I recently read in the current 1965 JM that the second type of aluminum radiator for the L78 came into use around vin#16,200. I am looking at a L78 cpe with a vin in the high 15,000 range. It has a "436" radiator with the curved neck and a date of march 65. Is this possibly correct? I noticed that Dewitt does not list the earlier radiator in their inventory.
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Re: L78 radiator
Rob-----
I think that it's VERY possible that the 3007436 radiator came into use earlier than the JG indicates. If the radiator looks to be an original, I'd say that it is original. The Dewitts reproductions of this radiator, properly dated, would be virtually impossible to discern from an original. However, these have not been available for very long. So, if the radiator looks "old", then it may be original.
Of course, it's also possible that it was a very early replacement, manufactured in 1965. I really doubt this, though.
I think that DeWitts can make you up the early style radiator, although I don't know if they stock the item. The only difference is the neck. The early style uses the same neck as the small block 3155316 radiator. So, all they need to do is install the small block neck on the HD radiator core. I doubt that you need one of these for this car unless you (or someone) wants to make the car "non-original so that it can be 'original'".In Appreciation of John Hinckley -
Re: L78 radiator
Thanks for the information and opinion Joe. The radiator absolutely looks original,but it may have been a replacement also. Curiously it is working just fine and there are no cooling problems what so ever.Comment
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Re: L78 radiator
Rob #16120 & 17346 both came with the second design...BillComment
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Agree with Joe!!!
The AIM records the change from the early style, straight neck, radiator PN 3005936 to the later style, curved neck, radiator PN 3007436 as Feb 11th of 1965. That's VERY early in the L78 build out!
Even Noland Adams' survey data shows 15000 VIN cars (April build) with the later style radiator. My experience tells me the straight necker's stopped being used in the Feb-Mar timeframe (pre-VIN 14000 or so).
Methinks it's time to query Mr. Feit, NCRS National Team Leader for 1965 Corvettes, as to what 'new' information has surfaced to move the effective change over date back to late April when we've judged these cars for many years with VERY different ground rules...Comment
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Re: L78 radiator
Rob,
I know the radiator in my 14971 car was original when I had it and I'm pretty sure it was a 1st design, not 2nd. Anyone have the book "Corvette Restoration, State Of The Art"? (same car) I'm sure there would be a pic of the engine compt and radiator.Comment
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Disagree with myself!!!
Checking back, the text in the current 5th edition JG is unchanged from earlier revisions of the JG... The key operative in the text is APPROXIMATELY when it comes to calling out the 16200 VIN point.
Although the radiator system was redefined on AIM date 2-11-65, that simply sets the earliest point at which the curved neck successor and its mating upper rad hose could have entered production. St. Louis would have wanted to use up existing on-hand inventory of both parts and I don't know that we'll ever know EXACTLY when the old stock was depleted.
That said, I'd expect NOT to see early straight-neck radiators dated after Feb of 65 nor any later curved neck radiators dated before Feb of 65. What went in what cars built after 2/11/65 is probably a mixture of the two until the last of the original straight necks were depleted...Comment
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Re: L78 radiator
#18080 was second design.Comment
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