1966 early radiator support version #1 survey

[Bill C.]

Re: 1966 early radiator support version #1 survey

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[Bill C.]

Re: 1966 early radiator support version #1 survey

Hi,
Need more participation! Please take a moment and take alook or a pic of yours!
Thanks!

[Greg T.]

Re: 1966 early radiator support version #1 survey

This is a late September SN 1430 (an old Tom Dingman car) 327-350 no air. It had damage present described by the owner from 1978.

[Bryan M.]

Re: 1966 early radiator support version #1 survey

What's the oblong hole for?

[Bill C.]

Re: 1966 early radiator support version #1 survey

Greg,
Thanks for the pic and the info! Thats a version #1 support
Bill

[Bill C.]

Re: 1966 early radiator support version #1 survey

Bryan,
That hole was used to pass the two rubber hoses through that carried transmission fluid to the oil cooler on powerglide models
Bill

[Bill C.]

Re: 1966 early radiator support version #1 survey

Hi to all 1966 owners!

Doing a survey for research, If you own a 1966 model bb or sb A/C or not and it has an original radiator support can you check something on yours for this survey?

On the RH side of all models, above the "oval hole" in the support where the rubber hoses for an automatic versions rubber lines for the cooler would pass through there were additional holes put into the support for a/c refrigerant lines, again, these were installed in all supports regardless of options or engine size.

Version #1 as I refer to it , is generally only seen on very early cars as it has NO additional holes for the refrigerant lines to pass through. These would have been manufactured for use based on the first designed refrigerant line design which never saw production as it was quickly discovered that that design would interfere with the hood support which was on the RH side. This is shown as the many pages of original A/C design pages that are stamped cancelled in the assembly manual.

This is the reason why the support was moved to the LH side and some very early BB cars did have the hood support on the RH side.

It was then quickly decided to move the support to the LH side and Put ONE hole in the support in order to pass one refrigerant line through it.
This support design I refer to as version #2 and appears to be the only design ever used in production on an air conditioned car.
THIS IS THE LINE SET REFERED TO AS "EARLY 66" IN CATALOGS.

Sometime later in 1966 the radiator support was again redesigned and an additional hole was added in order to pass both refrigerant lines through the support, one would assume this was done again because of continued interference problems with the hood on SB A/C cars, this design support remained that way through the end of model year 1967 unchanged This support I refer to as version #3
The line set for this support in 1966 model year is refered to as "Late 66" in catalogs.

I am hoping to get some feedback from members on which support you have, including vin#, AOS or St Loius, engine size and options. Pics would even be better if added to your response.

I would like to determine how long into the year version #1 was used ( I have seen it on sb and bb cars, non-a/c cars till end of Dec. in both AOS and St Louis bodies) It is of interest how many of this version would have been manufactured before that first design package was cancelled and it appears were used anyway in a non-A/C car as it did not make any difference and the parts had to be used.

This would have been one of those circumstances I think where the parts were put on the line and the line guys were instructed to use them until gone but NOT for an air conditioned car

Hoping I get plenty of responses here or privately if you prefer not share individual specific info.

I would welcome others thoughts on this also!

Thanks in advance for your efforts!

Bill Caldwell

Need more input! Thanks to those who have responded.

[Gary B.]

66 radiator support version

Bill,

My '66 is an L79, no options of any kind, VIN 26,8xx, St. Louis body, July 20, 66 build date. It definitely has version #3, which is probably no surprise.

Gary

[Robert T.]

Re: 1966 early radiator support version #1 survey

Hello Bill,

Hope these help. Not the best pictures, They are from a late Sept 65 car.

Bob

[Bill C.]

Re: 1966 early radiator support version #1 survey

Doing a survey for research, If you own a 1966 model bb or sb A/C or not and it has an original radiator support can you check something on yours for this survey?

On the RH side of all models, above the "oval hole" in the support where the rubber hoses for an automatic versions rubber lines for the cooler would pass through there were additional holes put into the support for a/c refrigerant lines, again, these were installed in all supports regardless of options or engine size.

Version #1 as I refer to it , is generally only seen on very early cars as it has NO additional holes for the refrigerant lines to pass through. These would have been manufactured for use based on the first designed refrigerant line design which never saw production as it was quickly discovered that that design would interfere with the hood support which was on the RH side. This is shown as the many pages of original A/C design pages that are stamped cancelled in the assembly manual.

This is the reason why the support was moved to the LH side and some very early BB cars did have the hood support on the RH side.

It was then quickly decided to move the support to the LH side and Put ONE hole in the support in order to pass one refrigerant line through it.
This support design I refer to as version #2 and appears to be the only design ever used in production on an air conditioned car.
THIS IS THE LINE SET REFERED TO AS "EARLY 66" IN CATALOGS.

Sometime later in 1966 the radiator support was again redesigned and an additional hole was added in order to pass both refrigerant lines through the support, one would assume this was done again because of continued interference problems with the hood on SB A/C cars, this design support remained that way through the end of model year 1967 unchanged This support I refer to as version #3
The line set for this support in 1966 model year is refered to as "Late 66" in catalogs.

I am hoping to get some feedback from members on which support you have, including vin#, AOS or St Loius, engine size and options. Pics would even be better if added to your response.

I would like to determine how long into the year version #1 was used ( I have seen it on sb and bb cars, non-a/c cars till end of Dec. in both AOS and St Louis bodies) It is of interest how many of this version would have been manufactured before that first design package was cancelled and it appears were used anyway in a non-A/C car as it did not make any difference and the parts had to be used.

This would have been one of those circumstances I think where the parts were put on the line and the line guys were instructed to use them until gone but NOT for an air conditioned car

Hoping I get plenty of responses here or privately if you prefer not share individual specific info.

I would welcome others thoughts on this also!

Thanks in advance for your efforts!

Bill Caldwell[/quote]

Hoping for more response, thanks to those who have! Do you have the opportunity to note someones car who may not have access to this post?
With their permission of course, post those cars also,
Thanks!

[Dave B.]

Re: 1966 early radiator support version #1 survey

Bill,
I have a Mar 4, 66 assembled, Feb 22, 66 body-built A O Smith L-79 convertible. VIN 156xx. Only engine bay associated options are PB and tele steering column. The radiator support has one hole above the oblong hole.
Hope this helps.
Dave

[Bill C.]

Re: 1966 early radiator support version #1 survey

More input! Thanks again to those who have responded!

[Tom D.]

Re: 1966 early radiator support version #1 survey

Bill: Here is my second photo for this survey, from a second example of one of the best model years for Chevrolet.

It's an inside view from above right front of '66 Corvette Coupe number 8998 (E10). The body number is A1702, which I translate to about 1/10/1966.

This car has no indication of any body damage. I have known the car and the owner since the mid 70's. There was an early engine swap, but I have no information that would indicate this part is not original.

Note the fan shroud - probably not original...

/td

[Vernon S.]

Re: 1966 early radiator support version #1 survey

Hi Bill;
Attached you will find a picture of the radiator support in my 66 big block a/c car. There is only one hole above the oval hole and one a/c line goes throught it. The other line goes over the top of the support. I slid the grommet back so it woud be easier to see the line that passes through the support. I have owned this vehicle for over 40 years and I am certain it is the original support. My 66 was made in St. Louis on Nov. 5, 1965 and the vin is 5015.

Skip Steinmann

Doing a survey for research, If you own a 1966 model bb or sb A/C or not and it has an original radiator support can you check something on yours for this survey?

On the RH side of all models, above the "oval hole" in the support where the rubber hoses for an automatic versions rubber lines for the cooler would pass through there were additional holes put into the support for a/c refrigerant lines, again, these were installed in all supports regardless of options or engine size.

Version #1 as I refer to it , is generally only seen on very early cars as it has NO additional holes for the refrigerant lines to pass through. These would have been manufactured for use based on the first designed refrigerant line design which never saw production as it was quickly discovered that that design would interfere with the hood support which was on the RH side. This is shown as the many pages of original A/C design pages that are stamped cancelled in the assembly manual.

This is the reason why the support was moved to the LH side and some very early BB cars did have the hood support on the RH side.

It was then quickly decided to move the support to the LH side and Put ONE hole in the support in order to pass one refrigerant line through it.
This support design I refer to as version #2 and appears to be the only design ever used in production on an air conditioned car.
THIS IS THE LINE SET REFERED TO AS "EARLY 66" IN CATALOGS.

Sometime later in 1966 the radiator support was again redesigned and an additional hole was added in order to pass both refrigerant lines through the support, one would assume this was done again because of continued interference problems with the hood on SB A/C cars, this design support remained that way through the end of model year 1967 unchanged This support I refer to as version #3
The line set for this support in 1966 model year is refered to as "Late 66" in catalogs.

I am hoping to get some feedback from members on which support you have, including vin#, AOS or St Loius, engine size and options. Pics would even be better if added to your response.

I would like to determine how long into the year version #1 was used ( I have seen it on sb and bb cars, non-a/c cars till end of Dec. in both AOS and St Louis bodies) It is of interest how many of this version would have been manufactured before that first design package was cancelled and it appears were used anyway in a non-A/C car as it did not make any difference and the parts had to be used.

This would have been one of those circumstances I think where the parts were put on the line and the line guys were instructed to use them until gone but NOT for an air conditioned car

Hoping I get plenty of responses here or privately if you prefer not share individual specific info.

I would welcome others thoughts on this also!

Thanks in advance for your efforts!

Bill Caldwell

Hoping for more response, thanks to those who have! Do you have the opportunity to note someones car who may not have access to this post?
With their permission of course, post those cars also,
Thanks![/quote]

Hi to all 1966 owners!

Doing a survey for research, If you own a 1966 model bb or sb A/C or not and it has an original radiator support can you check something on yours for this survey?

On the RH side of all models, above the "oval hole" in the support where the rubber hoses for an automatic versions rubber lines for the cooler would pass through there were additional holes put into the support for a/c refrigerant lines, again, these were installed in all supports regardless of options or engine size.

Version #1 as I refer to it , is generally only seen on very early cars as it has NO additional holes for the refrigerant lines to pass through. These would have been manufactured for use based on the first designed refrigerant line design which never saw production as it was quickly discovered that that design would interfere with the hood support which was on the RH side. This is shown as the many pages of original A/C design pages that are stamped cancelled in the assembly manual.

This is the reason why the support was moved to the LH side and some very early BB cars did have the hood support on the RH side.

It was then quickly decided to move the support to the LH side and Put ONE hole in the support in order to pass one refrigerant line through it.
This support design I refer to as version #2 and appears to be the only design ever used in production on an air conditioned car.
THIS IS THE LINE SET REFERED TO AS "EARLY 66" IN CATALOGS.

Sometime later in 1966 the radiator support was again redesigned and an additional hole was added in order to pass both refrigerant lines through the support, one would assume this was done again because of continued interference problems with the hood on SB A/C cars, this design support remained that way through the end of model year 1967 unchanged This support I refer to as version #3
The line set for this support in 1966 model year is refered to as "Late 66" in catalogs.

I am hoping to get some feedback from members on which support you have, including vin#, AOS or St Loius, engine size and options. Pics would even be better if added to your response.

I would like to determine how long into the year version #1 was used ( I have seen it on sb and bb cars, non-a/c cars till end of Dec. in both AOS and St Louis bodies) It is of interest how many of this version would have been manufactured before that first design package was cancelled and it appears were used anyway in a non-A/C car as it did not make any difference and the parts had to be used.

This would have been one of those circumstances I think where the parts were put on the line and the line guys were instructed to use them until gone but NOT for an air conditioned car

Hoping I get plenty of responses here or privately if you prefer not share individual specific info.

I would welcome others thoughts on this also!

Thanks in advance for your efforts!

Bill Caldwell

[Jim S.]

Re: 1966 early radiator support version #1 survey

Attached is a photo of mine from VIN 1861. I have owned the vehicle for about 40 years and don't think it has ever been completely removed.

Jim