C1 '62 - Gambling on a 3150916 radiator ??

[Richard M.]

Early '62, I'd need stamped label correct?

So I'm thinnnnnking of a new one. I see the model 944 at Dewitts site has a nice description, but if I'm considering forking over a big sum for a new one, it better be right! My 62 is #00483, built apx Sep 6, 1961, engine assy F0828RC 250hp cast H261.

I learned by the spec guide and JM that 61L/62 radiators were not stamped on the top left with part# and date, correct?. There's supposed to be a screwed on(scarey thought) aluminum plate on the right with the part# stamped and a date code to the right. I see a example in the spec guide(61K). I think mine would need to be "61H" for August 1961 correct? Does Dewitts supply these plates with the radiator? If so, and I decide to get one is 61H right for this car? Since it's a early 62 should it be painted black or would it fall into the "61 unpainted" era? Also, being early would the top inlet casting have the "square boss" or not?

Who would know all this stuff? How can I be sure? There are lots of oddities on this early car that others have told me, like unpainted rocker mouldings, etc.

Rich

[Richard M.]

Early '62, I'd need stamped label correct?

So I'm thinnnnnking of a new one. I see the model 944 at Dewitts site has a nice description, but if I'm considering forking over a big sum for a new one, it better be right! My 62 is #00483, built apx Sep 6, 1961, engine assy F0828RC 250hp cast H261.

I learned by the spec guide and JM that 61L/62 radiators were not stamped on the top left with part# and date, correct?. There's supposed to be a screwed on(scarey thought) aluminum plate on the right with the part# stamped and a date code to the right. I see a example in the spec guide(61K). I think mine would need to be "61H" for August 1961 correct? Does Dewitts supply these plates with the radiator? If so, and I decide to get one is 61H right for this car? Since it's a early 62 should it be painted black or would it fall into the "61 unpainted" era? Also, being early would the top inlet casting have the "square boss" or not?

Who would know all this stuff? How can I be sure? There are lots of oddities on this early car that others have told me, like unpainted rocker mouldings, etc.

Rich

[David K.]

Re: Early '62, I'd need stamped label correct?

I just ordered for my '62 #399. I took the info, off of the original rad. tag. Mine is 61 H or is it H 61? I wrote it down and can go look at the original rad. if you have any questions. Mine is a 250hp also. Yes, Tom says the plate is stamped and comes with the rad.

[David K.]

Re: Early '62, I'd need stamped label correct?

I just ordered for my '62 #399. I took the info, off of the original rad. tag. Mine is 61 H or is it H 61? I wrote it down and can go look at the original rad. if you have any questions. Mine is a 250hp also. Yes, Tom says the plate is stamped and comes with the rad.

[Richard M.]

Re: Early '62, I'd need stamped label correct?

Hi Dave,

The example on pg 91 of the 53-72 V16 #1 1989 Spec Guide shows an original with 61K(no space between 1 and K) October car. Your original tag have the space?

So your car was built about a week before mine, late August?

BTW, a typo on my eng cast date. It's H251, not H261, 3 days before assy, not 2.

Rich

[Richard M.]

Re: Early '62, I'd need stamped label correct?

Hi Dave,

The example on pg 91 of the 53-72 V16 #1 1989 Spec Guide shows an original with 61K(no space between 1 and K) October car. Your original tag have the space?

So your car was built about a week before mine, late August?

BTW, a typo on my eng cast date. It's H251, not H261, 3 days before assy, not 2.

Rich

[Terry D.]

Re: C1 '62 - Gambling on a 3150916 radiator ??

Rich

Agree with others, don't keep spending money on an old rad. If the price of a new one is over your budget for a "trailer queen" you might want to reconsider the project or find a new hobby. By the time you are done and you Top Flight that rad cost will seem minimal. Just my 2 cents!
Terry

[Terry D.]

Re: C1 '62 - Gambling on a 3150916 radiator ??

Rich

Agree with others, don't keep spending money on an old rad. If the price of a new one is over your budget for a "trailer queen" you might want to reconsider the project or find a new hobby. By the time you are done and you Top Flight that rad cost will seem minimal. Just my 2 cents!
Terry

[David K.]

Re: Early '62, I'd need stamped label correct?

Rich, sorry it took so long to get back to you, it is deer season here. My engine for car no. 399 has this on it's pad for assy. FO823RC. The cast date is hard to make out. The month has a glob of casting flash on it, so here is what I can read, ?51. I am assuming a cast date of Aug.5,61. Other dates you may find interesting is the intake manifold is G 11 1 and the expansion tank is 61G. Yes, the radiator has no space between the letters and number, 61H.

[David K.]

Re: Early '62, I'd need stamped label correct?

Rich, sorry it took so long to get back to you, it is deer season here. My engine for car no. 399 has this on it's pad for assy. FO823RC. The cast date is hard to make out. The month has a glob of casting flash on it, so here is what I can read, ?51. I am assuming a cast date of Aug.5,61. Other dates you may find interesting is the intake manifold is G 11 1 and the expansion tank is 61G. Yes, the radiator has no space between the letters and number, 61H.

[Richard M.]

Re: Early '62, I'd need stamped label correct?

Hi Dave, Interesting coincidence.....Your car(399) is 84 before mine. Build was apx 20 cars a day then, still ramping up. 443 was the last in Aug 61 with 23 build days in the month, so yours was built around Aug 28th by my checks.(399/20=19.95=20th day of production. So the engine was assembled(Aug 23) about 5 days before the car. Aug 5,1961 was a Saturday, so I think your cast# is likely H151(Aug 15), or H251(Aug 25) not Aug 5th.

Your engine assy(Aug 23) was apx 3 days before mine. My cast# is H251, assy Aug 28. It's possible they ramped up and your engine was cast the same day as mine and mine sat for a while before assy. Yours went out before mine, about 5 or 6 days before, so the numbers make sense to me.

Trivia results easier to follow:

Yours Mine Diff

===== ==== ====
SN# 399 483 84 (@20/day = 84/20=4.2 days apart)
Built Aug28 Sep6 6days (Sep4 was Labor Day)
Eng assy 0823 0828 5days
Eng cast H251(?) H251 same day?

Fun stuff,
Rich

[Richard M.]

Re: Early '62, I'd need stamped label correct?

Hi Dave, Interesting coincidence.....Your car(399) is 84 before mine. Build was apx 20 cars a day then, still ramping up. 443 was the last in Aug 61 with 23 build days in the month, so yours was built around Aug 28th by my checks.(399/20=19.95=20th day of production. So the engine was assembled(Aug 23) about 5 days before the car. Aug 5,1961 was a Saturday, so I think your cast# is likely H151(Aug 15), or H251(Aug 25) not Aug 5th.

Your engine assy(Aug 23) was apx 3 days before mine. My cast# is H251, assy Aug 28. It's possible they ramped up and your engine was cast the same day as mine and mine sat for a while before assy. Yours went out before mine, about 5 or 6 days before, so the numbers make sense to me.

Trivia results easier to follow:

Yours Mine Diff

===== ==== ====
SN# 399 483 84 (@20/day = 84/20=4.2 days apart)
Built Aug28 Sep6 6days (Sep4 was Labor Day)
Eng assy 0823 0828 5days
Eng cast H251(?) H251 same day?

Fun stuff,
Rich

[Richard M.]

Re: C1 '62 - Gambling on a 3150916 radiator ??

Hi Terry,

Budget is always an issue no matter how much funding one has. I don't like to spend money unwisely and am looking for an economically feasible approach to my tasks. It won't defer me from completing my project, but maybe delay it a little. I think one has to decide where to try to keep costs down. I need to reserve whatever it takes for refinishing and paint as that will be the biggest part of the budget and won't be skimped. If my radiator decision doesn't pan out I can swap it any time. A little harder to swap paint. Also, I don't think it would cause me to change my passion and do something different, becoming a model train enthusiast or something like that either. I'll save that as a hobby for when I can't turn a wrench under a car any longer.:-)

It's also an issue of originality. I like to preserve whatever possible in my restoration work, and resort to reproduction items whatever the cost only as a last resort. I've used this approach on our Corvettes and Jaguar for over 20 years and it's been working quite well for me. Present standings of our self restored Jaguar E-Type is presently 2nd in SE Regional and 4th in North American competition. Not bad. I'm presenting my 59 Corvette next month for judging to help learn the judging process here and to help me understand what's right for both it and the 62 project underway.

After hearing the welcomed radiator advice from the replies, as a result I am now leaning towards the Dewitts reproduction. Decisions decisions....

All The Best,
Rich

[Richard M.]

Re: C1 '62 - Gambling on a 3150916 radiator ??

Hi Terry,

Budget is always an issue no matter how much funding one has. I don't like to spend money unwisely and am looking for an economically feasible approach to my tasks. It won't defer me from completing my project, but maybe delay it a little. I think one has to decide where to try to keep costs down. I need to reserve whatever it takes for refinishing and paint as that will be the biggest part of the budget and won't be skimped. If my radiator decision doesn't pan out I can swap it any time. A little harder to swap paint. Also, I don't think it would cause me to change my passion and do something different, becoming a model train enthusiast or something like that either. I'll save that as a hobby for when I can't turn a wrench under a car any longer.:-)

It's also an issue of originality. I like to preserve whatever possible in my restoration work, and resort to reproduction items whatever the cost only as a last resort. I've used this approach on our Corvettes and Jaguar for over 20 years and it's been working quite well for me. Present standings of our self restored Jaguar E-Type is presently 2nd in SE Regional and 4th in North American competition. Not bad. I'm presenting my 59 Corvette next month for judging to help learn the judging process here and to help me understand what's right for both it and the 62 project underway.

After hearing the welcomed radiator advice from the replies, as a result I am now leaning towards the Dewitts reproduction. Decisions decisions....

All The Best,
Rich

[David K.]

Re: Early '62, I'd need stamped label correct?

Rich, I used to fret over the fact that my casting dates have that bugger of casting flash over it and how the judges would preceive it. But, I have long since got over that. I agree with you on the probable cast date. Also, going from memory, the heads were cast around July 15 or 17. I remember mid July and I can easily check them if you would like to know. Of course these are the "896" heads. There are a number of July dates on various componets. It is fun stuff!!!