69 Camaro 4 Row Radiator in L-78?

[Kurt S]

I've looked into this many times. There is no hard fast rule on L78 rads and no clear usage pattern.
I've seen 4 core in L78's with 3.31 and 3.55 axles.
I've seen broadcast sheets call out ZD and the car got a 4-core.
I've seen 2 L78/3.73 built about the same month - earlier car has 4-core, later car has 3-core. Later 3.73/4.10 cars *seem* to get the 4-core, but not a lot of data.

btw, the PHR test car, 9L507834, had a 3.55 axle.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: William</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A few late May/early June COPOs were built with straight-neck 4-core radiators. Codes remain the same. </div></div>
I'm a doubter. The 68 4-core codes were the same and I've often seen 68 4-core service parts in cars. But I doubt they used 68 parts in mid-year 69.

[William]

<span style="font-style: italic">btw, the PHR test car, 9L507834, had a 3.55 axle. </span>

Well maybe. The article text states &quot;...the rear end gears were 3.73.&quot; Maybe they read it off the window sticker. Wouldn't be the first mis-stamped pop.

<span style="font-style: italic">I'm a doubter. The 68 4-core codes were the same and I've often seen 68 4-core service parts in cars. But I doubt they used 68 parts in mid-year 69.</span>

Never said they did. Motor Trend did a feature on ZL1 #68 N650643 about 10 years ago. Quoting the article: <span style="font-style: italic">&quot;The 427 in his Camaro ZL1 did not have the curved-neck radiator.”</span> Photos of the engine bay show a straight-neck radiator. Recently discovered COPO N651524, built the next day, has the same radiator.

[Kurt S]

4-core in 69 was required to have the curved neck to clear the AC.
There was no 4-core straight neck in 69. Only in 68 and in service.

[brent396]

My 69 l78 410 ratio Feb built car

[brent396]

[ssl78]

Feb L78 4:10 pace car 3 core. Maybe early cars 3 core was standard but some people ordered heavy duty cooling.

[William]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kurt S</div><div class="ubbcode-body">4-core in 69 was required to have the curved neck to clear the AC.
There was no 4-core straight neck in 69. Only in 68 and in service. </div></div>

That’s probably correct. But, still entirely possible that Chevrolet did use a few production ’68 BB 4-core radiators for ’69 production; either due to a shortage or to consume excess service stock. Chevrolet has some history of doing this. For ’65 a Corvette could be ordered with drum brakes; stated reason was to consume inventories of drum brake parts.

In the August 1968 issue of Chevrolet Service News there is an article titled “1967 Camaro Manual Steering Gears Used in 1968 Production.”

<span style="font-style: italic">“In order to use up a surplus of 1967 Camaro manual steering gears, all 1968 Camaros equipped with manual steering built from May 22, 1968 to June 7, 1968 at the Norwood Assembly plant […N438680 through N448071] or from March 29,1968 […L338182 through L359064] were built with 1967 manual steering gears. “</span>

This was somewhat involved as it also required those cars to be built with 1967 pitman, steering and idler arms. That’s why it was noted in service news.

That Chevrolet did this tells me there was a process in place [cycle count?] to monitor inventory levels and take steps to consume excess. If they identified excess 1967 steering gears well into the 1968 model year it is entirely possible there were some leftover radiators. 1968 4 core radiators would be just fine in non-A/C applications. No need to note it anywhere.

ZL1 #68 N650643 below. Purchased 1988 from the original owner. Same radiator in COPO N651524.