C-1 1960 Aluminum Radiator

[Jerry C.]

Does the lower drain have a pipe extension like 61/62's? The assembly manual just shows two drain hoses coming out the lower hole. Thanks in advance.

[David D.]

Re: C-1 1960 Aluminum Radiator

Jerry, My old top tank radiator had a tube on it so I put one on the new radiator from DeWitts.

[Jim D.]

Re: C-1 1960 Aluminum Radiator

Jerry, My old top tank radiator had a tube on it so I put one on the new radiator from DeWitts.

Mine did as well.

Jim

[Loren L.]

Troublemakers

Well, this is what happens when people don't just install the tube draincock and leave well enough alone. I, also, had installed the tube, but when I saw this question, I said "Better check.". Dammit!
I'm looking at a blueprint for radiator #3147516, released 3/30/59 and reflecting changes made up through 6/8/61. I cannot find any change reference to the drain cock.
This blueprint calls out #3130818 draincock and assigns #3148147 to the RUBBER HOSE that fits over the draincock and goes through the hole in the radiator support. The Hose is called out as 6.5" long.
The curiosity is that of the 3 1960 and 1961 parts books that I have,
NONE call out what the draincock should be for a 1960 Corvette 270 and 290 HP.
No 3130818 is listed in Group 1.229, either.

[Jim D.]

Re: C-1 1960 Aluminum Radiator

I think Tom DeWitt might have the research/documentation needed to settle this. In Noland Adams book (pg.276) it shows an original "516" rad. with the tube.

[Jerry C.]

Re: C-1 1960 Aluminum Radiator

I was asking about the lower draincock and wheather it had the 61/62 extension and coupler to bring it out the bottom of the core support. Thanks

[David D.]

Re: C-1 1960 Aluminum Radiator

I know the component design folks seldom worked on a completed assemblies, so, how do you reckon you opened/closed the draincock if there was no extension? Loren, are saying there was a ruber hose at the draincock to extend the drainage past the support?

[Stewart A.]

Re: C-1 1960 Aluminum Radiator

I have been draining my radiator latley because of over heating problems. It goes everywhere when draining out of the draincock. It would make sense if there was a rubber hose connected to it. So is there meant to be a wee hose on there or not.

[Loren L.]

Re: C-1 1960 Aluminum Radiator

I know the component design folks seldom worked on a completed assemblies, so, how do you reckon you opened/closed the draincock if there was no extension? Loren, are saying there was a ruber hose at the draincock to extend the drainage past the support?

According to this print, yes.

[Gary C.]

Re: C-1 1960 Aluminum Radiator

'61 P&A shows Drain coupling in group 1.229 1/4 tapered pipe 1 9/16" long for 58-60 Corvette, part no. 3663932 No mention of a rubber hose on the draincock for 59-60 in any radiator related parts category. Neither are there any Corvette draincock related illustrations in any of the 59-62 Special Information Catalog which are parts illustrations. Gary....

[David D.]

Re: C-1 1960 Aluminum Radiator

Two people come to mind when we talk about this type of topic:

1. Dale Pearman used to ask, 'Were you there when they built this car', and

2. Phil Hawkins, when being bombarded by these types of questions at NCRS gatherings would respond, 'At the plant we were all just putting groceries on the table, we didn't think about building classics.'

R.I.P.

[Loren L.]

Re: C-1 1960 Aluminum Radiator

'61 P&A shows Drain coupling in group 1.229 1/4 tapered pipe 1 9/16" long for 58-60 Corvette, part no. 3663932 No mention of a rubber hose on the draincock for 59-60 in any radiator related parts category. Neither are there any Corvette draincock related illustrations in any of the 59-62 Special Information Catalog which are parts illustrations. Gary....

So according to the Chestnut school of Reading, we can ignore the parenthetical material that is PART OF THE LISTING FOR THAT PART#:

"(exc. 4BC, F.I. w/H.L. Cam)".

That parenthetical should read "w/dual 4/BC" as it does 4 lines later when it describes part #3150906:

"61 CORVETTE w/dual 4BC, F.I. (1st design),
61 CORVETTE (2nd design) w/extension...3150906"

3150906 is obviously the "tube" draincock that we dummies have installed in our cars; in my case, I had an original top tank installed by Dewitt on
the new radiator that I purchased from him - he included the 61-2 extension and I installed it - now apparently in error.

[Gary C.]

Re: C-1 1960 Aluminum Radiator

Loren, thanks for the correction. Group 1.229 in the 1961 P&A doesn't have a listing specifically for a 1960 with 4BC, FI, w/HL Cam. The 1962 P&A does show '60-61 w/HL Cam 1st design as part no. 3150906. Scans of both P&A's attached. Gary....

[Stewart A.]

Re: C-1 1960 Aluminum Radiator

Good thread !! I love the were you there when they were building these cars. I will be using that line in the future.
I just don't see why they never put a rubber hose on the draincock because it would help catch my $59.95 worth of coolant that ends up on the floor and then Boso myself slipping on it and ending up on my ar##.

[Gary C.]

Re: C-1 1960 Aluminum Radiator

Stewart, according to the '62 P&A part no. 3150906 for 60 aluminum radiators (HL Cams) had an extension same as 61-2. Check previous post for copy of the P&A group 1.229 Gary....