1969 L78 Camaro Radiator

[Hotrodpaul]

I was trying to find out what type of radiator would be correct for a 69 Camaro L78 396 4 speed with a factory 4.10 ratio rear end. I would assume the 3 core ZD code radiator would be correct but I read somewhere that the 4 core bent neck radiator may have been used with axle ratio's of 4.10 and lower. I have not found the buildsheet for my car so I have no way of knowing for sure. Thanks,

Paul

[Mr. T]

http://www.camaros.org/coolingsystems.shtml

[COPO]

3 core ZD is correct

[Kurt S]

I've heard that about the 4.10 gears before but there's no documentation or cars to back it up. The few 4.10's I have data on had 3 cores in them.
Hence why my article says ratio didn't affect rad selection. Hope this helps!

[69L78]

My 12k original mile L78 with 4.10 gears has the 3 core.

[Hotrodpaul]

69L78, could you send me some pics of the engine bay of your car. I am in the process of restoring mine and would like to take a look at the wire/hose routings, paint finishes, etc. My car is a 20K mile Lemans Blue M21 with 4.10 rear and original rear and trans, but the motor has been replaced with a warranty CE version. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks,

Paul
[email protected]

[ssl78]

My 69 L78 pace car 4;10 car has the three core I know of a 18k gold L78 conv that has the curved neck radiator in it.

[CJP_69]

My 69 L78 pace car has a curved neck 4 core. M-21, BU 3:73. Was it optional or just used if the supply of 3 cores were short? Did L89 optioned cars also have the 3 core?


Chris

[Hotrodpaul]

Man, this is some good info. Has anyone documented their 4 core radiator to the cars buildsheet, looking for a ZD or UY code? Keep the info coming!

Paul

[Kurt S]

The gold L78 is a 3.31 rear car. So it would appear to be a factory substitution (presumable due to shortage).

Paul,
Not sure what you are looking for, but I have documentation on several cars. All are ZD.
The gold car and Chris's car are the only exceptions I've ever heard of.

[Hotrodpaul]

Looks like the general consensus is the ZD 3 core. Has anyone ever found a buildsheet up in the headliner? My car was a Norwood built 04C model.

Paul

[CJP_69]

Paul,
No build sheet on mine either but the pacer is a Norwood 04C also.

Chris

[Hotrodpaul]

What are the #'s on your engine, mine was T0417JH.

Trans: P9D11B

Rear BV0417G2 E

Paul

[CJP_69]

Paul,when I located the car it had a "cobbled up" 427, but still retained its original 837 alternator, 499 distributor, deep groove pulleys, harrison radiator, M-21
and rear. My M-21 is also P9D11B and the rear is BU0415G2.
I located a date correct JH motor and that has been installed.

Chris

[Hotrodpaul]

Wow, both transmissions built on the same day! Cool

What are your dates on the Alternator and Distributor?

Paul

[CJP_69]

The 837 is 9 D 3 and the 499 is 9 B 12. The distributor looks just like the 499 in Jerry MacNeish's 1969 Z28-SS396
fact book where the "B" strike is lighter than the other characters. Maybe it was a little worn.

Chris

[ssl78]

My L78 Pace car was built 03B engine stamp is TO311JH trans is P9B14B rear is Bv0314G. It seems the drivetrain has never been removed from the car.

[LS6 RAT]

My L78 Burgundy convertible showed ZD on the chassis broadcast copy that came off the fuel tank (Van Nuys built), however the car had a curved neck radiator. Drivetrain is M20, 3:55 ratio.

[Hotrodpaul]

LS6 RAT - Is it the original Harrison Radiator? If so, GM must of had a shortage of ZD radiators and substituted the curved neck 4-core.

Paul

[SSJunkie68-69]

My 69 L89 Camaro has a 3 core ZE coded Harrison Radiator with a straight neck. It has been my understanding that all Copos and L34/L35 Cars (with AC) recieved curved neck. Also that all ZD and ZE code radiators are straight necks while all UY and UZ code radiators are curved necks.

Hope this helps......have a great weekend~


Tom

[Hotrodpaul]

What is the difference in a ZD and ZE code radiator.... 3 core vs 4 core?

Thanks,

Paul

[Kurt S]

Auto vs manual.