'69 L-36 radiator

[Tom L.]

Helped my brother-in-law remove his "Fan modified" radiator yesterday. there's a tag on the pass. side tank that reads "MJ9". Does this indicate that it's an original radiator? He's not sure if re-coring it or replacing it is best. Can't find any info in the JG or archives. Thanks!

[Dick W.]

Re: '69 L-36 radiator

Good possibility it is original. His only hope is to recore it. That is assuming that the tanks are OK. I have seen the tanks crack from work hardening over the years. Also if it has been repaired before sometimes the repair shop would use too much heat and the tanks would crack.

[Paul O.]

Re: '69 L-36 radiator

Lynn

The radiator should be brass/copper and the tag would normally be on the passengers side the letters should be in capital form and there should also be a part # on the tag. Also some cars have been seen with a white ink or paint on the letters. Hope that helps.

[Tom L.]

Re: '69 L-36 radiator

I've been reading the archives and have seen that the letters on the tag are the "Broadcast code". Would this be the same as the broadcast code on the block? Meaning, for example, "XY" means tnat the car is an L88 with TI and an automatic?? (Please be sure that I'm saying these numbers are made up, just giving an example)

[Dick W.]

Re: '69 L-36 radiator

I've been reading the archives and have seen that the letters on the tag are the "Broadcast code". Would this be the same as the broadcast code on the block? Meaning, for example, "XY" means tnat the car is an L88 with TI and an automatic?? (Please be sure that I'm saying these numbers are made up, just giving an example)

Nope, no such luck. The code designated a particular radiator, bill of materials for a car specified codes for everything

[Joe L.]

Re: '69 L-36 radiator

Helped my brother-in-law remove his "Fan modified" radiator yesterday. there's a tag on the pass. side tank that reads "MJ9". Does this indicate that it's an original radiator? He's not sure if re-coring it or replacing it is best. Can't find any info in the JG or archives. Thanks!

Lynn-----


I believe this is the code for the radiator for manual transmission with big block. This is a difficult to find radiator as it was discontinued from SERVICE way back in the early 70's and replaced by the "MK" coded GM #3019190 radiator which has transmission cooler provisions and was originally used for auto trans-equipped big blocks.

[Paul O.]

Re: '69 L-36 radiator

Joe

Have seen MK radiators on original 70-72 cars both small and big block with 4-speed transmissions.

[Joe L.]

Re: '69 L-36 radiator

Joe

Have seen MK radiators on original 70-72 cars both small and big block with 4-speed transmissions.

Paul-----


I'm away from my references to check on this but I believe the MK-coded radiator was the 3019190. This was originally used for 1969-72 big blocks with M-40. It became SERVICE for all big blocks when the original non-oil cooler radiator was discontinued. I don't think it was ever originally used for a small block. It has no provisions for a radiator cap whereas the small block radiator does have such provisions. If you find a non-filler cap copper/brass radiator on a small block, it was not there "from the beginning".

[Paul O.]

Re: '69 L-36 radiator

Joe

I do not remember the part number but the code was "MK9" on the tag 4-speed no trans cooler connections on my 71 LT-1 and many others with the cap on the radiator.