Topic: 390 Radiator Question

[snikliw87]

Hi all,

I have an early-built 67 GTA fastback with a 390 in it (no power steering, no A/C). I am trying to figure out if I have an original radiator or not. There are bolt holes on the four corners on the support that don't line up with the radiator holes. The top two holes have threaded clips in them but I don't think anything was attached in that spot. The radiator attaches with a top bracket and sits in the saddles on the bottom.

On the top of the radiator, I see it stamped FoMoCo along with what appears to be the supplier stamp "W MO" and "66-9".

Anyone able to share their knowledge?

Jake

[Bob Gaines]

Hi all,

I have an early-built 67 GTA fastback with a 390 in it (no power steering, A/C). I am trying to figure out if I have an original radiator or not. There are bolt holes on the four corners on the support that don't line up with the radiator holes. The top two holes have threaded clips in them but I don't think anything was attached in that spot. The radiator attaches with a top bracket and sits in the saddles on the bottom.

On the top of the radiator, I see it stamped FoMoCo along with what appears to be the supplier stamp "W MO" and "66-9".

Anyone able to share their knowledge?

Jake

Jake the radiator appears to be radiator for a big block with Automatic because of the auto cooler fittings at the bottom. It appears to be the correct width given the 67 production top tank late 1966 date code (67 BB radiators were narrower the 68 and up) I can't be sure about the height being Mustang correct but most likely. I would need the height measurement to be sure.  The W MO is the mfg mark typically seen on radiators used at the SJ assembly plant ,W MO radiators typically had a metal tag with application information soldered to the top tank . Since yours is missing the tag it indicates it has most likely been rebuilt at least once.

[snikliw87]

Thank you Bob. I will take some measurements tomorrow and post them.
Jake

[Bob Gaines]

I thought I should mention that AMK products sells a exact replacement radiator tag for the missing one on your W MO radiator.

[snikliw87]

Thank you- I found the correct tag on their website from your suggestion.

I took measurements of the inner portion of the radiator which measures approximately 16 1/4" x 23 1/2".

[Bob Gaines]

Thank you- I found the correct tag on their website from your suggestion.

I took measurements of the inner portion of the radiator which measures approximately 16 1/4" x 23 1/2".

16 1/4 would be the Mustang inner core height. I saw one recently where someone had recored a 67 radiator with a incorrect taller core . It stuck up about 3/4 inch too tall. You could really tell it by the way the top bracket held the radiator down at a upward angle. The only way to solve the problem is to recore the radiator again. The owner I am helping was disappointed needless to say.

[Bossbill]

I thought I read on this site that all Mustangs received the threaded clips, regardless.
If true, it would have simplified assembly line procedures.

[snikliw87]

Well that is good news on my radiator. Thanks for the information.

My radiator support brace also has the original staple holes in it from the seal that went on top. I read somewhere that big blocks received this seal while the small blocks didn't?

[RoyceP]

The presence of that seal on your Mustang means that you should restore that feature. It appears on some small block and even six cylinder Mustangs. Apparently there was data on the line regarding which cars were supposed to have them but it is obvious today that whatever the rules were they were often not followed.

Well that is good news on my radiator. Thanks for the information.

My radiator support brace also has the original staple holes in it from the seal that went on top. I read somewhere that big blocks received this seal while the small blocks didn't?

[J_Speegle]

The presence of that seal on your Mustang means that you should restore that feature. It appears on some small block and even six cylinder Mustangs..............

I would respectfully suggest that the presence of a seal suggest that unless if the Mustang is a S or a T code some addition investigation should follow. Allot of radiator supports have been swapped and replaced but that can often be determined with some examination

Never found or seen any original 67 small block Mustang with the radiator seal. Guess there might be a handful of mistakes out of tens of thousands of Mustangs. Would be interested in seeing any and what plant they (the car) was built at but that can be discussed in one of the current or a new related thread.

For 6 cylinders it was standard and something practiced in the two prior years