63 A or 63 B Radiator

[John D.]

Does anyone have an original 63 A or 63 B radiator they could take a look at and tell me if the large Harrison decal on it is thick on thin. Thin meaning like a piece of aluminum foil. Not interested in your restored radiators-just originals unmolested ones. Thanks, John D.

[Joe M.]

Re: 63 A or 63 B Radiator

John,

Do you mean the metal tags affixed to the radiator were of two thicknesses or was one a foil tag and the other a metal tag?

I have an original 62 H radiator with a thin metal tag and a 61, circa march, radiator with a thicker metal tag. Do 62s have a thick or thin metal tag or was the changeover during the 63 model year.

I did notice the 61 tag was affixed with rivets and the 63 tag was glued. Would this hold true for thicker and thinner 63 tags if two different metal tags were used?

Hope you get your info re the 63 A/B radiators.

Joe

[Stuart F.]

Re: 63 A or 63 B Radiator

John;

Good luck finding a real original. Mine gave up the ghost in 1975 with out much encouragement. I do recall, from my memory (?), it had a foil tag - very similar to the replacement tag I got for my mfg. 1975 replacement radiator. My build date was July 9th, 1963, but can't say I know what you mean by "A" or "B". I'm sure if you explained, I would say; "Oh Ya!"

Stu Fox

[John D.]

Re: 63 A or 63 B Radiator

John;

Good luck finding a real original. Mine gave up the ghost in 1975 with out much encouragement. I do recall, from my memory (?), it had a foil tag - very similar to the replacement tag I got for my mfg. 1975 replacement radiator. My build date was July 9th, 1963, but can't say I know what you mean by "A" or "B". I'm sure if you explained, I would say; "Oh Ya!"

Stu Fox

Stuart, I suggest you purchase an NCRS pocket spec guide as it is a good learning tool. I have 3 or 4 of them as I get many phone calls and guys expect I should know all this stuff (I don't). 63 A = January 63.. John D.

[John D.]

Re: 63 A or 63 B Radiator

Joe, I do know that the thicker metal tag is the same OD as the thinner one. I think both of them glue on. We will just have to wait to see what the time frame is on know original radiators. Maybe Jorjorian and others will speak up and put up a nice pic here. I learned many years ago (too late) never to store an aluminum rad empty. Always have anti-freeze&water in it or it rusts out very easily. John

[Mike E.]

Re: 63 A or 63 B Radiator

The changeover from metal plate to foil sticker took place during the 62 model year and is spelled out in the 61-62 JM. Iwould expect that all 63's should have a foil tag rather than a metal plate.

[Stuart F.]

Re: 63 A or 63 B Radiator

Ok John; You really got me on that one. Of course I have a pocket guide, but I don't usually transverse my date codes into my normal daily English speak. Guess you'll have to wait for a response from someone who has a January 63 or February 63 Radiator laying around their garage filled with anti freeze. Sorry I couldn't help. I'll refrain from sticking my two cents worth into your "vette speak" conversations in the future, and consider myself admonished.

Stu Fox

[Joe M.]

Re: 63 A or 63 B Radiator

I'll post a photo of the 62 H radiator top in the next day or so. Checking stuff as it pops up in the forum requires ladders, headlamps and acrobatics.

I had to do a double take on the 63 to see if the tag was foil or metal plate as it was very thin but indeed it was a metal plate.

Problem with the radiator is a cracked lower side tank due to freezing. This rad is a keepsake and hopefully some future 'medical' breakthrough in al repair with emerge.

Good tip re empty radiator stroage !!

Joe

[John D.]

Re: 63 A or 63 B Radiator

Stu, We are all here to learn the ABC's so to speak. That's why we have this forum. Thanks for participating as a lot of others just watch us bury ourserves and don't say anything. John

[Carl S.]

Re: 63 A or 63 B Radiator

I have a 63 SWC that had the original radiator Date code B. It had a thick label, not the foil label that the JG manual states. There is still a lot of folk lour out there that has become fact in the JG manual, because it is said over and over again. A lot of people do what the JG says to avoid a conflict with the judges thus perpetrating the error. I have photos if you would like, I could send them to you in an e-mail. I never could post a photo in the old system and have no idea how to do it in the new one yet. But I will try. My new e-mail address is ctvett@comcast.net. The new system is grate but I wish I could use my Word spelling checker, instead of that weird thing that wants to become the checker for your system.

[Arnold P.]

Re: 63 A or 63 B Radiator

hi,john it was good to meet you last week and discuss our swc's. i checked my original (not serviceable) radiator. my rad is 62j and it is the thick style. there're other issues, such as horn orientation for sure besides the rad placard. cheers,pappy

[John D.]

Re: 63 A or 63 B Radiator

hi,john it was good to meet you last week and discuss our swc's. i checked my original (not serviceable) radiator. my rad is 62j and it is the thick style. there're other issues, such as horn orientation for sure besides the rad placard. cheers,pappy

Arnold (pappy) and Carl, I do believe the new 5th states that my 63 B radiator should have the THICK Harrison decal or whatever you call it. So now I have at least three individuals that back this info up. Not trying to dispute the new manual. Just trying to learn this new info. Thanks very much for your help. Arnold it was great seeing you and your wife at Seven Springs. Your 63 split window is really a nice car.
Thanks for bringing it to our Pittsburgh chapter regional. I wonder where Nick has been on all these subjects? Nick has the blue split window that was across from you. Take care, John D.

[Nick M.]

Re: 63 A or 63 B Radiator

John

Hello out there in Corvette land! I've been packing up and moving my offices for the last week or so and barely have had time to breath let alone log onto this site which not only has great information and an abundance of good folk but perpetuates many sleepless nights which grants me ample time to suddenly sprint into my garage, uncover my car, search for a flashlight and probe into the wee hours of the night/early morning in search of originality or at least some semblance of it! Great seeing you at 7 Springs with the "little white car" as well as the host of other owners and enthusiasts that I met.

[John D.]

Re: 63 A or 63 B Radiator

HI Nick, I was wondering what happened to you. Thanks again for bring your blue 63 FI car to our chapters regional. I know how hard you worked on getting it together in time for the show. It sure looked nice. Take care and good night, John

[Nick M.]

Re: 63 A or 63 B Radiator

John

Whatever you do, don't float one of those interesting questions, like you always seem to do, that forces me to run out to the garage for some CSI type work. It's too late and I'm sooooooooooooo tired!

nice to see you at the Regional and meet nice folks like Pappy and his wife (and all of the wonderful judges, of course). Thanks for the kind words about my blue car. Over and out!