Wading in to this discussion.
First, this only applies to '64. Things changed in '65 so don't assume what I am about to explain applies to '65.
For my own benefit, I will refer to the '64 core supports as the Tall Core Support and the Short Core Support. And I will describe the rads used by their dimensions. I know some guys say 3 row and 4 row but that is meaningless to me and not how PMD described them.
Tom V. I think you have crossed something up. I am pretty certain you DO have the Tall Core Support in your factory Tripower GTO.
I have explained in the past that the Tripower GTO started the year getting the 17.5" tall x 2-5/8" thick radiator. It also got the 3.55 axle. This rad was considered the HD rad option for the GTO but since it was always used with Tripower I do not know if it was included at Extra Cost or part of the Tripower "package".
In early January, PMD decided to switch the Tripower to the 3.23 axle. For a time, all Tripower GTOs continued to get the 2-5/8" thick rad but around March, they started getting the 17.5" tall x 2" thick rad that was standard on all 4 bbl GTOs without A/C.
I believe this was done because PMD believed the thicker rad was not needed with the 3.23 axle.
In any event, at this point if you wanted the HD rad, it was an extra cost option. It was a MANDATORY extra cost option with 3.55 or 3.90 axle. But since I have no original Window Stickers from this time period I do not know how it was treated at that time, additional extra cost or not.
Once it was removed from the standard Tripower equipment content, it definitely was an extra cost option and you had to order it. It continued to be MANDATORY at extra cost if you special ordered the 3.55 or 3.90 axle.
With A/C, all GTOs got the 17.5" tall x 2-5/8" thick radiator.
Consequently, ALL '64 GTOs required the Tall Core Support. Different insulators were used depending on rad thickness.
We know factory build errors did happen so I cannot say that a Short Core Support was never installed in a '64 GTO, but that should be a very rare thing.
All 6 cyl Tempests got either a 15.5" tall x 1.25" thick rad or a 15.5" tall x 2" thick rad.
Consequently they ALL got the Short Core Support, even the A/C builds. These 6 cyl only rads did not have an oil cooler since the Super Turbine and Powerglide auto trannies that were used as alternates to each other were both air cooled.
For the 326 Tempest builds without A/C, the rad was a V8 version 15.5" tall x 2" thick.
For a 326, the Heavy Duty rad option was 15.5" tall x 2-5/8" thick. This rad was MANDATORY if the 3.55 or 3.90 axle was special ordered.
These builds all got the Short Core Support, same one as for a 6 cyl.
A 326 with A/C got the 17.5" tall x 2-5/8" thick rad.
Same rad as might be used in a GTO and same Tall Core Support used.
For the V8 rads, each version came with or without oil cooler. The oil cooler was needed for the water cooled Super Turbine auto trans but often was used in a man trans build with the oil cooler plugs left in place. The V8 rads without oil cooler could only be used in a man trans build.
The A/C option was pretty rare in a '64 Tempest, so you won't find too many that were built with the Tall Core Support.
Tom, I would really like you to confirm that your GTO has the Tall Core Support. Pretty sure it does.
Anybody that believes they have an original Short Core Support in a '64 GTO, I'd like to hear more. Unless evidence is clear, it would be pretty difficult to know if a GTO had front end collision repair with used parts from a wrecking yard resulting in the Short Core Support.
A factory error is not impossible. For KC and Balt builds, the PHS doc will show the intended rad. And the intended rad would dictate the Core Support that should have been installed. Doesn't mean the factory didn't mess up but at least clear evidence of what was intended.
The production of the '64 GTO meant that the usage of the Tall Core Support probably more than doubled from how many would have been needed for the V8 A/C Tempests. From a cost perspective, that probably was a good thing. Still the Short Core Support usage far exceeded the usage of the Tall Core Support.
The above outlines the rad and Core Support usage by application.
But this thread was about the possibility of modifying the Short Core Support to allow the usage of the 17.5" tall rad.
The upper maybe 80% of the two '64 Core Supports is identical. The mount to the frame area is identical
The Tall Core Support measures about 22-1/4" at the center from the upper most top rail to the lower flat bottom. The bottom is a separate fabrication that was spot welded to the upper portion of the Tall Core Support.
I don't have a Short Core Support to measure. Looking at b-man's pic of one, it also looks like the bottom was a separate piece that can be removed by cutting out some spot welds.
If somebody could replicate the bottom piece of the Tall Core Support, it would be fairly easy to cut away the bottom of a Short Core Support and graft on the repro bottom.
I would think you could do it without having to incorporate the frame mount portion which would greatly simplify the fabrication, just cut the Short Core Support off 4" below the top of the frame mounts.
I don't know what kind of market there would be for such a thing. It wouldn't be exactly correct looking unless you opted to fabricate the bottom with the frame mount sections as part of it. And it could be tricky to align it and spot weld it. You could bolt the pieces together, but again not correct.
Other than to make it look correct, I'm not sure the mod would be worthwhile. With a modern rad you probably can live with the Short Core Support.
ccass, after writing all this, I see that is the very thing you are planning.
It makes perfect sense.
I think Tom may have crossed you up. I think once he checks, he will confirm that he does have the Tall Core Support in his GTO and that never changed thruout '64.
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