1963 Core Support?

[Bruce B.]

Is this core support from a carbureted or FI 63 coupe?
All info is appreciated.
Bruce B

[Jim L.]

Re: 1963 Core Support?

I don't see a picture, Bruce.

[Bruce B.]

Re: 1963 Core Support?

Jim,
Sorry about the lack of picture.
But the core support has a large oval hole in the lower part of the drivers side of the core support.
Actually the engine is stamped RF indicating FI.
Bruce B

[Joe R.]

Re: 1963 Core Support?

Bruce,

The hole for the FI Air Cleaner is in the left upper on a 63-65 Radiator Core Support.

63's are unique and 64-65 core supports are the same.

JR

[Chuck G.]

Re: 1963 Core Support?

Here's a photo of a 63 only FI core support. Note the position of the opening for the FI "S" tube.

Note the 2 bulges in the lower front, near where the horns would mount.

64/65 do not have the bulges.

[William C.]

Re: 1963 Core Support?

No picture, but the FI version has a hole where the FA aircleaner is attached. No hole if for carbureted car. Fairly god size hole on Drivers side.

[John D.]

Re: 1963 Core Support?

Nice Pic Dr. Chuck. What confused the 63 to 65 radiator supports in the old days and maybe a little today was Chevy Parts listing the part 63-65. JD

[Frank D.]

Re: 1963 Core Support?

I went to great pains to get an original 63 radiator core support for my 63 when having the nose repaired. The Coffman repros are OK but they didn't have the small oval stamped hole for the Powerglide coolant lines as the late 63s had.... (just under where the voltage regulator mounts)...

Its all about the details!

[Loren L.]

Re: 1963 Core Support?

To point to a difference in "Then" and "Now", I can remember a Bloomington in the late '80s where in a full class of 10 '63s, there was One correct radiator support.

[Bob R.]

Re: 1963 Core Support?

I have noticed some original 63's with and without that hole for the automatic transmission cooling lines I don't think all 63's had that hole. My May car does have it though.

[Frank D.]

Re: 1963 Core Support?

I have noticed some original 63's with and without that hole for the automatic transmission cooling lines I don't think all 63's had that hole. My May car does have it though.

Correct. It was a mid-production year change in 63. I have the document somewhere, can't remember if its a TSB or a note on the AIM page...

[Marco H.]

Re: 1963 Core Support?

Coffman will make you a 63 core support with the cooler line hole. My March built 63 has the hole and Coffman made me a new support to my specs. (Taking about details, they sent me the part uncoated per my request, so I can dip paint it like original.)

I went to great pains to get an original 63 radiator core support for my 63 when having the nose repaired. The Coffman repros are OK but they didn't have the small oval stamped hole for the Powerglide coolant lines as the late 63s had.... (just under where the voltage regulator mounts)...

Its all about the details!

[Frank D.]

Re: 1963 Core Support?

Coffman will make you a 63 core support with the cooler line hole. My March built 63 has the hole and Coffman made me a new support to my specs. (Taking about details, they sent me the part uncoated per my request, so I can dip paint it like original.)

That's good to know.....

I had a chance to get an original one off a one-owner 63 convertible so I went for it.....along with the nose support rods and several other front end parts..

[Jim L.]

Re: 1963 Core Support?

I have noticed some original 63's with and without that hole for the automatic transmission cooling lines I don't think all 63's had that hole. My May car does have it though.

You are correct; that hole was added after PowerGlide cars got transmission oil coolers.

My October '62 built '63 (with PG) does NOT have the hole. My (former) January '63 built '63 (with 4 speed) did have it.