63 to 65 FI radiator support

[mike cobine]

Can anyone tell me if the original factory core support for the FI cars had the four screw holes for the block off plate? I can't see why they would, although I can see why the service part would since it was used in FI and non-FI cars.

What prompted this is a '63 conv on ebay that shows the support as proof of FI and I noticed the screw holes.




FI support

[Joe L.]

Re: 63 to 65 FI radiator support

Mike-----

I don't know of any "block-off" plate that was ever used with the FI support. PRODUCTION non-FI cars never got the FI support, so no plate was ever used in a PRODUCTION car. SERVICE supports, which were "consolidated" into just a few part numbers in which the FI support serviced other engine applications, were, to my knowledge, not supplied with a block-off plate. The screw holes were for mounting the forward section of the FI air cleaner duct to the the support.

I did notice in the picture that the car has one of those copper-brass replacement radiators. Doesn't seem quite right for a "high buck" car like a 63 FI. The first thing that the new owner should do is replace that thing with a new DeWitts aluminum reproduction.

[Wayne M.]

Re: 63 to 65 FI radiator support

Mike -- I second Joe (never heard of a block-off plate). A real test if it's a '63-only support is to have a picture taken of the lower FRONT (area where horns mount), as there is a raised channel present on ALL '63's that was never available in service. Should also check for evidence of thread marks in the 4 holes (ie. was an S-tube ever mounted ?), just like the side exhaust "thread" check for grounding straps evidence on the frame X-member.

[Mike McKown]

Re: 63 to 65 FI radiator support

I can't make out any air cleaner mounting holes in the left fender apron.

[Joe R.]

Re: 63 to 65 FI radiator support

Mike,

You might want to consider that this 63 FI car has power steering. Even though power steering can be added to any vette (with the right oilpan in place) it would not have come from the factory with FI and PS.

If you can get pics of the PS pump and it has a 63 cap you might want to consider some other 63. The owner could have found a 63 PS setup but the odds are going the other way at this point.

Also consider that the 64-65 radiator support was available for years and could be what is in this 63. As mentioned above, you need to see the bottom front of the radiator support to know it is a 63.

Regards,

JR

[mike cobine]

thanks all

I wasn't really interested in the car, just looking at the ad and noticed the support. I remember several and they usually had a more or less square plate that covered them. It could be that the owners had just installed a plate so that the air passed through the radiator to help with cooling rather than through the FI hole.

I notices several items wrong with it to make one question the car. Beside the obvious '65 300 hp in it, the horn relay, the alternator on left, the radiator replacement, the '66 up left inner fender panel for a SBC, and the fan shroud doesn't look right. The alternator bracket looks like it has a bend,so it is a non-Corvette bracket and mounted to the front rather than behind the mounting tab of the alternator.

I suspect it was a wreck years ago, repaired with the nose of another, and probably had a service support installed, which has now been mistakened to "verify" the car was a fuellie.