Tom DeWitt-'69 Radiator Question
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Tom DeWitt-'69 Radiator Question
I know I could send you a PM (still might) but I think this question might benefit others as well.
I need a radiator for my '69. I see listed the Restoration #941, and the Direct fit A63M. I also see the A70M, which is described as 350 + Air, OR LT1 or L46.
The car is an L46 4 speed, no air. NCRS says this combo, unlike the 350 hp w/air or automatic, should be an aluminum radiator, not copper.
Therefore, I would expect a 26" core, different looking A70M to be the "right" application. Is there no comparable design Restoration model? The #941 looks like the A63M. The detailed stamped beautiful 941 would be a waste if its supposed to look like the A70M, right?
Am I way off?
I need a radiator for my '69. I see listed the Restoration #941, and the Direct fit A63M. I also see the A70M, which is described as 350 + Air, OR LT1 or L46.
The car is an L46 4 speed, no air. NCRS says this combo, unlike the 350 hp w/air or automatic, should be an aluminum radiator, not copper.
Therefore, I would expect a 26" core, different looking A70M to be the "right" application. Is there no comparable design Restoration model? The #941 looks like the A63M. The detailed stamped beautiful 941 would be a waste if its supposed to look like the A70M, right?
Am I way off?
CF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Delaware
St. Jude Donor '25
Not to jump in here......however, I have a 69 L-46 4 spd, no air, and mine has the original copper radiator. The Bizzocco book has a couple pages dedicated to the cooling system changes throughout the year and I verified mine through the VINs he supplied with the type cooling systems. Regardless of what NCRS says (I'm a member and purist)....69's had several different systems depending on when it was built. What is your VIN or build date? Mine, with the copper is Aug 04, 69.
I know I could send you a PM (still might) but I think this question might benefit others as well.
I need a radiator for my '69. I see listed the Restoration #941, and the Direct fit A63M. I also see the A70M, which is described as 350 + Air, OR LT1 or L46.
The car is an L46 4 speed, no air. NCRS says this combo, unlike the 350 hp w/air or automatic, should be an aluminum radiator, not copper.
Therefore, I would expect a 26" core, different looking A70M to be the "right" application. Is there no comparable design Restoration model? The #941 looks like the A63M. The detailed stamped beautiful 941 would be a waste if its supposed to look like the A70M, right?
Am I way off?
I need a radiator for my '69. I see listed the Restoration #941, and the Direct fit A63M. I also see the A70M, which is described as 350 + Air, OR LT1 or L46.
The car is an L46 4 speed, no air. NCRS says this combo, unlike the 350 hp w/air or automatic, should be an aluminum radiator, not copper.
Therefore, I would expect a 26" core, different looking A70M to be the "right" application. Is there no comparable design Restoration model? The #941 looks like the A63M. The detailed stamped beautiful 941 would be a waste if its supposed to look like the A70M, right?
Am I way off?
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Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,981
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From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Not to jump in here......however, I have a 69 L-46 4 spd, no air, and mine has the original copper radiator. The Bizzocco book has a couple pages dedicated to the cooling system changes throughout the year and I verified mine through the VINs he supplied with the type cooling systems. Regardless of what NCRS says (I'm a member and purist)....69's had several different systems depending on when it was built. What is your VIN or build date? Mine, with the copper is Aug 04, 69.
CF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Delaware
St. Jude Donor '25
ok, VIN ending 734181 for that day.......I.cross referenced this with the Bizzocco book. He found, VIN 729374, L-46, non air 4 spd to have a plastic shroud, copper radiator, no surge tank, no blanket..........next was VIN 738161, .....same exact set up L-46 w/ the copper radiator, no AC.......your VIN seems to fall in the middle of these right?
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ok, VIN ending 734181 for that day.......I.cross referenced this with the Bizzocco book. He found, VIN 729374, L-46, non air 4 spd to have a plastic shroud, copper radiator, no surge tank, no blanket..........next was VIN 738161, .....same exact set up L-46 w/ the copper radiator, no AC.......your VIN seems to fall in the middle of these right?
My VIN is less than 100 earlier than the 34181. It has a metal shroud, aluminum radiator, expansion tank. NCRS says 350 hp has aluminum expansion tank and 350 hp manual has aluminum radiator. NCRS also says SB aluminum radiators had metal shrouds.
Im OK with replacing the aluminum radiator with the aluminum restoration model from DeWitts, but $870 because of the part number, date code and Harrison sticker, and minor detail? Yeek.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: ct
For what it's worth. My 69 is a June car and has the stacked plate alum. rad with the expansion tank and the steel shroud. 300 hp 4 sp car with PS only. The car was untouched till I bought it. It still has it's orig. dated rad in it. I'm going to replace it with a new direct fit from Tom. I just ordered the A63-M.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Dundee MI
No. If 34181 was the end of the day and the next VIN was 38161, this would be AFTER my day, right?
My VIN is less than 100 earlier than the 34181. It has a metal shroud, aluminum radiator, expansion tank. NCRS says 350 hp has aluminum expansion tank and 350 hp manual has aluminum radiator. NCRS also says SB aluminum radiators had metal shrouds.
Im OK with replacing the aluminum radiator with the aluminum restoration model from DeWitts, but $870 because of the part number, date code and Harrison sticker, and minor detail? Yeek.
My VIN is less than 100 earlier than the 34181. It has a metal shroud, aluminum radiator, expansion tank. NCRS says 350 hp has aluminum expansion tank and 350 hp manual has aluminum radiator. NCRS also says SB aluminum radiators had metal shrouds.
Im OK with replacing the aluminum radiator with the aluminum restoration model from DeWitts, but $870 because of the part number, date code and Harrison sticker, and minor detail? Yeek.
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From: Delaware
St. Jude Donor '25
Right.... that is after yours but the first VIN I showed was 72984, built Sept 18th had the copper set up plastic shroud yada yada and was before your date...the next example was 738161 built Dec 22nd......These two examples, both with the copper , plastic set up, 4 spd no a/c L-46 cars, are before and after your build date between Sept 69 and Dec 69 right?.............just trying to show that cars around this time could have had copper radiators....but you are 100% correct, NCRS wants the aluminum.
...but you are 100% correct, NCRS wants the aluminum.No. If 34181 was the end of the day and the next VIN was 38161, this would be AFTER my day, right?
My VIN is less than 100 earlier than the 34181. It has a metal shroud, aluminum radiator, expansion tank. NCRS says 350 hp has aluminum expansion tank and 350 hp manual has aluminum radiator. NCRS also says SB aluminum radiators had metal shrouds.
Im OK with replacing the aluminum radiator with the aluminum restoration model from DeWitts, but $870 because of the part number, date code and Harrison sticker, and minor detail? Yeek.
My VIN is less than 100 earlier than the 34181. It has a metal shroud, aluminum radiator, expansion tank. NCRS says 350 hp has aluminum expansion tank and 350 hp manual has aluminum radiator. NCRS also says SB aluminum radiators had metal shrouds.
Im OK with replacing the aluminum radiator with the aluminum restoration model from DeWitts, but $870 because of the part number, date code and Harrison sticker, and minor detail? Yeek.
Drifting
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St. Jude Donor '07
My 69 was born on Oct. 30 69 and has the aluminum rad with the steel shroud. It was a 4 speed no AC car.
Drifting
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St. Jude Donor '07
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Right.... that is after yours but the first VIN I showed was 72984, built Sept 18th had the copper set up plastic shroud yada yada and was before your date...the next example was 738161 built Dec 22nd......These two examples, both with the copper , plastic set up, 4 spd no a/c L-46 cars, are before and after your build date between Sept 69 and Dec 69 right?.............just trying to show that cars around this time could have had copper radiators....but you are 100% correct, NCRS wants the aluminum.
...but you are 100% correct, NCRS wants the aluminum. I'd love to just cosmetically restore my nicely dated and numbered aluminum radiator. If not maybe I'll cut the date pad off and glue it to a Direct Fit!! 
What tach is there? Console data tag near the shifter?
Drifting
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St. Jude Donor '07
What tach is there? Console data tag near the shifter?
Console tag says 350/350 but they are too easy to change to be believed.
Tach has a 6000 red line. Again something that can be changed so I do not swear by anything without proper documentation. 
Console tag says 350/350 but they are too easy to change to be believed.
Tach has a 6000 red line. Again something that can be changed so I do not swear by anything without proper documentation.
Last edited by c69vete; Mar 1, 2009 at 10:57 AM.
Thread Starter
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ok, VIN ending 734181 for that day.......I.cross referenced this with the Bizzocco book. He found, VIN 729374, L-46, non air 4 spd to have a plastic shroud, copper radiator, no surge tank, no blanket..........next was VIN 738161, .....same exact set up L-46 w/ the copper radiator, no AC.......your VIN seems to fall in the middle of these right?
So, are you suggesting ALL '69 L46 cars after a certain date/VIN came with copper radiators, (this is including the no A/C cars) or are you thinking maybe they started to mix the copper in with the aluminum? Were they running low? Out altogether?
I found it interesting my November car originally (I'm assuming) had this radiator with a date as early as 69D.
Anyway, I'm digging this group purchase thingie.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
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St. Jude Donor '10-'11, '15, '19
Interesting
A local friend & I have been having this "radiator debate" for the past several months. We both have very original 69's - 350/350's without air. Both have PS. My September 68 built car (#2189) has an aluminum radiator, metal shroud and Harrison expansion tank, my friends 69 is a February build with a copper radiator, plastic shroud and no expansion tank. Both redlines at 6K. He thought his was wrong but if you examine the car, are no holes in the pass fender well for the expansion tank (no patch job either).
I honestly feel there is no rhyme or reason as to what or when they built these cars. For every "rule" I find an exception!
Vettebuyer - I did buy the 941 last fall. It was identical to the radiator I pulled out. DeWitt's does a nice job.
I honestly feel there is no rhyme or reason as to what or when they built these cars. For every "rule" I find an exception!
Vettebuyer - I did buy the 941 last fall. It was identical to the radiator I pulled out. DeWitt's does a nice job.
