1966 Spare tire and Radiator Question

[Barry J.]

Looking for assistance on restoring my rad. see attached photo. Its appears to be the original 427/425 brass/copper and I would like to just replace the core and keep the side jugs and necks. I spoke with the folks at Dewitts and they only sale new not restore.......

Also, can anyone identify a original 1966 spare wheel/tire? see photos?

Any info. would be appreciated.
Thank

[Jerry M.]

Re: 1966 Spare tire and Radiator Question

Barry
From your pics it appears you have the correct radiator for a 66 427. Unless things have changed, you should be able to buy just the core from Tom DeWitt, which is a very nice replacement for your original.
You can also buy the whole radiator from them but I felt that their side tanks were a little wavy, so I recored mine using their core and my side tanks.
Look for a good, probably old, radiator shop to solder in the core. I used an old radiator shop up in Mt. Vernon Ohio run by an older gentleman who had built street rods all of his life. Seek recomendations and look for samples of the shop's work. I've seen some re-cores that looked horible due to sloppy solder work.
Jerry

[Steven S.]

Re: 1966 Spare tire and Radiator Question

Hi Barry,
From what I see of the wheel it looks correct, I'm not well informed on original rubber though. Like Jerry said above, you need to find a good 'ol radiatior shop, many of them faded away over the years. I just had an original L72 rad done last summer by a local shop and was pleased with their work, a couple of older guys in a dirty old shop, but they knew what they were doing. Most shops should be able to get you a correct core, ask them to reuse the top and bottom rails as the new ones will not have the "correct" holes (not important from a functionality standpoint). The DeWitts core may have correct rails included(?).

Good luck,
Steve

[Mike M.]

Re: 1966 Spare tire and Radiator Question

Barry,
in addition to the good suggestions above, in re-using the side tanks, I would recommend that "Your Guy" save and use the top and bottom plates and make sure they are properly returned to top and bottom if you plan on having the car judged.
If your wheel has the two stamped bumps on either side of the valve stem, it looks like the real deal.
However, the molded number series on the outer edge of the tire in your pic look totally strange compared to typical factory production.
The 6 digit serial number appears to be in the correct vintage range.
Perhaps someone can decipher and chime in.
HaND

[Ronald L.]

Re: 1966 Spare tire and Radiator Question

You spoke to the wrong person at DeWitts, so did I the first time.

Ask for John, he is a great guy and very knowledgeable they sell the pieces and a complete unit. And probably remember "my/his" discussion.

Due to very little copper rad business (their main line is aluminum) they have a local shop do the solder for the copper cores.

I am at the same point, rework the old or get new. The entire unit which has the PN tag ... that I do not see in your photo ...is 700, core alone 340. I'm close enough I'd just go there, but expect an uptic for shipping and if purchased through the other big houses, no discount, tax etc.

For 66 big block, these are the only correct parts around. And they know who has bought what, for example there was a shop in Auburn Hills that picked up many 68-72 bb rads, but these are for auto trans application are are selling at a discounted 299.

The price you pay for having the first year 66 427...

On the tire - I have tried a couple different angles, old tire engineers, BFG, Firestone, etc to get the secret behind the codes. No luck so far, and the first thing they warn is that <<<<ANY>>> old tire with air in it is dangerous. Old rubber can give way unexpectedly and explode. Similar to open questions on fuel pumps no one knows someone that has the definitive answer. Given that I'd need to see more details to see if it is similar to what I have researched.

[Barry J.]

Re: 1966 Spare tire and Radiator Question

Ronald, will Dewitt's restore my rad. and use their local shop? I'll call back on Monday and ask for John....

Thanks
Barry

[Dick W.]

Re: 1966 Spare tire and Radiator Question

From the experience we had when we operated a radiator shop, I would be leary of your old tanks. They become brittle, sometimes referred to as "rotten" with age. I believe it is actually work hardening from expansion and contraction over the years. If DeWitt thinks they are OK, I would not worry too much about it.

[Ronald L.]

Re: 1966 Spare tire and Radiator Question

See if John will give you that reference. I see no reason they would not. My take is to just just get the entire assembly new so I did not ask him for the name of the shop. I bet if you pulled up a map of where they are and then looked for associated automotive and radiator shops you'd probably find who they are using before they open Monday morning.

If they do not, let me know and I can ask the climate guys I know for the name of a good shop.

As far as the end tanks, it is more the corrosion that embrittles and weakens the metal. In a former life I actually had resp for all of GM coolant quality and supply. With these old cars this is a tough battle as once the block and other components begin to corrode that process is hard to stop. You have to change the fluid, just because it is green does not mean it has the anti corrosive properties any more. Sort of like taking vitamins. If you do use your tanks, make sure they look them over close for any erosion issues usually seen near areas of high flow. This radiator is hardly constrained so it is more vibration and pressure that become issues if it is mounted with out torsional stress, inclusive of the hoses.