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Bought a 63 convertible last May. First time the car had seen the light of day since 1997. PO restored the car in 96/97 (as indicated by dated pictures I got from the son), drove it 88 miles then parked in his basement till I got it out in May (I compared the odometer from the restoration pictures to what it had when purchased). Does that qualify as a barn find? Story I was told is that after restoring the car, the PO was afraid to drive it since it was such a solid car with all original panels. I spent the next month getting the car ready for the road (not my first rodeo, just my first corvette). In the course of getting it in shape, I flushed the original coolant out, refilled with distilled vinegar, let it sit for day then re-flushed and filled with coolant, among other things. Over the course of putting 1,000 miles on over the summer, the temperature gauge was consistently high (210 or more). IR gun pretty much confirmed. Car would run hot on the highway but cool down in the city Lower radiator hose is good and solid with internal spring. So guessing it's the radiator. Here's my question: How can I tell if this is the original radiator? I have no paperwork, receipts, etc. to know what the PO bought or replaced. Cooling fins look too good to be 35 year old radiator (at the time when it was parked). I'm willing to buy a new DeWitt's if I'm replacing a 60 year old unit but I would also hate to spend the money only to find out this was a new radiator and there's some other issue. Car has a November 2, 1962 birthday so the date code looks right. Fan clutch is new.
Welcome to the Corvette Forum. Good looking 63. As to the Radiator, that one pic you posted of the top plate make it 'look' like it could be an original stacked plate radiator and if it is the original, very good chance it's not in great shape these days.
But before you plunk down your money on a replacement radiator, maybe check out a few more things. I see you did back up your temp findings with an IR gun, good. Have you had a chance to check out the water pump, in particular, the weep hole on the bottom side of the front snout? If you see a tell-tale stain it might indicate a leaking seal. The other thing worth checking would be the clutch fan. Once it's up to temp, does the clutch unit engage with the fan so that when testing, you don't get more than say a full turn or turn and a half once you spin it? Other areas worth checking, if you haven't already, would be looking for vacuum leaks and engine timing. Also, any idea what thermostat is in there...160...180...195?
Congrats on picking up a very nice looking 63 Roadster, I'm sure you'll get to the bottom of the cars issues in no time at all.
Mike T - Prescott AZ
Welcome to the Corvette Forum. Good looking 63. As to the Radiator, that one pic you posted of the top plate make it 'look' like it could be an original stacked plate radiator and if it is the original, very good chance it's not in great shape these days.
But before you plunk down your money on a replacement radiator, maybe check out a few more things. I see you did back up your temp findings with an IR gun, good. Have you had a chance to check out the water pump, in particular, the weep hole on the bottom side of the front snout? If you see a tell-tale stain it might indicate a leaking seal. The other thing worth checking would be the clutch fan. Once it's up to temp, does the clutch unit engage with the fan so that when testing, you don't get more than say a full turn or turn and a half once you spin it? Other areas worth checking, if you haven't already, would be looking for vacuum leaks and engine timing. Also, any idea what thermostat is in there...160...180...195?
Congrats on picking up a very nice looking 63 Roadster, I'm sure you'll get to the bottom of the cars issues in no time at all.
Mike T - Prescott AZ
The thermostat is new robertshaw180F, new vacuum advance, timing set to 34 degrees@3,000 rpm. Haven't noticed any weeping around the water pump. The old fan clutch was free spinning at temp. I have replaced the clutch with a Hayden clutch but have not been able to road test due to winter so that test is going to have to wait til april or may
Does your "new" vacuum advance can hold vacuum? I chased a similar issue, hot on the road cools off around town, in my 60 which turned out to be the "new" vac adv can..... Worth a quick check
Had a pm from a member as to what to look for on an original radiator which is leading me to think it's time to bite the bullet and replace it. Will still keep the original for whatever the future might hold.
02-08-2024, 10:00 PM
New Owner
Dennis
