1965 Aluminum Radiator Judging Question

[Dave S.]

Did Aluminum radiators have a petcock installed at St. Louis.? If so can someone describe it or post a photo.? If not, can someone describe or post a photo of what the plug looked like. The TIM&G does not address this. I believe the C-3's had a plug but not sure about the mid years.

[Dan H.]

Re: 1965 Aluminum Radiator Judging Question

Dave, C2 aluminum radiators had an all aluminum petcock, call Whittek for replacements, or any Vendor. (Brass rad. would be brass etc.)

[Michael M.]

Re: 1965 Aluminum Radiator Judging Question

Dave, my small block aluminum radiator has a hex-head aluminum plug. The big blocks has a steel or brass hex-head drain plug, not a petcock.

[Joe R.]

Re: 1965 Aluminum Radiator Judging Question

Michael,

Your 65 small block or BB had an aluminum petcock from the factory. There were no exceptions!

JR

[Mike M.]

Re: 1965 Aluminum Radiator Judging Question

agree with joe mike

[Russ S.]

Re: 1965 Aluminum Radiator Judging Question

I don't know the answer and I do know the JG has mistakes in it but for the record it says aluminum plug.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1965 Aluminum Radiator Judging Question

Dave,

Here's a photo of the petcock on the '65 fuelie coupe over here. Appears to be all aluminum.
DSCN3615.jpg

This went to both the 2010 Regional and National so I'll check the Judging Sheets for notations later when I can.

I have the 2nd and 5th Edition Judging Guides here. I'm certainly not a '65 expert, but just to note.....

the 2nd edition states on Pg 120: "An aluminum hex-head plug is used in the drain hole"

The above sentence was omitted and is not noted in the 5th Edition JG on Pg 138. There is
reference to neither a plug nor a petcock in the 5th Edition JG.

I see why confusion exists.

Rich

[Dave S.]

Re: 1965 Aluminum Radiator Judging Question

Dave,

Here's a photo of the petcock on the '65 fuelie coupe over here. Appears to be all aluminum.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]66433[/ATTACH]

This went to both the 2010 Regional and National so I'll check the Judging Sheets for notations later when I can.

I have the 2nd and 5th Edition Judging Guides here. I'm certainly not a '65 expert, but just to note.....

the 2nd edition states on Pg 120: "An aluminum hex-head plug is used in the drain hole"

The above sentence was omitted and is not noted in the 5th Edition JG on Pg 138. There is
reference to neither a plug nor a petcock in the 5th Edition JG.

I see why confusion exists.

Rich

Thanks to all. I was looking at the 5th edition. Seems like it was noted as a plug 3 editions ago and then the JG went silent. Based on the replies from Joe and Mike I'll bet the soon to be released 65 JG will ask for a drain cock.

Rich- this car received no deduct for a brass drain cock when judged in Kissimmee in 2014.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1965 Aluminum Radiator Judging Question

Hmmm, The above pictured '65 Coupe built January 23rd received no deducts at the Kissimmee Regional 2010 nor the Charlotte National 2010 with the petcock.

Your car was built February 27.

Could it be one of those "Early vs Late" production things within all of 1965 production?

Just for sake of discussion, I can't recall if the above petcock, if in fact it was TFP because I don't remember if the ears of the thumbscrew are supposed to point down or up. I think down.

Rich
ps I just realized something after getting the dates from the C2 Registry BD calculator.... The above coupe was built on the past owner's birthday, and in 2010 he got a Top Flight on January 23rd, his birthday, and your car was built on, albeit years later, my Mother's birthday, February 27th. (enter Twilight Zone music now at this time......)

[Harry S.]

Re: 1965 Aluminum Radiator Judging Question

They are available from DeWitts for $10.00. Just give them a call.

[Michael M.]

Re: 1965 Aluminum Radiator Judging Question

Joe, the question was for C2's. I am not sure if 1965 and 1966 are the same. I looked in the latest edition of the 1966 judging manual. On page 160-161 states that both small block and big block have hex-head plugs not petcocks. Is this a mistake in the latest edition for 1966?

[Joe R.]

Re: 1965 Aluminum Radiator Judging Question

Guys,

It doesn't matter whether it is a 63 or a 67. Aluminum radiators had aluminum petcocks as shown in the above pic. Later brass/copper radiators had plugs I am told. Maybe that's where the confusion starts. Even the earlier 60-62's had aluminum petcocks on aluminum radiators

supplied from GM with an aluminum extension. Will follow with pics as that is where I got my aluminum petcocks.DSCN4364.jpg

JR

PS. Even all aluminum radiators supplied from GM parts had the aluminum petcock.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1965 Aluminum Radiator Judging Question

Oooooh, Ahhhh. Nice pieces Joe !!

edit.....
Thanks Harry. BTW, here's the link......ooops, price went up 50% since your post.

http://dewitts.com/products/drain-valve

ears down I had a 50-50 chance and i got it right with only one coffee earlier.

[Mike M.]

Re: 1965 Aluminum Radiator Judging Question

joe et al: last month i removed a NORS 65 396 radiator, dated 1982, from its original shipping container. it had an aluminum hex plug in it. i removed the hex plug and installed an aluminum petcock. the radiator is currently in the 396 coupe i just finished restoring. i left the radiator and a snap-on etching tool alone in the shop on dark and dreary nite, and lo and behold, when i entered the shop the next morning, a 1965 date was present on the top of the radiator. Saint Michael

[Joe R.]

Re: 1965 Aluminum Radiator Judging Question

joe et al: last month i removed a NORS 65 396 radiator, dated 1982, from its original shipping container. it had an aluminum hex plug in it. i removed the hex plug and installed an aluminum petcock. the radiator is currently in the 396 coupe i just finished restoring. i left the radiator and a snap-on etching tool alone in the shop on dark and dreary nite, and lo and behold, when i entered the shop the next morning, a 1965 date was present on the top of the radiator. Saint Michael

Bless you my son!