1969 L-46 Radiators.
Thread Starter
CF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Delaware
St. Jude Donor '25
1969 L-46 Radiators.
Fellas,
I wanted to take this discussion out of the parts section and to where it belongs.
My August 69 build L-46 (No AC) has it's original radiator, which is copper (cap on the radiator, no external overflow). I am pretty sure that this was a production run change at some point. Weren't earlier 69 L46 cars (just talking No AC, L-46 to keep this even) produced with the aluminum radiator?
Stay safe, john
I wanted to take this discussion out of the parts section and to where it belongs.
My August 69 build L-46 (No AC) has it's original radiator, which is copper (cap on the radiator, no external overflow). I am pretty sure that this was a production run change at some point. Weren't earlier 69 L46 cars (just talking No AC, L-46 to keep this even) produced with the aluminum radiator?
Stay safe, john
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,099
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From: Massapequa Park NY
Hello John,
I don't know. I think your radiator was replaced. They should all have the expansion tank with no cap on the radiator itself. Do you have the MJ9 tag on the passenger side? This radiator ran through 1970 so there was no change during the 69 model year. The radiator should be the same part number as the big block radiator.
Are you the original owner of this car?
Can you take a good clear picture of the top of the radiator. Does the radiator have tags on the grill side? If so its almost certainly a service replacement.
Even if the early 350hp cars had aluminum early in the run they would have had expansion tanks. At least that's all I ever seen with original cars and what is generally accepted as correct.
I don't know. I think your radiator was replaced. They should all have the expansion tank with no cap on the radiator itself. Do you have the MJ9 tag on the passenger side? This radiator ran through 1970 so there was no change during the 69 model year. The radiator should be the same part number as the big block radiator.
Are you the original owner of this car?
Can you take a good clear picture of the top of the radiator. Does the radiator have tags on the grill side? If so its almost certainly a service replacement.
Even if the early 350hp cars had aluminum early in the run they would have had expansion tanks. At least that's all I ever seen with original cars and what is generally accepted as correct.
Last edited by ed427vette; Apr 25, 2017 at 01:22 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 252
From Alan in a post a couple weeks ago.
"Only 4-speed, non a/c cars had that tank along with an aluminum radiator.
The copper radior used with cars that had a base motor and automatic transmission used no tank."
"Only 4-speed, non a/c cars had that tank along with an aluminum radiator.
The copper radior used with cars that had a base motor and automatic transmission used no tank."
Thread Starter
CF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,285
Likes: 356
From: Delaware
St. Jude Donor '25
Hello John,
I don't know. I think your radiator was replaced. They should all have the expansion tank with no cap on the radiator itself. Do you have the MJ9 tag on the passenger side? This radiator ran through 1970 so there was no change during the 69 model year. The radiator should be the same part number as the big block radiator.
Are you the original owner of this car?
Can you take a good clear picture of the top of the radiator. Does the radiator have tags on the grill side? If so its almost certainly a service replacement.
I don't know. I think your radiator was replaced. They should all have the expansion tank with no cap on the radiator itself. Do you have the MJ9 tag on the passenger side? This radiator ran through 1970 so there was no change during the 69 model year. The radiator should be the same part number as the big block radiator.
Are you the original owner of this car?
Can you take a good clear picture of the top of the radiator. Does the radiator have tags on the grill side? If so its almost certainly a service replacement.
Naa, I was 1 in Aug of 69
, but I bought it from the original owner. Still has the original RC15 cap on it and the car is extremely original, down to the smog. It has never been restored, but needs it. I truthfully do not think the original owner replaced anything except for a few clamps and hoses. The Bizzocco (sp?) book talks about the production change to copper in later 69 for the L46, but I do not have it handy. I also have the hood blanket. I am 99% sure it is original. Check out the thread in the PARTS section on the 68 radiator for sale. Near the end is where the discussion starts.I will try to get a better look at it with some pictures.
Last edited by avalonjohn; Apr 25, 2017 at 01:31 PM.
Thread Starter
CF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,285
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From: Delaware
St. Jude Donor '25
I think that may have been different in some cases for the 69 L46. I need to get me book this evening.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
My post illustrated what happens when I stray from sb, 4-speed, 71 cars….I get very STUPID, very quickly!!!!
The 68-69 TIM&JG indicates that 69 350/350, 4-speed, non a/c cars, have been seen with either aluminum or copper radiators.
I want to believe I was referring to just 68 cars, but probably not.
I think!
Regards,
Alan
My post illustrated what happens when I stray from sb, 4-speed, 71 cars….I get very STUPID, very quickly!!!!
The 68-69 TIM&JG indicates that 69 350/350, 4-speed, non a/c cars, have been seen with either aluminum or copper radiators.
I want to believe I was referring to just 68 cars, but probably not.
I think!
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Apr 25, 2017 at 01:42 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
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70 l-46 used copper carry-over from late 69.
Thread Starter
CF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,285
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From: Delaware
St. Jude Donor '25
Pretty sure Vettebuyer's Black Beauty 69 L46 has an aluminum radiator.
Last edited by avalonjohn; Apr 25, 2017 at 01:48 PM.
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Melting Slicks
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From: Lansdale 19446 PA
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '10-'11, '15, '19
Well, just to add to the list - my September 68 build 1969, L46 4 speed non AC has an aluminum radiator and expansion tank.
Sometime it seems that they grabbed whatever was handy at the time and DONE!! Next!!!
Sometime it seems that they grabbed whatever was handy at the time and DONE!! Next!!!
Last edited by Go Vette Go; Apr 25, 2017 at 06:12 PM.
Melting Slicks
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From: Lansdale 19446 PA
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Drifting
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Interesting.
So, my 69 auto, 350/300 has a "regular" radiator (cap on the radiator) and no expansion tank. I thought maybe the radiator had been replaced at some point, which would explain the absence of the expansion tank, but now I'm assuming it probably never had one?
Why didn't Chevy put a coolant recovery tank on there in 69? Too early in the evolution of the cooling system?
So, my 69 auto, 350/300 has a "regular" radiator (cap on the radiator) and no expansion tank. I thought maybe the radiator had been replaced at some point, which would explain the absence of the expansion tank, but now I'm assuming it probably never had one?
Why didn't Chevy put a coolant recovery tank on there in 69? Too early in the evolution of the cooling system?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,099
Likes: 799
From: Massapequa Park NY
Interesting.
So, my 69 auto, 350/300 has a "regular" radiator (cap on the radiator) and no expansion tank. I thought maybe the radiator had been replaced at some point, which would explain the absence of the expansion tank, but now I'm assuming it probably never had one?
Why didn't Chevy put a coolant recovery tank on there in 69? Too early in the evolution of the cooling system?
So, my 69 auto, 350/300 has a "regular" radiator (cap on the radiator) and no expansion tank. I thought maybe the radiator had been replaced at some point, which would explain the absence of the expansion tank, but now I'm assuming it probably never had one?
Why didn't Chevy put a coolant recovery tank on there in 69? Too early in the evolution of the cooling system?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 252