1963 Radiator 340HP

[Rob A.]

Here is a picture of the radiator in my 1963 survivor coupe. Can someone tell me if this it original? It does not have the Harrison decal. DeWitts is having a sale this month and if this radiator is not original I'm considering replacing it.

Thanks for the help!

[Leif A.]

Re: 1963 Radiator 340HP

No picture Rob. Even if it is original I would consider the new DeWitts...don't know how comfortable I would be riding around with a 54 year old radiator.

[Rob A.]

Re: 1963 Radiator 340HP

Here is the picture, sorry

[Bob J.]

Re: 1963 Radiator 340HP

No, it is not original.
Bob Jorjorian

[Rick A.]

Re: 1963 Radiator 340HP

agree with Junkie

[Richard M.]

Re: 1963 Radiator 340HP

I concur with Leif and Rick and Bob on all counts.

I was fortunate in '07 when we got our '63 coupe it had it's original 63A unit(Jan), late Feb built car, but I was always worried it would fail at a inopportune time. Surprisingly it's still holding liquids with the new owner since '10 in a far away place.

[Rob A.]

Re: 1963 Radiator 340HP

Thanks for the replies. Can you educate me on what visually makes it incorrect/non-original?

[Richard M.]

Re: 1963 Radiator 340HP

Rob, The telltale to me was the neck on the drivers side.

Here are some photos of the 63A from our coupe, which I think was the original. The only thing that was unusual was the center welded raised section for the upper rubber mount. It was discussed then that it was not the typical configuration. I just looked at my old 5th Edition JG and it should be 2" not 1 1/4" as I showed.

Maybe Bob and others can follow up with their thoughts.

edit....It appears it may be a brass replacement as it has a side tank. Originals were stacked plate aluminum.

Rich

[Richard H.]

Re: 1963 Radiator 340HP

Here is a similar shot of my Oct. '62 built car with it's original radiator.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1963 Radiator 340HP

Here is the picture, sorry

Rob-----


This is a copper/brass replacement radiator, for sure. After the GM discontinuation of the GM #3155316 radiator and before the DeWitts reproduction became available, this type of radiator was about the only choice if one needed a radiator for most 63-72 Corvette small blocks. Even when the GM radiator was still available many folks chose to go this route for cost reasons (about $200 versus about $700). I NEVER recommended these radiators, though. Among other reasons, they do not cool as well as the aluminum originals.

[Edward J.]

Re: 1963 Radiator 340HP

Rich, Good post, Not a lot of the 63 judges know about the bigger mounting tab on 63 only Radiators.

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1963 Radiator 340HP

Richard Heys,

I hope you don't mind me telling you this but your alternator belt is on the wrong pulley grooves. To be correct it goes on the forward pulleys on the crankshaft and water pump.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1963 Radiator 340HP

Rich, Good post, Not a lot of the 63 judges know about the bigger mounting tab on 63 only Radiators.

Edward, I never really got a definitive answer regarding my radiator. It just seemed odd that the question arose then regarding the width of that standoff tab. It's hard to imagine that it would have been replaced with a January 1963 built service replacement, but maybe warranty when delivered in late February. Who knows.

Rich

[Rob A.]

Re: 1963 Radiator 340HP

Thanks all for the input. I will order the DeWitts replacement. Now I will just have to figure out how to give it the right patina so it doesn't stand out.

[Stuart F.]

Re: 1963 Radiator 340HP

Had to replace my original 63 radiator in 1975 as when I changed the "uncle burn" from I believe Prestone to Zerex it started to leak like a sive from many places. Probably had some sort of chemical reaction. I've never used Zerex ever again for any of my cars. It may not have been the cause, but I had to blame something. So, my radiator is dated as a 1975 replacement, but this one has lasted well now for only 41+ years and still cools. I still keep a close eye on it for first sign of failure or inefficiency. Understand the crud starts building up inside from the bottom up over time.

Stu Fox