1969 Copper Radiator 350/350

[Chuck Iliff]

I have a '69 Conv. 350/350, manual, w/o AC, and it has a copper radiator (no expansion tank) It was was produced in Jan '69, and is production number 13709 out of 38762. The NCRS judging guide indicates that my car should have an aluminum radiator (?). Did Chevrolet produce both Aluminum and Copper radiators for this particular set up (350/350, manual, w/o AC), or did they make a change at some time during '69 production? Additional notes: I also previously owned a '69 Coupe 350/350 manual w/o AC, and it too had a copper radiator. Lastly I saw 3 other cars at Carlisle, PA a few weeks ago, again with the same set up. Any insight or information you have would be greatly appreciated.

REFERENCE MESSAGE:
Re: 69 Radiator Shroud
Joe Lucia -- Thursday, 12 June 2003, at 6:54 p.m.

Mike-----

Your car likely originally used the copper/brass radiator and plastic fan shroud that you have. For 1969, L-46 engines were delivered both with aluminum radiators and steel shrouds and with copper/brass radiators with plastic shrouds.

The shroud that you require is GM #3956109 and it's still available from GM for about 150 bucks, list.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1969 Copper Radiator 350/350

Chuck-----

1969 L-46 without A/C and with manual transmission (all L-46 were 4 speed transmission) were produced with both aluminum (GM #3155316) and copper/brass (GM #3018803) radiators. Generally, I think that earlier 69s with L-46 and without A/C used the aluminum radiators and later cars used the copper/brass. However, this is not a hard-and-fast sort of thing and I think that any such 69 could have had either an aluminum or copper/brass radiator. I have a friend who is the original owner of his 1969 L-46 without A/C. His car was built about October, 1968 and his car was originally equipped with the aluminum radiator.

[Dick W.]

Re: 1969 Copper Radiator 350/350

I think as a general rule that you will see the aluminum radiators used on base engine cars and the copper/brass on the higher horsepower.