'69 L-68 expansion tank usage?

[Warren F.]

I helped a friend purchase an early '69 L-68 coupe. This car is vin #2554. Before buying the car we both looked it over pretty well. There were issues to deal with, but overall a decent car. We couldn't see any signs of body damage/repair areas. Does this car call for an expansion tank? This car is very low optioned, only headrests, four speed, and 427/400hp engine option.

I don't have the '68, 69 TIM as I usually deal in '70 to '72 years.

[Dick W.]

Re: '69 L-68 expansion tank usage?

Unless it has A/C tank not required.

[Dick W.]

Re: '69 L-68 expansion tank usage?

Unless it has A/C tank not required.

[Joe L.]

Re: '69 L-68 expansion tank usage?

Warren-----

ALL 1969 big blocks utilized a radiator supply tank. Those with C-60 utilized a brass, cylindrical tank. All others used the familiar aluminum tank used for many 68-72 small blocks with aluminum radiator.

The same thing was true for all 70-72 big blocks, too.

[Joe L.]

Re: '69 L-68 expansion tank usage?

Warren-----

ALL 1969 big blocks utilized a radiator supply tank. Those with C-60 utilized a brass, cylindrical tank. All others used the familiar aluminum tank used for many 68-72 small blocks with aluminum radiator.

The same thing was true for all 70-72 big blocks, too.

[Warren F.]

Re: '69 L-68 expansion tank usage?

Dick & Joe,

Conflicting information...huh. This car's inner fender doesn't show any signs of ever having the mounting bracket riveted for the tank mounting. It does have a radiator with a cap, although the cap is aftermarket.

Bizzoco's 1969 Stingray Guide Book lists some 400hp cars without AC as having a surge tank, and of course the AC cars with the brass style tank. But it also lists some without AC and no mention of a tank.

I think Joe may be correct, as Bizzoco's book shows vin #00007 as 400hp, no AC, and surge tank.

[Warren F.]

Re: '69 L-68 expansion tank usage?

Dick & Joe,

Conflicting information...huh. This car's inner fender doesn't show any signs of ever having the mounting bracket riveted for the tank mounting. It does have a radiator with a cap, although the cap is aftermarket.

Bizzoco's 1969 Stingray Guide Book lists some 400hp cars without AC as having a surge tank, and of course the AC cars with the brass style tank. But it also lists some without AC and no mention of a tank.

I think Joe may be correct, as Bizzoco's book shows vin #00007 as 400hp, no AC, and surge tank.

[Joe L.]

Re: '69 L-68 expansion tank usage?

Warren------

No 1969 big block ever used a radiator with an integral cap---none whatsoever. There did not even exist such a radiator for a Corvette big block application at the time. The only 1969's that didn't use a radiator supply tank were small blocks with M-40 and/or C-60 and some L-46. These used a copper/brass radiator with a 26" core width and with an integral filler cap. I have no information that this radiator was ever installed on a big block. In fact, it couldn't have been used because there would have been no molded radiator hoses to fit the small block copper brass radiator used with a big block.

1973 was the first year that big blocks used a radiator with an integral cap and no external supply tank was used (although a coolant recovery system was used for the first time in a Corvette). Sometimes, these 1973-E76 radiators find their way onto earlier cars. However, if this car has no evidence of a supply tank ever having been mounted, then it's an original small block car that was converted to big block without the radiator being changed or it's a car that has the 73-E76 radiator and someone has replaced the right side inner fender.

[Joe L.]

Re: '69 L-68 expansion tank usage?

Warren------

No 1969 big block ever used a radiator with an integral cap---none whatsoever. There did not even exist such a radiator for a Corvette big block application at the time. The only 1969's that didn't use a radiator supply tank were small blocks with M-40 and/or C-60 and some L-46. These used a copper/brass radiator with a 26" core width and with an integral filler cap. I have no information that this radiator was ever installed on a big block. In fact, it couldn't have been used because there would have been no molded radiator hoses to fit the small block copper brass radiator used with a big block.

1973 was the first year that big blocks used a radiator with an integral cap and no external supply tank was used (although a coolant recovery system was used for the first time in a Corvette). Sometimes, these 1973-E76 radiators find their way onto earlier cars. However, if this car has no evidence of a supply tank ever having been mounted, then it's an original small block car that was converted to big block without the radiator being changed or it's a car that has the 73-E76 radiator and someone has replaced the right side inner fender.

[Joe L.]

Addendum

By the way, when the 73-E76 radiator is used in a 1969-72 big block application, the 1969-72 big block radiator hoses will fit fine.

[Joe L.]

Addendum

By the way, when the 73-E76 radiator is used in a 1969-72 big block application, the 1969-72 big block radiator hoses will fit fine.

[Warren F.]

Re: Addendum

Thanks Joe, we'll scrutinize this car very closely to see what all has been altered. Obviously something a miss.

[Warren F.]

Re: Addendum

Thanks Joe, we'll scrutinize this car very closely to see what all has been altered. Obviously something a miss.

[Michael B.]

Re: Addendum

My Oct 03, 1968 build date had one. ##3676

[Warren F.]

Re: Addendum

Mike,

Thanks for the reply and the picture. I'll show this to my friend with vin# 2554.