Big Block Radiators

[dan the man]

Can anyone clarify this; A CRG research report states that a 68 big block w/ac comes equipped with a 23 in. 4 row straight neck radiator. According to Rick's First Gen,it's supposed to come with the curved neck type. What is the final answer?

[bertfam]

Final answer: CRG (ALWAYS!!)

The curved neck was only used in 69, and only for big block AC cars and COPO's.

Ed

[dan the man]

Thanks Ed I figured it was a sales gimmick

[KurtS]

Yup, in 68, there was no AC to have route around, so no need for the curved neck.

[no69x-44]

Final answer: CRG (ALWAYS!!)

The curved neck was only used in 69, and only for big block AC cars and COPO's.

Ed

Ed - My '69 COPO (of course no A/C) has the cruved neck radiator just as you state.  I'm just wondering why the COPO's automaticly came with the cruve necked model rather the straight neck.  It seems other BB block non-Air cars got the straight neck radiator.
Thanks.

[KurtS]

I'm just wondering why the COPO's automaticly came with the cruve necked model rather the straight neck.  It seems other BB block non-Air cars got the straight neck radiator.
Thanks.

3 core were straight, 4 core were curved.

From http://www.camaros.org/coolingsystems.shtml#usage,
Addition of AC to 1969 big-block engines increased the number of radiator core rows from 3 to 4 and added a curved inlet neck in order clear the 1969 AC components.

[black69]

Some 69 L78 cars got the 4 core curved neck. mine has it and i know some other survivor cars that have the same curved neck.
Not all the 4spd 4.10 rear end cars have them by default either, I have witnessed some survivor cars with 4.10 rear ends with the 3 row radiator, even L89s.
so when one says only bb a/c cars and copos get them, that is not really true as a hard and fast rule.
kurt should back me up on this, but its been a while.

[no69x-44]

Some 69 L78 cars got the 4 core curved neck. mine has it and i know some other survivor cars that have the same curved neck.
Not all the 4spd 4.10 rear end cars have them by default either, I have witnessed some survivor cars with 4.10 rear ends with the 3 row radiator, even L89s.
so when one says only bb a/c cars and copos get them, that is not really true as a hard and fast rule.
kurt should back me up on this, but its been a while.

Got it!  Thanks Kurt.

[KurtS]

Substitutions were allowed and it seems they happened. I believe I've seen a broadcast sheet that called for a 3 core but the car had a 4 core.
It's not tied to rearend ratio (also mentioned in that report).