1969 L88 Radiator Bracket
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 6
1969 L88 Radiator Bracket
Zip is showing one top center bracket for the (aluminum I suppose) radiator for the L88 engine (part #M-260).
Is this correct, meaning is there only the one center bracket instead of one on each end of the top of the other big block radiators?
Cheers,
Mark
Is this correct, meaning is there only the one center bracket instead of one on each end of the top of the other big block radiators?
Cheers,
Mark
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,682
Likes: 3,135
From: Shamong, NJ
The L-88 used the same aluminum radiator as the 65 396. The design of the 65 396 and L-88 radiator, is similar to the 63-72 aluminum small block radiator. Unlike the copper big block radiators that sit in 2 saddles with rectangular cushions, and have 2 more saddles and cushions on top, the L-88 radiator has 2 pins on the bottom that get small round cushions on them, and the a single bracket on top, that gets an inverted "U" shaped cushion under it.
The 396/L-88 is a great radiator. It's so good that when Chevrolet first started racing the Z/28 in Trans Am, they were having constant over heating issues, and the only way they were able to solve them, was by using the L-88 radiator in the racing Z/28's.
The 396/L-88 is a great radiator. It's so good that when Chevrolet first started racing the Z/28 in Trans Am, they were having constant over heating issues, and the only way they were able to solve them, was by using the L-88 radiator in the racing Z/28's.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 6
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 6
Thanks GBvette. What I've got is a Dewitts Aluminum radiator (their version of the L-88 I think it was llisted as). I have a bunch of the cushions and brackets from Zip for the 'aluminum radiator' so I will see. The two lower brackets left from the previous radiator (this car was originally an L-36 427/390) so those brackets are still in place.
Hopefully they are not welded to the radiator support frame. I'll be able to look at the car and the AIM later today.
Cheers!
Mark
Hopefully they are not welded to the radiator support frame. I'll be able to look at the car and the AIM later today.
Cheers!
Mark
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 6
I just saw the old zip diagram on the radiator box and it does show the two round lower supports as well as the other two lower brackets. Then the center support on top with another shroud support.
So I will hope to see two holes in the radiator support and should be ok if so.
So I will hope to see two holes in the radiator support and should be ok if so.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,682
Likes: 3,135
From: Shamong, NJ
Thanks GBvette. What I've got is a Dewitts Aluminum radiator (their version of the L-88 I think it was llisted as). I have a bunch of the cushions and brackets from Zip for the 'aluminum radiator' so I will see. The two lower brackets left from the previous radiator (this car was originally an L-36 427/390) so those brackets are still in place.
Hopefully they are not welded to the radiator support frame. I'll be able to look at the car and the AIM later today.
Cheers!
Mark
Hopefully they are not welded to the radiator support frame. I'll be able to look at the car and the AIM later today.
Cheers!
Mark
I just saw the old zip diagram on the radiator box and it does show the two round lower supports as well as the other two lower brackets. Then the center support on top with another shroud support.
So I will hope to see two holes in the radiator support and should be ok if so.
So I will hope to see two holes in the radiator support and should be ok if so.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 6
gbvette62, thank you for that good info. I'll look at the support and radiator early next week see what I have. That would be ashame to need a diff radiator (or support) at this point, but wont be the first part I've bought that didn't get used. Ouch...
Last edited by marky mark; Oct 19, 2018 at 09:20 AM.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 6
Follow up: The Dewiit's aluminum L-88 style radiator does not come with the two round supports. Nor does it have a locator for the center bracket.
So, it should fit in the existing 'C' supports on both bottom and top. I will know in the near future, lol.
So, it should fit in the existing 'C' supports on both bottom and top. I will know in the near future, lol.