69 Expansion Tank Question
03-01-2003, 09:33 AM
#1
Melting Slicks
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69 Expansion Tank Question
Hi!
My 69 350/350 with AC has no expansion tank or mount. Did the car originally have one? It doesn't seem to have enough room for one with all the AC stuff. My rad has a cap on it but it's not the original one. Should it just be puking coolant on the ground like most other chevies back then?
Thanks!
Larry
My 69 350/350 with AC has no expansion tank or mount. Did the car originally have one? It doesn't seem to have enough room for one with all the AC stuff. My rad has a cap on it but it's not the original one. Should it just be puking coolant on the ground like most other chevies back then?
Thanks!
Larry
03-01-2003, 09:41 AM
#2
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Re: 69 Expansion Tank Question (lbell101)
Hi Larry, long time in between posts :chevy I believe the A/C cars came with a larger radiator, and 7 fin fan,which offered more cooling capacity. There for the expansion tank wasn't used. The SB 4 spd cars had the tanks and a 5 fin fan. The automatics and BB I think were like your car too. I may be wrong but I'm sure some one else will chime in.
:cheers:
Gary
[Modified by gtr1999, 9:50 AM 3/1/2003]
:cheers:
Gary
[Modified by gtr1999, 9:50 AM 3/1/2003]
03-02-2003, 11:10 PM
#10
Melting Slicks
Re: 69 Expansion Tank Question (Burgandy 69)
Mark, does your car have A/C? What is the build date of your car? The survey data I've seen shows that only very early L46 cars came with the aluminum radiator.
Shannon
Shannon
03-03-2003, 08:16 AM
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Re: 69 Expansion Tank Question (lbell101)
My 69 coupe with a 4 speed has an aluminum and the expansion tank. However, I used to have a 69 vert automatic with a brass radiator (I think) and no expansion tank. Both cars do not have A/C.
I once heard that GM changed the radiators near end of the 69 production?
[Modified by Michaeljh2000, 8:22 AM 3/3/2003]
I once heard that GM changed the radiators near end of the 69 production?
[Modified by Michaeljh2000, 8:22 AM 3/3/2003]
03-03-2003, 09:13 AM
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Re: 69 Expansion Tank Question (lbell101)
The 350/350 with air had a larger radiator and I believe the owners manual says not to fill the radiator more than 3" from the top. In effect, the radiator acts as its own expansion tank.
If you feel the right inside fender well where the expansion tank would normally be located you should feel three "dimples" where the mounting bracket was positioned on other engined cars.
If you feel the right inside fender well where the expansion tank would normally be located you should feel three "dimples" where the mounting bracket was positioned on other engined cars.
03-03-2003, 10:59 AM
#15
Melting Slicks
Re: 69 Expansion Tank Question (lbell101)
Here's the info Tom Dewitt posted a month or so back, regarding '69 cooling system configurations. The only deviation I've noted was in Rick Bizzoco's "1969 Stingray Guidebook". There is survey data showing an early L-46 VIN 1363 configured with the small aluminum radiator and metal shroud. Other than this one data point, everything else seems to match up.
68-72 (3155316) aluminum was used on all small block cars with no AC, manual trans, and base engine. This used the aluminum surge tank.
69-72 (3018803) 26" copper core was used on all L46 engines with manual transmission, or any 69-72 with AC. No surge tank, filler neck on rad.
69-72 (3018802) 26" copper core was used on all small block cars with automatic. Same as above but with trans cooler.
69-72 BB (3019190) was a 27.5" copper core and was used on all big block cars. (3019189 with auto) and the radiator did not have a filler neck. It used the same aluminum surge tank as the small block cars (3016340) unless it had AC, then it got the brass long can.
68-72 (3155316) aluminum was used on all small block cars with no AC, manual trans, and base engine. This used the aluminum surge tank.
69-72 (3018803) 26" copper core was used on all L46 engines with manual transmission, or any 69-72 with AC. No surge tank, filler neck on rad.
69-72 (3018802) 26" copper core was used on all small block cars with automatic. Same as above but with trans cooler.
69-72 BB (3019190) was a 27.5" copper core and was used on all big block cars. (3019189 with auto) and the radiator did not have a filler neck. It used the same aluminum surge tank as the small block cars (3016340) unless it had AC, then it got the brass long can.
