1960 aluminum drain cock

[Keith R.]

Looking for a definitive answer regarding the aluminum drain cocks for 1960 high horsepower engines. The AIM shows a drain hose coming out of the radiator support. So, the presumption is that the drain cock is threaded directly into the radiator without the extension nipple pipe and coupler used in 61's and later. In the 1958-1960 Corvette Restoration Handbook, Tom Howey and Bob Baird assert that the "wings" at either end of the finger shut-off lever face up towards the radiator rather than down towards the ground. I am finding that after market aluminum drain cocks have the wings facing down towards the ground and are lacking the extension nipple that the brass ones have allowing one to fit the drain hose to the drain cock. As far as judging goes, should I use a brass drain cock with hose or the '61 extension pipe with coupler and no hose? Which do the judges prefer?

[Loren L.]

Re: 1960 aluminum drain cock

The blueprint for the 1960 #3147516 radiator also indicates #3130318 for the draincock and #3148147 for what I assume is the drain hose (but is not labeled as such). No source is specified for the draincock. I cannot speak to the accuracy of the draincock drawing but will note that the "wings" are, as stated by Howey & Baird, facing upward toward the radiator. Its appearance would be similar to the illustration on the left.
The blueprint for the 1961 bears a 3 arrow ID of #3150906 as a "drain & extension assembly furnished by H.R.D. & installed by customer". I would assume that H.R.D. =s Harrison Radiator Division.
Early betting favored the drain and hose, but this item was recently pulled from the Boards in Vegas.....

[Keith R.]

Re: 1960 aluminum drain cock

Thanks for the response as I know you've researched this extensively in the past. But sorry - "pulled from the Boards in Vegas" - I don't understand what this refers to Loren. Can you elaborate?

[Loren L.]

Re: 1960 aluminum drain cock

Sure, it's a STUPID response indicating that I have NO IDEA what the particular group of judges that show up to judge your car are going to do. It is the sort of response that would have been made in the 70s/80s BY SNAIL MAIL to the Mikes, the Keiths, the Bills, the Jims, the Johns, the Joels, the Daves, etc, Thank God for all of them, and as Brian Futo once said, "Thank God for those who cared about the car and how it was built and NOT about what it is/was worth.". Cole, Sanders, Rosenberger, et al, would be proud!