do 68 l36's have over flow tanks or not?

[Brandon T.]

I didn't think they did however, a guy that has a very original l36 with one and it is even dated properly.

I've looked into a some and his car is a early 68 model built in 67.

question is did they have them or not it's the harrison and like I said dated properly he is the 2nd owner of the car and it has 36k documented miles.

I'm guessing it ran hot or something and someone added it? the dealer? not sure..your thoughts please

[Joe L.]

Re: do 68 l36's have over flow tanks or not?

I didn't think they did however, a guy that has a very original l36 with one and it is even dated properly.

I've looked into a some and his car is a early 68 model built in 67.

question is did they have them or not it's the harrison and like I said dated properly he is the 2nd owner of the car and it has 36k documented miles.

I'm guessing it ran hot or something and someone added it? the dealer? not sure..your thoughts please

Brandon-----

NO 1968 (OR 1967) Corvette with big block except L-88 originally used a radiator supply tank. No early cars, no mid-build cars, no late cars. However, 1968 (and 1967) Corvettes originally equipped with small blocks or L-88 and later CONVERTED to L-36, L-68, or L-71 MAY have a radiator supply tank. So, if I found a radiator supply tank on a 1968 Corvette with L-36, L-68, or L-71, I would strongly suspect that the car was originally a small block or an L-88. Of course, I would not know which one. But, it was VERY likely one or the other.

The radiators used with ALL 1967-68 Corvettes with big blocks except L-88 have an integral filler and NO provisions to support an external supply tank. So, if the car has a functional external supply tank, it also has a radiator which is incorrect for the application.

There is absolutely no reason, whatsoever, for anyone to add a radiator supply tank to improve cooling. A supply tank is unrelated to cooling efficiency.

[Brandon T.]

Re: do 68 l36's have over flow tanks or not?

Thanks Joe I didn't think they did either I know 69's did but not 68's.

What's weird is his car is infact matching numbers, I've checked the whole 9 yards it's an original true bb l36 car. Frame, body, engine, trans, rear end, carb etc...all correct and dated correctly.

So, I would assume someone replaced the nose on his car at some point or another??

[Stuart F.]

Re: do 68 l36's have over flow tanks or not?

I trust the tank looks like a Harrison piece (aluminum) and not an aftermarket coolant recovery tank - those usually being plastic and connected to the radiator overflow hose. As I'm sure you know these when you see them, they were very popular aftermarket add-on items back in the 70's. Had a few of those myself.

Stu Fox

[Brandon T.]

Re: do 68 l36's have over flow tanks or not?

yes this is a harrison tank and is dated correct with car is whats weird.

why were they a popluar after market item? what does it gain you really

EDIT: you meant the plastic ones were a popluar after market item not the harrison tanks, got ya

[John H.]

Re: do 68 l36's have over flow tanks or not?

yes this is a harrison tank and is dated correct with car is whats weird.

What configuration of radiator and shroud does it have?

[Brandon T.]

Re: do 68 l36's have over flow tanks or not?

Haven't looked that close. Next time I see him I'll check it out closer.

what shrouds exactly are you asking about?

[John H.]

Re: do 68 l36's have over flow tanks or not?

what shrouds exactly are you asking about?

The fan shroud.

[Brandon T.]

Re: do 68 l36's have over flow tanks or not?

I got some pics from when the motor was out john. I think this is what you're wanting to see.

[Joe L.]

Re: do 68 l36's have over flow tanks or not?

I got some pics from when the motor was out john. I think this is what you're wanting to see.

Brandon-----


The radiator is a 1968-style big block radiator and the fan shroud is consistent with the style originally used for that radiator. There is no way that the external supply tank would ever have been originally installed with that radiator and there's no way that the external supply tank could at any subsequent time be used with that radiator.

The ONLY 1968's that ever originally used an external supply tank were small blocks with manual transmission or L-88. That's it. Assuming the front end is original to the car and assuming that the external supply tank is original to the car, the car would have had to be originally equipped with with a small block or an L-88. However, it looks like there are both a fuel supply line and a fuel return line. So, it was not originally equipped with an L-88.

[Brandon T.]

Re: do 68 l36's have over flow tanks or not?

thanks joe, here is a picture of the engine before he took it out and rebuilt it and put it back to factory specs and LOOKS




as far as it being a small block originally I know for a fact the engine, trans and rear end are matching to the car and he has ran the numbers further and says they add up I guess he means frame etc..