C2 Radiator

[Harry S.]

I have a 63 radiator 63F from a July car. It has the 16 CT stamp on the top.

Question: are there any identifying marks on an original radiator that would distinguish it from a reproduction?

I know anything, (repaint, labels, etc.) could have happened, I'm just looking to take some pictures for judging purposes before I trash it. It is full of holes.

Thanks

[Richard M.]

Re: C2 Radiator

Harry, Check this thread......

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...120#post324120

It talks about the width of the top mounting boss as a possible clue.

Rich

[John M.]

Re: C2 Radiator

Harry,
I have a Harrison in my 65. One thing that's different is the aluminum plate that forms the top of the radiator is pretty rough.
I thought it was just the paint but when I blasted it off it was actually the aluminum surface. The Dewitt's are smooth as silk. This Harrison is a GM replcement from 1976.
John

[Michael H.]

Re: C2 Radiator

On the top and bottom left side of the surface of the radiator there should be a C shape mark made by a claping tool that is only on original radiators, they are not on the Dewitt's.

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 Radiator

I have a 63 radiator 63F from a July car. It has the 16 CT stamp on the top.

Question: are there any identifying marks on an original radiator that would distinguish it from a reproduction?

I know anything, (repaint, labels, etc.) could have happened, I'm just looking to take some pictures for judging purposes before I trash it. It is full of holes.

Thanks

Harry------


If it's full of holes it almost does not matter what its pedigree is-----it's non-repairable.

[Wayne M.]

Re: C2 Radiator

On the top and bottom left side of the surface of the radiator there should be a C shape mark made by a claping tool that is only on original radiators, they are not on the Dewitt's.

Michael -- any chance you could be a little more specific ? A photo would help.

Thanks

[Harry S.]

Re: C2 Radiator

Harry------


If it's full of holes it almost does not matter what its pedigree is-----it's non-repairable.

Joe, I agree. I do not wish to repair it. The 16 CT stamp is the question. 63's are not to have this stamp, but it's a late 63 so that is why I wish to document it for judging reasons.

Cheers

[John H.]

Re: C2 Radiator

On the top and bottom left side of the surface of the radiator there should be a C shape mark made by a claping tool that is only on original radiators, they are not on the Dewitt's.

Michael -

I've discussed this recently with Tom Dewitt, and here's the story on the top plate.

On an original radiator top plate, there are actually five of those 1.5" x 1.0" oval indentations, created by the feet on the metal baking frames that clamped the core together while it was submerged in the 1100*F molten salts that brazed it together. The clad filler metal on the top plate bunched up around the oval clamp feet and actually created a raised (puddle) oval; the pattern was inconsistent, and sometimes the one on the left side obliterated the date stamp by filling the stamped indentations with clad filler metal.

The DeWitts reproduction radiator uses a far superior CAB (Controlled-Atmosphere Brazing) process in an oxygen-free furnace instead of the 1100*F molten salts process, and the outer surface of the top and bottom plates don't have a clad filler metal coating, as it would weld the clamps to the plates. That's why the top and bottom plates are smooth.

[Dennis C.]

Re: C2 Radiator

Michael -

I've discussed this recently with Tom Dewitt, and here's the story on the top plate.

On an original radiator top plate, there are actually five of those 1.5" x 1.0" oval indentations, created by the feet on the metal baking frames that clamped the core together while it was submerged in the 1100*F molten salts that brazed it together. The clad filler metal on the top plate bunched up around the oval clamp feet and actually created a raised (puddle) oval; the pattern was inconsistent, and sometimes the one on the left side obliterated the date stamp by filling the stamped indentations with clad filler metal.

The DeWitts reproduction radiator uses a far superior CAB (Controlled-Atmosphere Brazing) process in an oxygen-free furnace instead of the 1100*F molten salts process, and the outer surface of the top and bottom plates don't have a clad filler metal coating, as it would weld the clamps to the plates. That's why the top and bottom plates are smooth.

John,

Two on the top, two on the bottom, where is the fifth one located?

Thanks,

Dennis

[Harry S.]

Re: C2 Radiator

Is this the mark?

[Dennis C.]

Re: C2 Radiator

Is this the mark?

Harry,

I can't make out the detail in your photo, however, it should look like a shallow depression in the shape of an oval or possibly a c shape. I have noticed the impression is sometimes shallow.

Dennisv

[Harry S.]

Re: C2 Radiator

Harry,

I can't make out the detail in your photo, however, it should look like a shallow depression in the shape of an oval or possibly a c shape. I have noticed the impression is sometimes shallow.

Dennisv

Dennis, the depression in in the lower right of the radiator. It looks like a little aliens face.

[Wayne M.]

Re: C2 Radiator

Harry -- I'm getting four different characters on 4 different radiatiors (3 original small block production, one GM 65 big block service) first 2 pics are on a 63M; third pic is off a 65F, I'm seeing what could be a partial number '5' on a 66M, and the BB '3007436' rad 72L has what looks like an 'L' with lower bar half on the edge of metal.

I've seen this symbol before (the one that's on my 63M). It's on the hex brass hose fittings on the brass fuel outlet block on a tanker. (4th pic). A circle with a line thru center and another that makes 2 quarter circles out of the half.

[Harry S.]

Re: C2 Radiator

Wayne, the circle with the lines looks just like mine. I'll assume the radiator is original and take lots of pictures before I trash it.

Thanks

[Dennis C.]

Re: C2 Radiator

I don't think that is the recess that was being discussed.