65 327 A/C upper radiator seal question

[John C.]

Need a little clarification on upper radiator seal for a 65 327 car with air. Mine had the seal, which is most likely the original. It has a small split in it most likely due to age, so I decided to go ahead and replace it even though the car is for the most part unrestored.
Problem is; neither Long Island or Corvette central shows the seal for a 65, only for 66-67. Anybody know why a replacement isn't being shown ?
JC

[Bob W.]

Re: 65 327 A/C upper radiator seal question

John If you are lookjng for the seal that gose across the top of the radiator Dr Rebuild has it. The part # is12745396 or 1274506 page 28. If that is not what you are looking for look at page 29-32.

Bob

[John C.]

Re: 65 327 A/C upper radiator seal question

Thanks Bob. I went to Dr rebuild's site and saw the seal, but just like on the other sites ( L.I.), they are only showing it available for the 66 &67. I'm sure it would probably work, but not showing it for the 65 makes me wonder if it was a factory item on the 65 ????? It is shown for the 65 396, but not the 327.
JC

[Bob W.]

Re: 65 327 A/C upper radiator seal question

John Is your car a late 1966 car? or may dealer installed ?

Bob

[Michael M.]

[John C.]

Re: 65 327 A/C upper radiator seal question

That's what I'm thinking. Maybe someone installed it in an attempt to either help the cooling aspect or improve the A/C ability. I have come to realize GM did mix some items through the years, like the spring hook for the jack, some being single hook and some double hook. My car is a May 10th 65 production car which is towards the end of the 65 production line, maybe by then GM realized the upper seal was needed and began to add the part as part of OEM production ???? There are guys out there that know every nut and bolt on all the C-2's, maybe someone will chime in and straighten us rookies out on how it really was !
JC

[Bob W.]

Re: 65 327 A/C upper radiator seal question

John Someone else posted about this seal and either Leif or Stu posted that they use one on their 63 with a/c and it helps with cooling. That is how i found out about it . I plan on useing one on my 63 swc.

Bob

[John C.]

Re: 65 327 A/C upper radiator seal question

Funny that you responded with that reply, my wife and I were taking down the Christmas tree and I was thinking " I guess I'll go ahead and buy one for a 66 and install it just to help with cooling " and low and behold, you replied. Thank you Bob ! It can't hurt, it's easily removed if someone down the road doesn't want it on the car due to being incorrect for a 65. Interesting though that the 65 didn't have it from the factory.
Thanks everyone for your input !!!
JC

[Bob W.]

Re: 65 327 A/C upper radiator seal question

Thats what's were here for to help one another.

Bob

[Loren L.]

Re: 65 327 A/C upper radiator seal question

#23561 has no sign of a seal.

[James W.]

Re: 65 327 A/C upper radiator seal question

1965 Corvette #22095 with a/c, owned since 1974 does not have the seal.

[John C.]

Re: 65 327 A/C upper radiator seal question

Good to know. I'm a 18494 car, so if yours didn't have it, mine certainly didn't have it. Thx James & Loren !
JC

[Michael M.]

Re: 65 327 A/C upper radiator seal question

Funny that you responded with that reply, my wife and I were taking down the Christmas tree and I was thinking " I guess I'll go ahead and buy one for a 66 and install it just to help with cooling " and low and behold, you replied. Thank you Bob ! It can't hurt, it's easily removed if someone down the road doesn't want it on the car due to being incorrect for a 65. Interesting though that the 65 didn't have it from the factory.
Thanks everyone for your input !!!
JC

That's exactly what I did. My '67 doesn't have AC but I figured it couldn't hurt. The seal and clips are pretty inconspicuous and could be removed quickly without causing any damage.

[Tony S.]

Re: 65 327 A/C upper radiator seal question

In 1965, only the '65 396 cars had an upper core support seal installed beginning with car 16736, but the seal was used to stop a hood fluttering noise--not for cooling. The '65 A/C cars used a 7 bladed fan instead of the typical 5 bladed fan for increased cooling.

[John C.]

Re: 65 327 A/C upper radiator seal question

Thank you Tony. I do have the 7 blade fan, went through that issue last winter when I replaced the water pump with a correct Bill Mock special, correctly dated too. I'm not expecting a cooling problem since I replaced the radiator also. Just wanted to get the car back to as correct as I can.
I'll try the A/C this coming spring / summer to see how it handles the Memphis summer heat.
Thanks everyone for your expertise !
JC