Original Fan? Radiator re-core (if needed).

[dspur]

What does an original fan look like and where can I get one if I decide to? This one is obviously not original and I am trying to decide if I want to put it back on. Trying to do an original (if possible) restoration on my 69 Super Bee, 383, 4 speed, factory air. Non clutch. Also recommendations to have original radiator re-cored if needed. TIA

 

[Don Frelier]

@dadsbee

 

[WileE]

Original fans vary, depending on the specific application. But, they are available either used or repro. Source a local radiator shop to get your factory unit recored.

 

[F4R/T]

Need the specifics on your car a/c etc. The clutch if needed is very specific on these. Also radiator specs if stock or bigger.

 

[Bird 426]

If you would like your radiator done better than orginal, call Bob at Glen Ray. He is in Wausau, Wisconsin. He is expensive, but you will not be disappointed when you get your radiator back. Also, if you have it recored locally, there are different grades of core material, from cheap to good. Hard to say on your fan, 22" or 26" radiator, fan shroud. You will probably be looking at Hayden for the fan clutch. Or, if you are not interested in originality, you can go aluminum, which opens another whole discussion on what vendor to buy from. I'm staying out of that one.

 

[turbine68rt]

Your current core #2949059 is showing as being for a '69 B body 318 w/ac application.
#2949055 is for '69 B body 383 with both auto & 4 spd with a/c.
The 055 core used an 18.5" seven blade fan #2863216 and #2658456 thermal drive clutch. If you intend to do an oem restoration like you stated, you may want to locate the correct core before investing big money into your current core. If the numbers aren't a concern, go with your best judgement.

 

[dspur]

Need the specifics on your car a/c etc. The clutch if needed is very specific on these. Also radiator specs if stock or bigger.

Yes someone else told me these had a clutch and gave me two model numbers per the broadcast sheet, which I do not have. Evidently someone in the past replaced with the non clutch pictured. Gonna need to do some more research. Thanks

 

[dspur]

Your current core #2949059 is showing as being for a '69 B body 318 w/ac application.
#2949055 is for '69 B body 383 with both auto & 4 spd with a/c.
The 055 core used an 18.5" seven blade fan #2863216 and #2658456 thermal drive clutch. If you intend to do an oem restoration like you stated, you may want to locate the correct core before investing big money into your current core. If the numbers aren't a concern, go with your best judgement.

Thank you. I had assumed that the radiator was original to the car but evidently not. I would like to be oem correct, but not at great expense and difficulty. I will do some looking. Also, the core in this one is not leaking, just full of rust from a very bad heater core. It is full of evaporust now and may be useable, but if it is the incorrect one…

 

[68BabyBlue]

I had an unrestored factory A/C GTX 30 years ago that had a fixed spacer in place of the thermal drive fan that normally went with the A/C cars. I had the broadcast sheet, and it was coded for the spacer. So the non-clutch could have been factory OEM.

 

[dspur]

I had an unrestored factory A/C GTX 30 years ago that had a fixed spacer in place of the thermal drive fan that normally went with the A/C cars. I had the broadcast sheet, and it was coded for the spacer. So the non-clutch could have been factory OEM.

Yes I have the spacer. Neither it nor the fan appear to be original, and not all that old. Engine was rebuilt a year or two before I got the car and th we were probably added then, as well as, per another post herein, the radiator from a 318 car. ‍Sure wish I had the broadcast sheet. thx

 

[dspur]

If you would like your radiator done better than orginal, call Bob at Glen Ray. He is in Wausau, Wisconsin. He is expensive, but you will not be disappointed when you get your radiator back. Also, if you have it recored locally, there are different grades of core material, from cheap to good. Hard to say on your fan, 22" or 26" radiator, fan shroud. You will probably be looking at Hayden for the fan clutch. Or, if you are not interested in originality, you can go aluminum, which opens another whole discussion on what vendor to buy from. I'm staying out of that one.

I would like to stay original and would probably reach out to them, however as pointed out herein I may actually have a radiator that goes with a 318 car.

 

[68BabyBlue]

Yes I have the spacer. Neither it nor the fan appear to be original, and not all that old. Engine was rebuilt a year or two before I got the car and th we were probably added then, as well as, per another post herein, the radiator from a 318 car. ‍Sure wish I had the broadcast sheet. thx

I was pleased with the performance of the fixed blade fan in previous GTX, but I currently own another factory A/C car which has the correct 070 thermal drive with matching date code from Tony's Parts. If you want nit picky factory OEM, it works well, drove the GTX to Carlisle last summer in 95 degree heat, and no cooling issues.

 

[PurpleBeeper]

What does an original fan look like and where can I get one if I decide to? This one is obviously not original and I am trying to decide if I want to put it back on. Trying to do an original (if possible) restoration on my 69 Super Bee, 383, 4 speed, factory air. Non clutch. Also recommendations to have original radiator re-cored if needed. TIA

View attachment 1781881

View attachment 1781882

View attachment 1781883

This may sound silly, but “how original” do you want your car. If you are OK with the same size/shape/cooling capacity/appearance as the original radiator, or do you need all the part numbers to be correct?

 

[dspur]

That is the decision I need to make. Probably not on the cooling system if it works and looks original. The correct radiator alone is going to be hard to source, and Year One’s resto is almost $1600, then add another $600 or so for Mancini resto fan and clutch.

 

[dspur]

Your current core #2949059 is showing as being for a '69 B body 318 w/ac application.
#2949055 is for '69 B body 383 with both auto & 4 spd with a/c.
The 055 core used an 18.5" seven blade fan #2863216 and #2658456 thermal drive clutch. If you intend to do an oem restoration like you stated, you may want to locate the correct core before investing big money into your current core. If the numbers aren't a concern, go with your best judgement.

I’m wondering what the difference in the actual radiators are, appears to be virtually the same, mine even has the connections for transmission cooler, although I have a four speed.
My engine, trans, radiator support, VIN all
match, tho the quarter panel had been replaced. Not sure a number on a fan or radiator matters that much, this isn’t a Hemi or A12 restoration. .

 

[Sixpactogo]

It appears none of the parts you showed are correct for your car. No idea where that flex fan came from Probably aftermarket. Also with that 318 radiator you have the lower inlet is on the passenger side. Your Bee would have had it on the driver side. That said, you must have a 73-up water pump housing with the outlet on the passenger side. The correct radiator and fan was mentioned in Post 6.

 

[turbine68rt]

I’m wondering what the difference in the actual radiators are, appears to be virtually the same, mine even has the connections for transmission cooler, although I have a four speed.
My engine, trans, radiator support, VIN all
match, tho the quarter panel had been replaced. Not sure a number on a fan or radiator matters that much, this isn’t a Hemi or A12 restoration. .

If you're not that concerned about a numbers correct radiator and it works well for your car, maybe it's best to ensure everything either checks out or have it recored and keep it. If your goal is a reference restoration, different story.

 

[dspur]

It appears none of the parts you showed are correct for your car. No idea where that flex fan came from Probably aftermarket. Also with that 318 radiator you have the lower inlet is on the passenger side. Your Bee would have had it on the driver side. That said, you must have a 73-up water pump housing with the outlet on the passenger side. The correct radiator and fan was mentioned in Post 6.

Both top and bottom inlet/outlet on this radiator are on the drivers side.

Actually found this pic online of the same radiator. Mine is in better shape.

 

[Orig69]

The upper rad hose on the 2949055 radiator is located on the passenger side.

 

[Sixpactogo]

Both top and bottom inlet/outlet on this radiator are on the drivers side.

Actually found this pic online of the same radiator. Mine is in better shape.

View attachment 1782134

I'll shut up now. I always thought small block radiators had the outlet on the right side.