Should I replace non-origional parts?

[Wallace M. Hammond]

I own a 1963 "Fulie" coupe. The windshield and radiator have been replaced with non-origional parts. Three questions:

#1. How difficult will it be to find these two origional parts in the after-markt tday?

#2. What is a fair price for each of these origional parts in the after-market today?

#3. Is it worth the trouble and expense to replace these two non-origional parts with origional parts?

[Pat Bush #35083]

Re: Should I replace non-origional parts?

Wallace -

I think most would tell you "it depends". Depends on how original the car currently is, how much you want to spend, how much these original parts mean to you, and whether there is anything wrong that justifies removing them now and replacing.

I would imagine finding "original" 63 parts will be somewhat of a challenge. Assuming you can, add to the purchase of the radiator, a recore (or at least re-rodding)assuming it is good. I know how much it cost me to recore my 70 and 73 radiators -- around 200.00. I know good repros seem to be in the 400-700 range depending on application. Can't even speculate on the windshield.

In my humble opinion, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. By all means look for the parts. When it is time, replace if original if you can find them. Otherwise, I would let things be. My two cents.

Pat

[Jack H.]

Depends....

Decision is yours and much depends on what your 'end game' for the car is. Do you want to participate in factory concours judging/recognition or do you just want the car to be a nice driver that might be shown ocassionally and take score point deductions. The items you mention will NOT be cheap!

Windshield; finding a true factory original front glass that's date correctly for your car and is in mint condition is virtually impossible. If/when you do happen across one, expect to give $1000!!!! The dated reproduction windshields have subtle differences that savvy judges usually detect but make minor deductions on. Expect to give $450 for the glass, then contend with freight and installation.

Radiator; originally your car came with a Harrison aluminum radiator. True originals, NOS in box and dated correctly for your car are VERY rare. Expect to shell out $2500 for one. This radiator IS in reproduction form now and the 'repop' is pretty darn close to original configuration. Expect to give $750 for one.

If your car currently has a drop-in brass radiator, you might encounter a couple of issues. It's not going to cool as effectively (BTU per cubic inch) as the original Harrison aluminum unit. If you don't see your car running 'hot', you're one of the lucky ones....

The other aspect to consider is deterioration of the aluminum expansion tank. When the original aluminum radiator was swapped out, it was typically due to internal corrosion. This carried over, in small part, to the aluminum expansion tank (ionic 'talk' by way of coolant exchange). Substituting brass for the original aluminum radiator can speed up the deterioration of what remaining life the expansion tank has left....

But, reproduction expansion tanks are very good now and they're only $80, or so. Is it worth $800 in radiator to save an $80 factory original expansion tank? YOU are the only one who can assess economics vs. end restoration & preservatioin objectives....

[Pat Bush #35083]

Re: Should I replace non-origional parts?

Wallace -

I had a chat with Jack last evening and he informed me your car originally had an aluminum radiator. I have C3 cars and that's pretty much all I have worked on. I was under the silly preconception that your radiator would be similar to mine. Silly me :-(

Disregard my comment on recoring the radiator (that only applies to those of us who have brass). The rest of what I said should apply except that aluminum reproduction radiators are expensive as all get out 800+ -- and I can only imagine what a NOS part would cost you if you can find one for your 63.

Sorry for the confusion -

Pat

[mike hom]

Re: Should I replace non-origional parts?

I can't help regarding the glass, but I have a little experience with radiators. I had to replace the original aluminum Harrison radiator on my 65 B/B last year. To make a long story short, I was replacing radiator hoses as a precautionary measure. When tugging on the old hose, the 35 year old radiator split due to years of corrosion. I purchased a replacement from Dewitt's. It was NOT CHEAP, but it is absolutely identical to the original, including date code and inspection stamp.

If you need or want to replace your radiator and you are concerned with originality (which you obviously are), I would highly reccomend Dewitt's. They purchased the original tooling from Harrison and make the radiators to OEM specifications, which is why they are EXACT reproductions. This also explains the cost (mine was $900). Having said that, NOS radiators are much more expensive, and you don't know how it has been stored (could be corroded inside). I believe that this is one of those cases where NOS costs you a great premium over a brand new, identical part with a warranty. This choice is a no brainer for me, although someone else might want to pay the premium just because the NOS part is presumably "old".