COPO Chevelle radiator
 

What is the correct radiator set up....3-core or 4-core? tank codes etc. I have a used Harrison radiator I bought for the tanks..is a three core out of a 69 wagon. Not sure of the tanks codes but will check later. Thanks

ALbert

Re: COPO Chevelle radiator
 

A BO code radiator is what I have had in the 4 speed COPOs we have had in.

Re: COPO Chevelle radiator
 

Our 4 speed car also came with the BO rad.

Re: COPO Chevelle radiator
 

Thanks guys...but is it a 4 or 3 core? I'll have a Harrison rad when I'm done but it may not have the correct code. Would be a difficult piece to find...the correct code tanks. Thanks

Albert

Re: COPO Chevelle radiator
 

The BO & BQ 1969 radiator is a 3 core.

Re: COPO Chevelle radiator
 

Thank you Rick

ALbert

Re: COPO Chevelle radiator
 

Albert
The radiator out of my 69 L/78 chevelle is a 3 core and marked BQ. There is also an XJ stamped in the tank.

Re: COPO Chevelle radiator
 

Thanks Jeff

ALbert

Re: COPO Chevelle radiator
 

Our rad has the same tag as Jeff's. I took it to be an "O" with a slash through it. Whatever, they are the same and are three core. We had the rad in our 455 Lemans done with a high density core and it is more than adequate in the cooling department. Our 427 never had a problem either. Mind you we don't get 120 degree weather here either. Low 90s at the worst. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/laugh.gif

Re: COPO Chevelle radiator
 

Would a 3-core radiator also be correct for a TH400 automatic COPO Chevelle, and what markings and/or codes would be correct?

Tanks a-lot!

Re: COPO Chevelle radiator
 

Wow...an old thread.

Correct Helmut.

The 4 core Heavy Duty Radiator was used with either a 4 Speed or T400 with A/C.

Dan

Re: COPO Chevelle radiator
 

Thanks Dan.

What would be the correct codes on the tag?
Are there any specific identifying marks that the tanks should have?

Tanks again

Re: COPO Chevelle radiator
 

I don't believe there was ever a 4 core radiator in 1969. It started in 1970, hence the welded tab on the radiator top plate and the core support underneath to allow for the larger tank.

Re: COPO Chevelle radiator
 

BR is the code for an automatic trans copo or L78

Re: COPO Chevelle radiator
 

Not claiming to be a 69 expert but I'm with Jim on this one.
Every 69 I know of with HD cooling has a 3 row radiator.
The Radiator support and upper hold down plate were modified starting in 70 for those cars equipped with a HD cooling package to accept the IF coded inlet tank used on 4 row radiators.
For what it's worth the 69 L89 Chevelle I have here has a BO coded 3 row radiator and the COPO Chevelle that I have here has a BQ code 3 row.
These are both manual shift radiators and look identical but use a different resolution finned core.
BQ radiators were also used on some 454 Chevelles in 70.
Fwiw, Chris

Re: COPO Chevelle radiator
 

Thank you very much guys. Now that you mention the additional tab on the 1970 top plate, that makes perfect sense.

Re: COPO Chevelle radiator
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wheelhop</div><div class="ubbcode-body">BR is the code for an automatic trans copo or L78 </div></div>

Jim is right. Here's the tag off my COPO.

Phil Woj.

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/i...psudc8usxt.jpg

Re: COPO Chevelle radiator
 

That's a clean tag Woj!

Re: COPO Chevelle radiator
 

There never was a four row 1969 big block chevelle radiator.
It did debut in the mid '70 Chevelle big block though,coded either PA or PD.
As well as having to notch the top plate &amp; the lower driver side frame cradle to make room for that 4th row during '70 production,they also had to hand shave about an inch off the 1969 Chevelles #3938165 three row fan shroud on the drivers side,as the lip there wouldn't let it fit a four row tank.
Many #165 shrouds were sacrificed,until the new #3976653 four row fan shroud became available during '70 and was essentially the same as the three row #165 fan shroud except for having that drivers lip omitted from it,among other things.
Then the current #6261914 four row shroud soon superseded both of them later on.

Re: COPO Chevelle radiator
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mockingbird812</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That's a clean tag Woj! </div></div>

Sam,

I'm lucky on many levels with this car. The original radiator being one of them. This car spent a good portion of its life off the road.
I did blast and paint the tag when I had the radiator flushed. Amazingly, it was all original and not one leak. The radiator did get a fresh coat of paint, since a good portion of the original paint had worn away.

Phil Woj.

Re: COPO Chevelle radiator
 

Thanks. Anyone happen to have a BR tag they would part with? Will be going on a real car...

Re: COPO Chevelle radiator
 

BR was used on 70 chevelles too.
Here's a real good repop Helmut..just paint.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-Chevrolet-C...Hyn&amp;vxp=mtr

Re: COPO Chevelle radiator
 

To answer another question,during 1970,the standard BO coded 3-core was also used on 1970 396 L-78 Chevelle with M/T.
The standard BQ coded 3-core was also used on 1970 454 LS-5 &amp; LS-6 Chevelle w/M/T,and also on the 1970 Monte Carlo LS-3 with M/T.
The standard BR coded 3-core was also used on the 1970 454 LS-5 &amp; LS-6 Chevelle with TH400,and the 1970 LS-3 &amp; LS-5 Monte Carlo with Auto Trans.