'69 replacement radiator

[Robert F.]

Need a replacement radiator for a '69, 350/350, M/T, in copper/brass, 18.5" core. Any suggestions?

[Joe L.]

Re: '69 replacement radiator

Bob-----

If you have an 18-1/2" core radiator of copper/brass construction, then you have an aftermarket replacement for an original aluminum radiator, GM #3155316. Perhaps it's worked ok for you, but I do not recommend using these copper/brass replacements. My strong recommednation to you is to obtain a correct reproduction aluminum radiator from DeWitts. Yes, they are expensive (about $700 versus about $300 for a copper/brass replacement), but they will cool a lot better and they will have the correct configuration.

The 69 L-46 was one of the few Corvette applications that were ever built with 2 different radiators. Some were built with the GM #3155316 aluminum radiator. If your car has the 18-1/2" copper brass unit in it now, then it was built with the 3155316 aluminum radiator. It's easy to tell because this application used an external radiator supply tank mounted on the passenger side fender well.

The other way that 1969 L-46 were built was with a copper/brass radiator but with a 26" core width. This radiator did not use an external supply tank and had an integral filler neck on the passenger side radiator tank. This radiator is not currently reproduced and can be difficult to locate. However, DeWitts does offer a "direct fit" aluminum replacement for this radiator which is generally configured like the original. It has WAY more cooling capacity, though. This is what I recommend for folks needing a replacement for the 69-72 copper/brass small block radiator and not insisting on exact original configuration.

[Robert F.]

Re: '69 replacement radiator

Joe,
Thank you for your quick response.

[Joe L.]

Re: '69 replacement radiator

Bob-----

Does the car have the passenger side aluminum supply tank and approximately when was the car built?

[Jack H.]

If...

the car was originally A/C or AT equipped, it would have gotten a factory brass radiator vs. the small Harrison aluminum...

[Robert F.]

Re: '69 replacement radiator

Joe,
The car does have the passenger side aluminum supply tank, but I'm not sure of the build date. The car belongs to a friend and he has it in storage. We'll have to get out to the storage facility over the next few days and get the VIN # and check the build date. Thanks

[Joe L.]

Re: '69 replacement radiator

Bob-----

The passenger side aluminum supply tank virtually guarantees that the car was originally built with the aluminum radiator (or, it was originally a big block car with big block copper/brass radiator that was converted to L-46, as "likely" as that is).

The reason that I'm curious is that I believe, as a general rule, 1969 L-46 originally equipped with the aluminum radiator were built earlier in the year and those with the copper brass were built later in the year. I'm curious to see if this car fits that "general rule".