66-68 Big Block Radiator Tanks

[Thomas D.]

I have just finished the tooling to manufacturer "complete" correct copper brass radiators for the 66-68 big block cars. 3008567 The radiators will have our restoration copper core, two brand new brass tanks, the embossed warnings "fill cold" and the Harrison Logo. The top channel will of course feature the dimple and the correct cut outs. We are not drilling the round holes for 67's, this can be done by the customer. The right hand (pass. side) tank features the "production" version rib pattern and is dedicated to a manual transmission car. Our research on this project was done over several years of collecting original samples, recoring radiators for customers, and the original GM blue prints. I have both the assembly drawings and the tank drawings and have concluded that there were (3) three different tanks made for this application. (1) manual (2) automatic (3)universal While all three tanks will work, I feel the #1 tank should be considered "correct" for all manual transmission cars and that version #3 is a replacement service part. I would appreciate any feedback on this. There is a link to view them below.

http://www.dewitts.com/pages/productdetail.asp?ProdID=293

[Joe L.]

Re: 66-68 Big Block Radiator Tanks

Tom-------

Now, this is a development that I think a lot of 66-68 Corvette owners are going to be glad to see.

There were definitely 2 different original radiators, but I didn't realize that there was a 3rd. The original manual transmission radiator was GM #3008567, as you noted. This version has no fittings for the transmission oil cooler.

The 2nd was GM #3008566. This one does have the transmission oil cooler fittings. The fittings were on the rear of the right side tank. I presume that's the version shown in the center of your photo, since I can't see the rear of the tanks.

I'm a little unclear about the version on the right side of the photo. This version obviously has openings on the side of the left tank. Are these in addition to fittings on the rear of the right tank or are they in place of the fittings on the right tank? I was unaware that later SERVICE examples of the 3008566 had the left side fittings or dual fittings, but they may have. Certainly, the original radiators used in PRODUCTION didn't have this.

It's also possible that the unit shown on the right of the picture is the GM #52481554 which is a Delco replacement for the 3008566 sold during the last 5 years, or so. I don't think that this unit had the "Harrison" embossment on the right side tank.

[Craig S.]

Re: 66-68 Big Block Radiator Tanks

Tom - this is great news! You sure provide outstanding products, I can't say enough about the 67 al radiator I have from you, now my 66 L72 BB project will have a source when I need a new radiator!..Craig

[Bryan L.]

Re: 66-68 Big Block Radiator Tanks

I'll echo Craig's remarks. The 67 radiator you made for me a year or so ago with the NOS tanks is a work of art. I feel like I should hang it on a wall somewhere instead of bolting it in a car. In a world where fewer and fewer people (vendors)seem to care about their work, it's obvious that you do.

BL

[Thomas D.]

Re: 66-68 Big Block Radiator Tanks

Joe,

The view we have of the three tanks, is what I call the "rear" or the engine side. The side with the "Harrison" Logo is the "side" or "end" and they are lying on the front, as in "front of car". The tank on the far right is the automatic and the holes are for the cooler. The one on the left is what we are making. The one in the middle is the mistery.