG 8-421 338 459 Manual 4 BC
WH 8-421 356 459 Manual 3 - 2 BC
WJ 8-421 376 461 Manual 3 - 2 BC
WK 8-421 338 459 Manual 4 BC
XA 8-389 260 388 Manual 2 BC
XB 8-389 260 388 Turbo Hydra-Matic 2 BC
XC 8-389 293 418 Turbo Hydra-Matic 2 BC
YA 8-389 256 388 Turbo Hydra-Matic 2 BC
YC 8-389 290 418 Turbo Hydra-Matic 2 BC
YD 8-389 290 418 Turbo Hydra-Matic 2 BC
YE 8-389 325 429 Turbo Hydra-Matic 4 BC
YF 8-421 338 459 Turbo Hydra-Matic 4 BC
YH 8-421 338 459 Turbo Hydra-Matic 4 BC
YJ 8-421 356 459 Turbo Hydra-Matic 3 - 2 BC
YK 8-421 376 461 Turbo Hydra-Matic 3 - 2 BC
YL 8-389 333 429 Turbo Hydra-Matic 4 BC
YM 8-421 375 461 Turbo Hydra-Matic 3 - 2 BC
YT 8-421 338 459 Turbo Hydra-Matic 4 BC
YU 8-389 290 418 Turbo Hydra-Matic 2 BC
YV 8-389 290 418 Turbo Hydra-Matic 2 BC
YW 8-389 325 429 Turbo Hydra-Matic 4 BC
YX 8-389 325 429 Turbo Hydra-Matic 4 BC
YZ 8-421 338 459 Turbo Hydra-Matic 4 BC

Transmission Codes

Transmission Location
Turbo Hydra-Matic 350 Stamped on servo cover on right side of transmission.
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 On metal tag fastened to right side of transmission case or on the left side of converter housing.
Powerglide Stamped on a metal tag located on the right side of the transmission.
Super Turbine 300 (TempesTorque) On metal tag fastened to right side of transmission case or stamped on lower servo cover.
Jetway On metal tag fastened to right side of transmission case or stamped on lower servo cover.
3-Speed Painted or stamped on the transmission case.
4-Speed Painted or stamped on the transmission case.
Plant and Type Designation Prefix Transmission Type
LA TempesTorque
LB TempesTorque
MA TempesTorque
MB TempesTorque
MC TempesTorque
NA TempesTorque
PA Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
PB Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
PC Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
PD Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
PG Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
PH Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
PQ Turbo Hydra-Matic 400

Axle Codes

Location Of Axle Codes: On flange end of axle shaft and on or near carrier.
Color - Non-Locking Color - Locking Ratio
UB VB 2.41
UC VC 2.56
UD VD 2.73
UE VE 2.93
UF VF 3.08
UG VG 3.23
UH VH 3.42
UJ VJ 3.55
UK VK 3.73
UM VM 4.11

1966 Pontiac Owner's Manual

   
Related Reading
Like this article? You might also enjoy these related articles.
OldRide Marketplace
Check out Pontiac items for sale in the OldRide Marketplace.