C2 66 Radiator Data Code Tag

[Larry L.]

At Chapter judging meet my 66 327 350 Hp car lost 1/2 of the radiator points because the judges & Judging manual did not recognize my radiator date stamp.
The date stamp is on a 1/2" X 5/8" rectangular alum tage welded to the top over the spot the stamped date stamp would normally be. The date code is correct for the car.
I have owned the car for 37 years and the radiator has never been out of the car. I purchased it from a GM exec. 9,000 miles and never wet. It has 41,000 miles on it and essentially like new.

Has anyone seen this type of date tag on radiators.

I did get my top flight - first time out.
The other abnormality is the over flow tube is welded to the filler neck of the coolant recovery tank.

Larry Linder #22779

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 66 Radiator Data Code Tag

Larry-----

The "welded on" plate with the date code stamped into it is quite common on GM #3155316 radiators. I have seen many examples of it including my own original owner 1969.

I have not noted overflow fittings on radiator supply tanks which had an obvious weld bead at the interface with the neck. There may have been some made that way, though. In this case, however, I would expect a repair somewhere along the way. However, it's very possible that the repair occured at the Harrrison Radiator plant or, even, at St. Louis.

[Larry L.]

Re: C2 66 Radiator Data Code Tag

Now we need to get a few pictures and get judging manual amended to recognize these tags as origional.

Please send digital pictures if possible of your tag.

Thanks
Larry Linder

[Joe R.]

Re: C2 66 Radiator Data Code Tag

Larry,

The welded tags are common throughout the mid year era and beyond. Harrison restamped some radiators for some unknown reason and shipped them out the door to GM. Probably over-runs with an earlier date under the tag. Doesn't matter anyway. The judging manual does not say that you can't have a welded on tag. It's left to the knowledge of the judges and in your case they haven't looked under enough hoods to be let loose as judges.

As for the welded overflow tube on the tank, it's also common after mid 64 to have welded radiator overflow tubes and welded tubes on the overflow tank. In this case we do know that Harrison tested and welded the leaking tanks and radiators.

I have one NOS 316 radiator that has a tag welded with a 72 date. Never been out of the box so we know it's original Harrison.

You made top flight and probably have a few legitimate things to fix. Just don't change your original radiator or overflow tank to satisfy one judge that needs some classes or glasses or both.

Regards,

JR

[Michael H.]

Re: C2 66 Radiator Data Code Tag

Larry,

I agree with Joe and JR on the added/welded radiator date tag. Quite common.

On the surge tank fitting, I thought most were welded starting in 64 or 65.

[Larry L.]

Re: C2 66 Radiator Data Code Tag

Now we need to get a few pictures and get judging manual amended to recognize these tags as origional.

Please send digital pictures if possible of your tag.

Thanks
Larry Linder

[Patrick H.]

Re: C2 66 Radiator Data Code Tag

Larry,

I think they are recognized as original. However, as JR noted, your judged just didn't know what to recognize. There is a difference.

If I am judging a year outside my usual expertise, I always leave the benefit to the owner and car. Maybe your judges did not feel the same.

Patrick

[Dick W.]

Re: C2 66 Radiator Data Code Tag

I think that you will see the tags attached on through the end of usage (1972) of these radiators. Not all had them though

[Robert C.]

Re: Local level judges

Larry, There won't be any problem judging the radiators w/ welded date tags from the regional level and up. FYI there's a date stamped under the tag, (earlier date). What was the judges' comment written on the sheet for the deduction?

[Jack H.]

Yep...

I agree with Bob and once, for grins, we cut off the plate on a tuckered out BB Harrison aluminum rad that was a 'leaker' and found the date beneath was stamped one month prior to what was on the plate! Gotta believe the 'duds' that failed final inspection/test at Harrison were set aside in a 'to be repaired pile' and those that could be repaired re-entered the production/final test flow at a later point in time requiring an 'update' to their mfgr date...