Expansion tank on 1970

[Chris L.]

Were any 70 L46 cars equipped with an expansion tank? I have seen them both ways...with and without. Which is correct? THanks

[Jim T.]

Re: Expansion tank on 1970

Chris did all the L46 Corvettes you saw without an expansion tank have factory air conditioning?

[Jack H.]

Re: Expansion tank on 1970

The Judging Guide clarifies this... First, remember the base engine car and the optional L46 SB tend to look alike and you can confuse one for the other!

Next, SB, BASE engine cars for '70-72 used a small Harrison aluminum radiator and that entailed the use of an expansion tank.

Last, when certain heat producing options were added to the car (A/C, A/T or 1970 only the L46 option), the radiator changed to a small Harrison brass unit. These radiators did NOT use an external expansion tank and provided internal expansion space.

[Chris L.]

Re: Expansion tank on 1970

Jim...I can't remember whether they had A/C or not. Mine is an original L46 and does not have the expansion tank. I have seen L46 car that were suposedly numbers matching cars, although I did not personally verify it, and the had the expansion tank. So , it's a bit confusing. Was the radiator bigger on a L46 than the standard motor? THanks
Chris

[Joe L.]

Re: Expansion tank on 1970

Jim...I can't remember whether they had A/C or not. Mine is an original L46 and does not have the expansion tank. I have seen L46 car that were suposedly numbers matching cars, although I did not personally verify it, and the had the expansion tank. So , it's a bit confusing. Was the radiator bigger on a L46 than the standard motor? THanks
Chris

Chris-----


I would not rule out the POSSIBILITY that a few 1970 with L-46 and WITHOUT C-60 MAY have originally been equipped with an aluminum radiator and aluminum supply tank. However, IF it occurred it would definitely have been the extreme exception rather than the rule. Early 1969 L-46 were often equipped with the aluminum radiator and supply tank. However, that practice basically ceased in later 1969 and I really doubt that it returned for the 1970 model year.

[Dennis D.]

Re: Expansion tank on 1970

Been down this road before. Unless you can REALLY document your 70 L-46 has an original 316 radiator/ metal shroud, and expansion tank, I would say the 70 L-46 should have the copper/ brass LT1 variety radiator and the plastic '109 shroud..... no expansion tank

[Chris L.]

Re: Expansion tank on 1970

Dennis ...where is the number on the radiator? What am I looking for? Thanks

[Dennis D.]

Re: Expansion tank on 1970

Dennis ...where is the number on the radiator? What am I looking for? Thanks

I assume you mean the aluminum rad. Here's a pic of the driver side and the metal shroud. Posted this for someone looking for the nice factory staples on the rubber shroud seal . The rad number is on the top of the rad on that side. (3155316)



You can see the number here just left of the stamp (borrowed from Dewitts)


Bonus pics of steel shroud and lower baffle

[Jack H.]

Re: Expansion tank on 1970

The '316 number referenced is an abbreviation of the Harrison small aluminum radiator's PN, 3155316. This was embossed in the top, LH, side of the radiator adjacent to the inlet neck along with a date code and factory original rubber ink stamp, inspector's mark.

If you have the small Harrison copper/brass radiator, you won't find an identifying PN emboss on the top side of the radiator. The ID was effected with a tag attached to the side of the radiator that's often obscured by the radiator support.