1969 L46 manual no AC - expansion tank or not?

[Erik S.]

Hello, I own a fairly original March 1969 L46 convertible with manual transmission no AC. It does not have the expansion tank and I know that the book from our sponsor says it should have one. However, are there any documented cars around that do not have this tank? I have not looked at it in great detail but is there an easy way to verify whether it had one or not - I would assume some kind of holes in the body??

Thanks,
Erik

[Tom S.]

Re: 1969 L46 manual no AC - expansion tank or not?

There is no expansion tank on a 69 L-46. I am sure Joe Lucia will chime in also as he still has the one he bought new!

[Marc R.]

Re: 1969 L46 manual no AC - expansion tank or not?

I believe your non AC would have had one. The AC cars did not.

[Tom S.]

Re: 1969 L46 manual no AC - expansion tank or not?

I had a pretty original 69 L-46 with very low miles and it did not have one on it. I am fairly sure it was not removed. Lets get Joe's answer on this.

[Lawrence M.]

Re: 1969 L46 manual no AC - expansion tank or not?

Hi Erik,
My very late, (Dec 15th) 1969 no A/C L-46 had a copper radiator and no surge tank. Rick Bizzoco's 1969 Stingray Guidebook says base engine cars usually had an aluminum radiator and suge tank, while L-46 cars usally had a copper radiator and no surge tank. My 1969 no A/C L-46 Top Flighted and earned a Bloomington Gold with the copper radiator and no surge tank configuration. My 69 is now with a new owner. Hope this helps.

Larry

[Joe L.]

Re: 1969 L46 manual no AC - expansion tank or not?

I had a pretty original 69 L-46 with very low miles and it did not have one on it. I am fairly sure it was not removed. Lets get Joe's answer on this.

Tom-----


My car is (was) a 300 hp. However, I have a very good friend that is the original owner of a 1969 L-46 and I've mentioned him before, so that may be what you were thinking of. His car, a very early 1969, was built with an aluminum radiator and supply tank. However, most later 1969 L-46 were built with the copper brass radiator GM #3018803 which used no external supply tank. Cars with this radiator also used shroud GM #3956109. These cars will also not have the inner passenger side fender drilled for supply tank bracket attachment.

[Ralph S.]

Re: 1969 L46 manual no AC - expansion tank or not?

I had a 69 L46 no A/C that i bought new (july built) it did not have the expansion tank.

[Dennis D.]

Re: 1969 L46 manual no AC - expansion tank or not?

Late 69's paving the road for the 70 L-46 which only had the copper rad/ no expansion setup I guess. (and LT1 for that matter)

[Erik S.]

Re: 1969 L46 manual no AC - expansion tank or not?

Thanks guys - I think this is on the wish list then for the revision of the 68-69 JG. I have a new alu rad from the Witts, but I guess then I leave it like it is now - no tank.

Greetz from the sunny Amsterdam canals,
Erik

[Joe L.]

Re: 1969 L46 manual no AC - expansion tank or not?

Thanks guys - I think this is on the wish list then for the revision of the 68-69 JG. I have a new alu rad from the Witts, but I guess then I leave it like it is now - no tank.

Greetz from the sunny Amsterdam canals,
Erik

Erik-----


Yes, I think that's a change that will need to get into the next edition of the 68-69 JG. There will also be a need to eliminate "350 hp with Auto" from the chart for both 1968 and 1969. The 1968 L-79 and 1969 L-46 were not available with auto transmission. So, there was no radiator used with that combination because said combination never existed.

I'm ashamed of myself for not picking up the L-46 radiator issue and the above-referenced issue when I reviewed the JG.

[Steven H.]

Re: 1969 L46 manual no AC - expansion tank or not?

This is an excellent thread and is the reason I joined NCRS today while browsing in guest mode; this subject is exactly the same big question I had on my 69 and why I was here looking around.

The only thing I can think left to determine is the approximate cut over date.

Sincerely,

Steve Hoog
Tulsa OK

[Joseph H.]

Re: 1969 L46 manual no AC - expansion tank or not?

My early 1969 (sept 68') 350/350 vert L46, M20, No A/C has an expansion tank.

Regards,
Joe