Original Radiators for '66

[Chevy1966]

I am working away on my "make it original" restoration for my '66 - 327 - factory air. Question is: how many different radiator designs actually came out of the factory in 66? Is there a chart that matches the radiator to the engine/option configuration? Thanks, Rob

[pimpston65]

Originally Posted by Chevy1966

I am working away on my "make it original" restoration for my '66 - 327 - factory air. Question is: how many different radiator designs actually came out of the factory in 66? Is there a chart that matches the radiator to the engine/option configuration? Thanks, Rob

harrison is the company for the radiator, they had the same size and shape. one had ports for an auto the other did not for manual...

[pimpston65]

Originally Posted by pimpston65

harrison is the company for the radiator, they had the same size and shape. one had ports for an auto the other did not for manual...

can you tell which is the repop and which is the harrison??? bet you cant...

[pimpston65]

i found mine from a 60's era pontiac catalina... the dirtier of the two is the real mccoy...

[60-66]

There were quite a few radiators made by Harrison designed specifically for these trucks. Your combination though narrows it down to two , with or without automatic transmission. More than likely it was a larger, wider, upper and lower tank 4 core rad. These took a wider clamp top and bottom on the frame and upper clamp. . These radiators will sometimes have a part number stamped in them , a square metal tag with a letter code that coincides with the build sheet . The best chart I've found is the GM parts books or possibly the assembly manual.

[VictoriaHardware]

Originally Posted by 60-66

More than likely it was a larger, wider, upper and lower tank 4 core rad. These took a wider clamp top and bottom on the frame and upper clamp. . These radiators will sometimes have a part number stamped in them , a square metal tag with a letter code that coincides with the build sheet

For reference here is an original '66 radiator with the steel tags attached along the top tank seam. This was a 292 automatic truck.

[Chevy1966]

You guys have come through with some really great information - thanks for taking time to post the pictures and helpful info. Here is a little more detail to go along with the pictures below. Shortly after getting the truck I sent the radiator out and had a new 4-row core put in - generally a high quality rebuild (1st pic). Then I got to thinking: was this actually the original radiator? So any idea what these letters stamped into the top tank and the tag mean? (2nd pic) Now I also noticed that compared to your pictures, there is an angled inset around the fill port (3rd pic) and it seems different from what I see in your pictures. Any opinion about the originality of my radiator? Does the SPID help in any way identify the cooling system? Also, were these radiators painted flat black or gloss black from the factory back then? (327-factory AC-AT). Thanks again!

[60-66]

In this case the spid doesn't state anything on radiator I'm thinking because its standard with the CC and 327 AC trucks. So far all the Custom Campers I've seen we're 4 row rads. The only spid call out I've seen for the larger radiator was heavy duty cooling . Look close or clean off your radiator tag and you'll see the gm part number stamped in the bottom of that tag, same as Victoriahardwares tag above. The letters RJ stamped in your tag will be in the build sheet if you have one in your seat. The letters stamped in the tank are to identify the tank when building the radiator itself . It would be interesting to list all of those letter codes in tags and stamped tanks for a data base like they've done for Chevelles . I would say you definatly have the original radiator and lucky to have one with the tag still in place.

[LDO]

Not meaning to hi-jack here but will a 4 row fit? More specifically, what measurement should I be looking for in the top/bottom saddles to make sure a 4 row would fit?

If I'm not going for a numbers matching or original restoration, Where would I get a quality 4 row rad from. I know there are aluminum options but I'm not sure that's what I want just yet.

thank you.

[60-66]

Heres the Chevrolet parts book pages listing the different part numbers for radiators 60-66 . Notice Victoriahardwares rad is 3155065