Is there a guess as to how far ahead on average a radiator date code might be in relation to the Scheduled Production Date (SPD) for a '69 B-body? Could it be that a radiator for a SPD of mid-December '68 ('69 model year GTX) could have a radiator with an August 26, 1968 date code? That's 3-1/2 monthsn ahead of the SPD but it's a 26" 055 radiator for a Trac-Pac Dana GTX that may not be as common as a 22" radiator.....wishful hoping. Anyone with a '69 GTX with an original 055 rad know how far off their rad's production date code is to their SPD?

MikeR

A local R6 '69 440 4-spd (627 SPD) St. Louis assembled GTX has a 055 radiator with a 0799 date. (March 20, 1969).

A12, it varied, allot in some cases. There was no "First in First Out" inventory control and there was a ton of lead time variance with vendors who supplied the parts.

To have large, complex to manufacture, or to deliver due to proximity of the production facilities predated by couple months is not at all out of the ordinary, in fact I'd be more inclined to suspect parts that were dated very close to the SPD.

I have a bunch of 69's I can check if you like. Early to late.

Yes - An early-ish RR - I'll get you the stuff you like! I had to pack my files during a reno so I'll dig that one out for you.

Mike, one part that seems dated a lot ahead of the rest from a few original cars I have taken apart was the rad.

Had one car 2 months and 1 car 3 months from what I think were original radiators. Hope that helps.

Rick.

From what I have found, they are typically a 30-45 day product. I have had radiators in for people that have owned the car from new and have seen as early as 6 months to 2 days. With that said, I would have to agree with Scott. No first in first out. I recently picked up an original 340 4spd challenger with the radiator built 7 days in front of the spd. Who really knows for certain.

Bob

I was comparing 4 "956" radiators a few years ago that I sitting around. 2 had date codes and 2 didn't. I developed the theory that St. Louis cars had a date code and Lynch Road cars did not. Different areas of the country supplied by different vendors.

1970 Superbird with a tag date of B309 has a radiator date of 291 9. Superbirds were Lynch Road built, so we can conclude at least some Lynch Roaders had dates.

Also had a '69 Hemi Bee - St. Louis built with a tag date of January 28, 1969, and a radiator date of 018 9.

Sorry but I mixed up the power steering cooler date code with the 055 radiator date code (see other thread) Here is the 055 date code 305-8 for a C16 SPD (Dec 16, 1968) 440 GTX 4-speed w/3.54 Dana

MikeR

Example:
70 Cuda SPD Oct 6, 1969. Hamtramck.
261 9 - Sept 18, 1969

'69 Daytona, 609 (6/9/69 SPD), 055 radiator with a date code of 058-9

I see from the above posts that there were different font styles used for the dates....Was this a plant thing or vendor? Was there more than one vendor used for radiator production? My thought is that it may be possible to determine what plant installed the radiator by identifying the font style of the date code? I know there is also a part number font diffence on the upper tank that is related to SPD as well?

Looks like you have the original radiiator...mine's a 1299 with an EAD of 6 3 and a K frame dated 1549. I can't tell you the SPD but the dates give you some idea of the time frame. What about your A12? Does it have the original radiator?

This photo is for Bob/aka "radiatorman", it's an enlargement of a photo of the original radiator when the car was still pretty much in the survival (not survivor) mode. What do you think; 055 or 054? I think 055 by the triangle shape opening/cut on the side strap between the top tank and side, and the location of the little "scoop" on the curved part at the tank (what were those for, were they for picking them up or holding??)

Hey Mike,
I would say it is a 055. They only made a large font 055. At least I have never seen a 055 small font.

Bob