327 V8 in a 65 B. What rad spacer/shroud configuration?

cdnpont · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

327 V8 in a 65 B. What rad spacer/shroud configuration?

norontcan · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Here's 2 pics of my all original 65 CS
the spacer before the rad is 4 1/2" thick

rad and spacer.jpg rad and spacer2.jpg

Are the 283 and 327 not the same dimensions outside?

Note in the pics the plastic conduit running across the top of the rad support. It contains the headlight wiring going across to the passengers side and also the hot wire from the battery coming over to the horn relay. That is original to the 1965 Canadian Pontiacs and Chevs ( not there on US cars ). It appears in your 327 pic but I don't see it in the 283 pic.

-- Edited by norontcan on Saturday 22nd of December 2018 11:03:16 PM

cdnpont · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Great pictures, thanks Ted!

Mike Ward MB · Addicted!

I just went through the same ordeal with my 66 Beaumont, installing a 350. The small block chevys are the same basic dimensions. The problem I had to work around was the long water pump vs the original short pump. Mounting and lining up my alternator and power steering pump was the first item to deal with. Once I got that figured out the next work-around was dealing with the reduced clearance between the water pump and rad.

I removed the spacer from between the rad and the rad cradle to give me some room on the engine side of the rad. The clutch fan assembly I installed is a short unit meant for tight clearance situations. Finished up with a moulded rad shroud for a 66-67 Chevelle. Its been my experience that a shroud is a must to keep the engine temperature under control, even though there wasnt a shroud from the factory on my 66.

If youre interested I can post a couple of pics of my finished install.

cdnpont · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Yes, post some pictures Mike if you can. The more ideas the better.

My original thinking is to keep the bay more or less looking kind of like the 327 should belong there. But you are spot on about the shroud Mike, I've been there with my BBC, and a good shroud configuration works wonders.

I'm still unsure as to why I'm seeing two different configurations of spacer on the 65. But the one with the shroud would probably be the most efficient. Maybe in 65 the more performance 327 got the shroud, the 283 didn't need it?

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

I don't know if I ever remember seeing a shroud on a 65 or even a 66. I think Ken's 66 Grande Parisienne 396 with A/C has a shroud but that's about the only one.

65Camino · Uber Guru

Why not use an electric fan ? More efficient and maybe even cheaper.

Mike Ward MB · Addicted!

I have to figure out how to better manage inserting pictures!

I've only got one blurry picture of my rad setup as it was when I bought the car.

This is what it looks like now

66 327 sd · Guru

Let me know if a photo of an original 66 Beaumont 327 rad set up would be of any benefit.

cdnpont · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Sure, can't hurt Geoff,

I like that Shroud Mike. Probably available as a repop as well since it's Chevelle.

I have no rad, so I might just invest in an aluminum one. I swear by them. But this time I'll choose one with a stamped top tank. Paint it black.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

I just bumped up the thread showing the one I bought. I plan to install it when the engine swap happens. It looks great, and I hope it works as well as it looks.

Budgie · Addicted!

Merry Christmas guys. I havent been on for a long time but hoping to start convertible chassis in the new year. But saw this post and thought Id put my 2 cents In. My 65 4 door 327 is the same as the first photo small spacer and drum shroud. and 65 convertible 283 has the 4 spacer in front of radiator and no should. I noticed the rocker covers are different in the first 2 photos, both my cars have the inward crease and raised box for decal like the first photo. Interesting

cdnpont · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Hello Rohan,

So the 65 327 had the dimple style valve covers?

JC2+2 · Poncho Master!

So what year did the upper rad hose move to the drivers side? My 68 came with the drivers side hose and no shroud. I added a shoud from a 70 Impala but had to cut it to fit the P/S pump.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

My 66 is driver's side, so I am guessing that is the first year maybe?

cdnpont · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

I'd say 66 was the first year. Maybe they had a bunch of 64 rads left over so the went into the 65's? It seem like a simple change of the water neck and rad hose was all that was needed to accommodate the left side rad hose in 66.

Off topic, but does anyone (Carl) have a scan from a 67 assembly manual of the small block power steering and alternator mounting and brackets? I'm trying to gather all mine, and they seem to be all over the place. Unsure anymore of how it all works.

Mike Ward MB · Addicted!

As you see in the pictures of my 66 Beaumont, I moved the alternator mount from drivers to passenger side. That was the configuration where it came from in my 72 Nova. I was able to use the existing power steering pump mounting brackets. To be honest Im not sure if that bracket was original, but it mounted the pump on the 307 that was previously in there. Just had to cut a notch out of it to fit. Id have to go and have a look to see the reason for cutting it, I dont remember why.

I distinctly recall working on this vintage of car as a teenager working in a local garage. The power steering belt was always behind the alternator / fan belt. That is how my belts are configured. In most aftermarket brackets Ive seen, they move the power steering belt out front.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

cdnpont wrote:

I'd say 66 was the first year. Maybe they had a bunch of 64 rads left over so the went into the 65's? It seem like a simple change of the water neck and rad hose was all that was needed to accommodate the left side rad hose in 66.
Off topic, but does anyone (Carl) have a scan from a 67 assembly manual of the small block power steering and alternator mounting and brackets? I'm trying to gather all mine, and they seem to be all over the place. Unsure anymore of how it all works.

I'll try to check tomorrow Mark. We just got home from one of our kid's homes where we had our Christmas and I'm pretty lazy right now!

Budgie · Addicted!

Hay guys, I made a mistake. After posting I thought convert has 327 with the 4 spacer. I have since been on here 2 years ago have also bought another 65 4 door Parisienne RHD made in Canada (1 of11 made for export) 283 car. It has a aluminium radiator in it now but the original radiator and spacer sold was the 4 spacer. So that makes both Canadian cars with 4 spacer, 1 -327 & 1-283 & Australian assembled Parisienne with short spacer and drum shroud. I will try and post photo. And yes to dimple rocker covers original on all three cars. Pic (1) oz 4 door pic (2) Canadian convertible

-- Edited by Budgie on Wednesday 26th of December 2018 12:44:48 AM

Budgie · Addicted!

4 spacer - is 4 inches, post didnt like the double dash symbol.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

The parts book lists a shroud for 65 cars if they came with a heavy duty radiator.

Same for 66 except with the addition of air conditioned cars having a shroud also.

Budgie · Addicted!

Arh, very good. Only heavy duty front and rear suspension on convertible
And heavy duty suspension and heavy duty battery on other Canadian car
And I cannot find any info on Aussie car. Motor, paint, interior, all a bit of a mystery

cdnpont · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

So big cooling option gets a shroud.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

It seems that way Mark.

I've parted many 66's over the years including big block cars but never seen a shroud on a Canadian model. I've seen them on US Chevrolet B bodies but never knew if it was original or not.

66 327 sd · Guru

Ill get and post that pic today. In the meantime this old thread may or may not be of interest: canadianponcho.activeboard.com/t63154865/66-67-beaumontchevelle-radiator-and-fan-shroud/