A Early '63 340/360 HP Question

[Lenny K.]

My '63 has a driver side inlet opening in the radiator frame which would supply air to the air cleaner of FI version.

My question is...... did both the 340 and 360HP versions come with this opening or was it only built for FI 360hp engines?

I have had several folks opine both ways and I am very curious as to if the Early '63 (Built Nov. 1, 1962) had the opening for both engine options or if it was ONLY configured for the 360hp that required the opening.

Thanks, Lenny

[Michael G.]

Re: A Early '63 340/360 HP Question

Only 360 horse cars came out of St Louis in ‘63 with that hole. With that said, all later replacement parts were supplied with the hole. This is not a “welded-in” part, so rust and accidents resulted in many ‘63s eventually having their radiator support replaced with one with the hole.

In essence, then, an early 340 HP car could very easily now sport a replacement panel. Historically, in order to increase the value/salability of a non-fuelie car, sellers have for many years claimed that the hole is evidence that the car was originally a fuelie. This is wishful thinking, at best. So, while your car might well have once been fuel car, there is now no way to tell for sure if it was. There are many other hints that may remain to convince you of such originality, but none of them alone are smoking-gun evidence.

[Lenny K.]

Re: A Early '63 340/360 HP Question

Thanks Mike..... Yeh.... mine was originally raced and had front fender replacements done as well so the FI emblem holes are NOT there.... otherwise I have restored it to a true 340hp version.... got it with NOM but correct GM replacement engine..... interestingly enough it also had a Muncie 4 speed vs. Warner T10 tranny..... so...... are there any other dead giveaways as to originally 340/360hp off the top of your head(s).....

I attached a copy of my "Restomod" toy poster..... clearly not a Flight Bait vehicle but still MOSTLY NCRS-correct except for 23 deviations I have documented.... smile... Lenny

[Bob R.]

[Michael G.]

[Duke W.]

Re: A Early '63 340/360 HP Question

For '63 both the FI and carb radiator supports are unique to that year and visually distinguishable from later versions. The last service replacement was the '65 FI version, so any '63 with this support is most likely an original carb car as FI was only about 12 percent of '63 production.

Duke

[Lenny K.]

Re: A Early '63 340/360 HP Question

Bob,

As stated, documentation noted that front fenders had seemingly been replaced so FI holes not there is not proof one way or the other. I will post some pictures of the radiator surround to see if there is any clue there..... but since it was raced it is likely that it HAS a replacement support.... again no positive way to determine 340 vs. 360.... smile.... LK

[Michael G.]

[Lenny K.]

Re: A Early '63 340/360 HP Question

Thanks Mike..... I have NOT installed a FI unit/Emblems on my baby for several reasons..... mostly.... difficulty of getting everything correct AND cranky disposition of the FI unit itself. That said, I AM happy with the 340hp setup I have now (Correct carb/intake, etc) and do NOT intend to further create a "Original Fuelie" impression, other than the POTENTIAL that it was. As is, I get constant awards from car shows and spending ~$15K for a very nice FI unit, only to raise the "value" by $15K or so makes no sense to me..... LOL!!

Please PM me with any other nuances/subtleties you have for my own gratification..... Lenny

[Lenny K.]

Re: A Early '63 340/360 HP Question

Here are a couple of pictures of my radiator surround.... can you determine from these if it is an original Early '63 or a replacement and, if so, how.....smile.... thanks, Lenny

[Jim L.]

Re: A Early '63 340/360 HP Question

The tell-tale difference between '63-only radiator supports and all the rest are features on the front side of the support. Post pictures of that area.

[Lenny K.]

Re: A Early '63 340/360 HP Question

The tell-tale difference between '63-only radiator supports and all the rest are features on the front side of the support. Post pictures of that area.

Jim,

Without tampering with a perfect hood alignment and removing it, there is no way to snap a shot of the front that I can find so.... I guess my curiosity will just remain unless someone finds more info regarding the surround or definitive FI evidence other than the surround, emblems...and ?? ..... LK

[Jim L.]

Re: A Early '63 340/360 HP Question

Jim,

Without tampering with a perfect hood alignment and removing it, there is no way to snap a shot of the front that I can find so.... I guess my curiosity will just remain unless someone finds more info regarding the surround or definitive FI evidence other than the surround, emblems...and ?? ..... LK

Raise the hood and place your camera between the "top" of the hood and the nose of the car. Aim down and just on either side of the radiator opening. Set your camera on close focus, of course, and take the picture. You'll capture the key differentiating feature of '63 core supports if you have one.

[Lenny K.]

Re: A Early '63 340/360 HP Question

OK Jim et all.... Did this give you what you need??!!..... LK

[Jim L.]

Re: A Early '63 340/360 HP Question

Yep, your car has a replacement radiator support.

For reference, this is how a '63-only support appears. Note the forward "bump outs" on either side of the radiator opening:

s-l1600.jpg