'65 396 radiator hose question.

[Tony S.]

I had the opportunity to see four really nice '65 L78 cars at the recent St. Charles National show. They were a treat to see. Two were original cars, while two were nicely restored cars. I noticed that each had upper radiator hoses with a yellow part number. The two unrestored cars were "early" cars. The restored cars were later cars (after 16000).

For my '65 L78 car, I installed radiator hoses with blue numbering on them. I emailed Long Island about that this weekend and was told that early 396 cars (pre 16000) should have yellow lettering, while post 16000 cars had blue lettering. My car is a very late car (built July 29, '65). Before I start scrounging for a radiator hose with yellow lettering, I want to verify that the info that I got from Long Island is correct, and that my car should have radiator hoses with blue lettering.

Informed opinions are welcome!
Thanks.
Tony

[Edward S.]

Re: '65 396 radiator hose question.

My 396 was built June 21, and had the blue hose when I got it in 2001, I have replaced it once and got another blue one as that's what the JM calls for. I have seen the yellows but have never looked at the vins, there are very few L-78's that go to the shows here in Jersey. The only other one I see all the time has a July build date.

[Joel T.]

Re: '65 396 radiator hose question.

Hi Tony;

Since nobody has responded I will give this a shot... at least from limited knowledge point.

First, interesting coincidence; my L78 was built the same day as yours; July 29th. My Vin# is 23316.

I just checked my car and it has the blue striped upper hose as you mention, with a white part number and arrow pointing the way to the radiator so as to get it installed properly. Mine came from Paragon versus LI Corvette. Checking their catalog they show the blue stripe version as the "second design" for the 1965/396 and the 1967/L88. Given that your car is so late in the cycle as is mine, I would have to assume that what we have is correct. Interestingly, Paragon makes no mention of when the changeover happened; first design to second. The second part number is shown to be 3879680 versus 3873842 for the first.

Now a question for you.... Did your car come with an M22?? Reason I ask is that met a guy over the weekend with an early July L78 survivor July 9th). He is telling me that he has documentation (window sticker) calling out the M22. I was wondering if you have the same... The JG basically says that no M22's were installed in 1965 but this evidence seems to contradict..

Regards, Joel

[Tony S.]

Re: '65 396 radiator hose question.

Hi Joel. Thanks for the response. I have car 23340. The original hoses were not on my car when I bought it last year.

I put the hoses with the blue lettering on my car. Two of the restored cars at Nationals are earlier than mine and they had the yellow lettering on their hoses. One of the cars was built on July 28th and probably should have the blue letter hoses. I don't always have confidence that repro parts are spot on, so I want to re-check my homework on my hoses. Unless another poster indicates otherwise, I think I have the right hoses on my car.

Thanks. Our cars have a birthday tomorrow!
Tony

[Jack H.]

Re: '65 396 radiator hose question.

The hose change goes in lock-step with the early vs. late style of radiator. Early cars got a Harrison straight neck radiator (3005936) while late cars shipped with a curved neck radiator (3007436). This dictated geometry matching radiator hoses with different PN's.

Until rather recently, the early radiator was not available in reproduction nor was the early rad hose. The approximate change over date is approximately VIN 16,200 but this is a rough estimate as we've seen some 15000 series cars built in late April with the second design, curved neck, radiator...

This information is given in your copy of the '57 Judging Guide!

[Joe L.]

Re: '65 396 radiator hose question.

The hose change goes in lock-step with the early vs. late style of radiator. Early cars got a Harrison straight neck radiator (3005936) while late cars shipped with a curved neck radiator (3007436). This dictated geometry matching radiator hoses with different PN's.

Until rather recently, the early radiator was not available in reproduction nor was the early rad hose. The approximate change over date is approximately VIN 16,200 but this is a rough estimate as we've seen some 15000 series cars built in late April with the second design, curved neck, radiator...

This information is given in your copy of the '57 Judging Guide!

Jack-----


I agree but I'll bet the '57 Judging Guide doesn't say a thing about this.

[Tony S.]

Re: '65 396 radiator hose question.

Jack-----


I agree but I'll bet the '57 Judging Guide doesn't say a thing about this.

I was scratching my head on that one too, Joe.

Thanks for the input guys.
Tony.