1966 early radiator support version #1 survey

[Vernon S.]

Re: 1966 early radiator support version #1 survey

Bill,

Here is the picture.

Skip Steinmann

[Michael H.]

Re: 1966 early radiator support version #1 survey

66 425 HP, built mid November 65. St Louis body.

[Joe F.]

Re: 1966 early radiator support version #1 survey

Sept 65 build, VIN 15XX, A24 date on the trim tag, St Louis coupe body, small block, C60 where one of the refrigerant lines passes over the top of the core support and the other passes through a pre-punched hole. Hood support is on driver's side. It will be interesting to hear your findings. Thanks, Joe

[Bill C.]

Re: 1966 early radiator support version #1 survey

Sept 65 build, VIN 15XX, A24 date on the trim tag, St Louis coupe body, small block, C60 where one of the refrigerant lines passes over the top of the core support and the other passes through a pre-punched hole. Hood support is on driver's side. It will be interesting to hear your findings. Thanks, Joe

Joe,
Thanks , curious, is your hood hand modified for the lh hood support mounting bracket in the hood frame?
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

Now that more cars are out compared to being stored for winter, can others take a look at their 66's and respond?
Thanks again to all!

[Jim S.]

Re: 1966 early radiator support version #1 survey

Bill ,

Here are a few pictures of my 66 small block with A/C .
I estimate it to be a May 1st 66 car. (209xx) AO Smith body.

Hope this helps and let me know the results of your survey.

Jim

[Wayne W.]

Re: 1966 early radiator support version #1 survey

Just to add one more. Serial # 11842. SB,AC, AOS