C2 - 1963 Rad Support

[Sydney G.]

Hello,
I have replaced the incorrect radiator support (was F.I. replacement type) with what I hope is the correct unit for a 1963 300 HP non A/C car.
The unit that I took out of my car had an oval hole, (about 2-3 inches) on the right side about half way up, for what I think was for the routing of the horn wires.
My supposed correct unit does not have this opening.

For 1963, should the horn wires be routed with the S clips along the bottom of the support? What is the oval hole on the FI unit for?
How should I correctly install the horn wires?

Thanks!

Syd

[Tom D.]

Re: C2 - 1963 Rad Support

Syd: The oval hole is for the FI Air Cleaner input hose, but it is larger than 2-3 inches.

I'll have to go outside to look at the wires - Mine is only 250 HP.

Tom D.
Michigan Chapter




MichiganNCRS.org

[Michael H.]

Re: C2 - 1963 Rad Support

Syd,

The oval shaped hole would be for Power Glide oil cooler lines. At S.O.P. 63, no coolers were used so no hole will be found on any core supports but starting some time near mid 63 production, coolers were added and the standard (NON FI) support was replaced with a support that had the oval shaped hole. The 63 only FI support without the hole continued to the end of 63 production because there would have been no need for cooler lines on any FI car.

I don't remember the exact time in production that this change took place but if you have an early car, the support that you have without the hole would be correct.

Michael

[Sydney G.]

Re: C2 - 1963 Rad Support

Thank you for your responses Tom and Michael.
Tom, I do not mean the large oval hole on the upper left side of the support. The rad support that was in my car (from at least the early eighties) seems to have been either an original FI support or the "universal replacement" unit. It has a small oval hole on the right side about 2/3 the way up.

Michael or Tom, would you know if the horn wires were in fact routed along the bottom of the support as I suspect? My car is mid production serial 15,240.

Thank you again!
Syd

[Michael H.]

Re: C2 - 1963 Rad Support

Syd,

I should have also mentioned that all 64-65 small block core supports, including the FI support and all service replacements, would have had the small oval opening for the cooler lines.

I would have to guess that by the time of your 15,240 build, all 63 non FI core supports had the oval cooler line hole. If I remember correctly, the hole and cooler was added several months prior to that time.

You are correct on the horn wire. It runs along the bottom of the support and is held in place with two (?) metal clips.

Michael

[Bob R.]

Re: C2 - 1963 Rad Support

My car is number 15138 and has the oval hole you are talking about. It also has a powerglide transmission with the cooler. The cooler lines run through the hole. 15138 has always been considered a late 63 as it was built in May. The horn wire does run along the bottom of the support and is held in place with 2 clips.

[Sydney G.]

Re: C2 - 1963 Rad Support

Thanks guys!
I thought that I had finaly found the correct core support for my car after searching for a very long time. Should I be concerned in the future in regards to judging?
Thanks for the info about the horn wires!

Syd

[Michael H.]

Re: C2 - 1963 Rad Support

I don't have the records handy but I believe the change actually happened on the line before January 63. If someone has an AIM handy, it should also give some date that the change was to occur, at least on paper. Reality on the line may have been a different story tho, as far as when the addition of the cooler actually happened.

All of my documentation is boxed and stored while my new roof is finally being installed from last years hurricane(s). Have to hurry because this years hurricane season starts in just a few weeks.