Radiator shroud bolts

[Mike R.]

I have reinstalled my overhauled L84 in my 65 convertible and am taking the opportunity to clean up some small issues including replacing incorrect hardware. The car was restored (sort of) at some point in the past and I am not sure if all fasteners are correct

The fan shroud to radiator support bolts on my car are the type with captured washers and pointed tips. The bolts called out in the JG and sold by various vendors are bolts with separate washers.

Similiarly, the bracked that attaches the radiator to the radiator support is attached with pointed, captured washer bolts.

Also the bolts sold by the corvette vendors are silver zinc plated. is this correct

The car is an early 65. I ask these questions instead of just ordering the parts because there seem to be exceptions to the judging guide in the real world and because I have recieved many incorrect "reproduction" parts from my local UPS man. Thanks in advance

BTW Really looking forward to being able drive the car. The engine is about as "built" as possible while remaining "stock". It revs like a blender with the new L88 flywheel.

[Rich P.]

Re: Radiator shroud bolts

Mike,

the pointed bolts you refer to are black phosphate. They should have a recessed hex head and a captured 3/4" flat washer. There is a repro bolt sold with an E headmarking but the pointed tip is machined and not sheared like original and is a dead giveaway. These are the same as the hood hinge bolts.

Here is a shot of some originals.

Rich

As a side note I just did a 65 that had the pointed tip bolts for the fan shrud.

[Jim D.]

Re: Radiator shroud bolts

As a side note I just did a 65 that had the pointed tip bolts for the fan shrud.

My 65 fan shroud bolts don't have a captured washer, are not pointed tip bolts and the head has "R S C". For reference, this is a 1 owner, 50K mile car that has never had the rad. removed.

Here's a previous thread on this subject. Sorry, I've deleted the pics. but can probably find them if needed. https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...bolts&uid=2995

Jim

[Mike R.]

Re: Radiator shroud bolts

Thanks Rich and Jim. I suppose this is probably another case of the plant using different fasteners for the same function at different times. I will assume that my bolts are original and refinish them. I was secretly hoping that I had the wrong ones and could just buy new...

My 65 fan shroud bolts don't have a captured washer, are not pointed tip bolts and the head has "R S C". For reference, this is a 1 owner, 50K mile car that has never had the rad. removed.

Jim

[Tony S.]

Re: Radiator shroud bolts

Mike. Good topic. There has been prior posts on this subject. Mike Murray and I have visited about these bolts. I won't speak for Mike, but from my research it would seem that many of the '65 small block cars used the black phosphate bolts with pinched points, captured washers and indexed heads to attach the fan shroud to the core support. The most common head mark has a large C with either two or three radiant lines. My car is a late March 1965 L79 car. It has this type of bolt attaching the fan shroud to the core support.

As for '65 L78 cars (396), Gene Leonard/Jody Balch's Duntov car had cad bolts without the pinched point. I would like to know if Wayne Midkiff or Bill Williamson's L78 cars have the small block black phos bolts as described or the 396 bolts like Gene Leonard's old car with cad plating.

I'll be in Kissimmee this week and intend to look at the cars there to see how they are presented.

Tony

[Jim D.]

Re: Radiator shroud bolts

To add info. for Tony's research, mine is an early April 65 L75 car.

[Wayne M.]

Re: Radiator shroud bolts

....As for '65 L78 cars (396), Gene Leonard/Jody Balch's Duntov car had cad bolts without the pinched point. I would like to know if Wayne Midkiff or Bill Williamson's L78 cars have the small block black phos bolts as described or the 396 bolts like Gene Leonard's old car with cad plating. ....

Tony -- I certainly wouldn't use my L78 as an example in this area -- too many component R&R's by owners who couldn't care less what went back where. That said, the easy-to-see (pass.) side shows 2 out of 3 as black phos. recessed head, captured concial washer with sheared point; length from underside of washer to tip is 3/4". Headmark is that (beautiful, IMO, could take a pic) ELH with 4 concentric circles and 3 radial lines in form of an inverted "T". It's too busy on the driver side shroud, as you know, to identify bolts without removing stuff .

[Tony S.]

Re: Radiator shroud bolts

Thanks Wayne. I always appreciate your input.

I'm down here at the Florida Regional and I'm glad I brought my coat!

Tony

[Bill W.]

Re: Radiator shroud bolts

My 396 #17346 has 5 black GL recesed head w/captive washer w/no point . Dont know about #6. The upper support brkt has twoWB./w3 bars Black.&one recesed head M with a built in washer black. Hornbolts cad with RCS

[Tony S.]

Re: Radiator shroud bolts

Thanks Bill. Always great hearing from you. I would love to see your car next time I'm in Edwardsville.
Best,
Tony

[Ronald L.]

Re: Radiator shroud bolts

Mike,
What does the AIM for 1965 say the part number is?

When restoring cars to factory original is is always best (IMHO) to go with the part number defined in the AIM as that is how cars (&trucks) are built, bill of material based upon part numbers.

Earlier the RSC head mark is mentioned, if your 65 aim says 122007 is the bolt required, then, as many a 1966 car I have inspected has shown, with original bolts in the 122007 application (RSC head mark) was being used in 1966 and 67 for these areas of the car.

A couple jobs before/after rad install some other parts go on that use these same bolts.They are extremely hard to get at once the car is together so they do not get changed that frequently and RSC 's appeared in all these locations on unrestored 1966 cars I have recently inspected.