Need a G2 W-MO 11/64 Radiator

[DaveM]

Continuing the tradition of sporadic cries in the dark ... I need a G2 W-MO 11/64 radiator.

And, after doing my typical OCD deep dive (kinda ridiculous, actually), I'll offer the following disjointed comments, with apologies for repeating what many of you already know.

1. Although I've seen many internet posts about all '65 GT350's, especially early builds, having only G2's, I do remember one post on some forum where the poster (legit) said he had photos of early cars with a Y2. But his post was so long ago, and I lost it among my thrashing, so I can't link it now. If I find it I'll edit this.

2. Regardless of whether all early build '65s had only G2's, I've yet to see any substantive discussion of the physical differences, if any, between Y2's and G2's (other than that designation); or of any other substantive differences between the two. (I had a chance to buy an 11/64 Y2 at SAAC-50 but passed.)

3. Keith Litteken has posted for years for a 2/65 G2. I have one, and reached out to him a couple of days ago. As soon as I acquire an 11/64 I'll let Keith have mine for the same price. (BTW, other than my car being raced pretty hard in the mid-70s, and losing many of its original parts in the owner's quest to go faster, I don't know why it has a 2/65 radiator.)

All leads, suggestions, and comments welcome - and thanks in advance.

Paul and Bo: I've got your contact info, and have been urged to reach out to y'all about other hard to find items on my list. (I'm in Plano, TX.)

And continuing thanks to Rick, Charles, Buddy, Brother Tom, and everyone else.

Dave
5S043

[Vernon Estes]

Hey Dave,

#1) There is no physical difference between a Y2 and G2 as far as I know. I got this information from a close friend who has taken apart as many of these radiators as anyone else. He has intimately compared the two radiators and there is no difference.

#2) (bracing for impact) I think it is safe to say correctly that 65 Shelbys were SUPPOSED to have G2s. However, Y2s show up in the cars from the factory as well, just at a far lesser rate. This has long been a controversial topic but recently I have come into contact with two cars which were delivered with Y2 radiators. The first is 5S332 which was found in 1969 in a pineapple grove in Hawaii as a complete but non-running car. I bought it from the gentleman who bought the car in 69... he never started working on the car, simply saved it to one day restore it. He moved to San Diego where I got it out of his backyard under a leanto shed.  The car had all of its original parts intact, had never been disassembled, and had a 3-65 Y2 radiator in it. More recently I bought 5S345 out of Southern California- the car is original paint and retains all of its significant original parts. Has a 3-65 Y2 radiator. I have a receipt from the early 80s from when it was re-cored by the third owner.

I'll restate that the vast majority of cars did come with G2 radiators even in the close proximity of 332 and 345 there are still more cars in that gap which I've seen with G2 radiators. For example, I bought 5S335 (which is without question one of the most original cars on earth) last year and it has a 3-65 G2 in it as the factory intended.  Worth mentioning... the Ford VINs of 332 and 345 are extremely close to one another while the Ford VIN of 335 is a couple hundred away from the other two. In my mind, it is rational to assume that the line could have momentarily run out of G2 radiators and subbed in Y2s during that  brief time... but that is just an assumption.

When restoring a car I think it is best to default to the most commonly seen part (in this case G2 radiators) when the car's is lacking the part. But I will say that it makes my stomach turn when I see someone with something like a Y2 in an otherwise very honest looking car setting it aside and paying thousands of dollars for the G2 that there car is "supposed" to have.

Seat belts are another topic similar to this G2 vs Y2 topic.

Hope this is helpful,
Vern

[DaveM]

Thanks, Vern. Much appreciated.

Check your inbox.

- Dave

[98SVT - was 06GT]

AI version is below. Since people have taken these apart and seen no difference were they different suppliers? The AI says "different version of same part". Were things like tube thickness checked, a different hole in a bracket, weight? I could see Ford bean counters saying we could save a few ounces of brass if we use thinner material.

Did any of the San Jose cars use the soldered on tag or were they all stamped in the top tank?
https://www.amkproducts.com/parts/ford/radiator-tags/

The Y2 and G2 markings on a Ford radiator refer to different versions of the same component used on classic 1965 Mustangs. The primary difference is the date of manufacture, as the G2 designation was typically used earlier in the model year before transitioning to the Y2 mark.
Key distinctions
Production timeline: The G2-stamped radiator is generally considered the earlier version for 1965 V8 Mustangs with a manual transmission. Production shifted to the Y2 marking around May 1965.
Vehicle application: Both G2 and Y2 radiators were used on 1965 V8 Mustangs equipped with a manual transmission, particularly those from the San Jose assembly plant. The exact changeover is not precise, and some examples exist of both codes appearing around the transition period.
Stamping location: For 1965 Mustangs from the San Jose plant, the code (G2 or Y2) was stamped directly into the top tank of the radiator, not on a metal tag.
Significance for restoration: For classic Mustang restorers, getting the correct date-coded radiator is important for an authentic, "concours" level restoration.

[J_Speegle]

Western Modine - the company that supplied radiators to San Jose appear to have changed the practice of stamping the identification into the top tank to the a soldered on metal tag during July 1965. The date stamped in the top tank metal continued after the change in the identification code location.

Link below shows two different Mustang radiators both made/stamped 7/65. One with and one without the identification codes.

65/66 San Jose Radiator Markings
 

[Bob Gaines]

AI version is below. Since people have taken these apart and seen no difference were they different suppliers? The AI says "different version of same part". Were things like tube thickness checked, a different hole in a bracket, weight? I could see Ford bean counters saying we could save a few ounces of brass if we use thinner material.

Did any of the San Jose cars use the soldered on tag or were they all stamped in the top tank?
https://www.amkproducts.com/parts/ford/radiator-tags/

The Y2 and G2 markings on a Ford radiator refer to different versions of the same component used on classic 1965 Mustangs. The primary difference is the date of manufacture, as the G2 designation was typically used earlier in the model year before transitioning to the Y2 mark.
Key distinctions
Production timeline: The G2-stamped radiator is generally considered the earlier version for 1965 V8 Mustangs with a manual transmission. Production shifted to the Y2 marking around May 1965.
Vehicle application: Both G2 and Y2 radiators were used on 1965 V8 Mustangs equipped with a manual transmission, particularly those from the San Jose assembly plant. The exact changeover is not precise, and some examples exist of both codes appearing around the transition period.
Stamping location: For 1965 Mustangs from the San Jose plant, the code (G2 or Y2) was stamped directly into the top tank of the radiator, not on a metal tag.
Significance for restoration: For classic Mustang restorers, getting the correct date-coded radiator is important for an authentic, "concours" level restoration.

There are also verified unmolested examples of Y2 top tank embossing that were modified with a single letter embossed "G" soldered over a slightly stamped done Y . This further shows how little difference there is between the Y2 and G2 that Ford or Modine made that slight change to inventory on hand to make them visually comply.

[Vernon Estes]

AI version is below. Since people have taken these apart and seen no difference were they different suppliers? The AI says "different version of same part". Were things like tube thickness checked, a different hole in a bracket, weight? I could see Ford bean counters saying we could save a few ounces of brass if we use thinner material.

Did any of the San Jose cars use the soldered on tag or were they all stamped in the top tank?
https://www.amkproducts.com/parts/ford/radiator-tags/

The Y2 and G2 markings on a Ford radiator refer to different versions of the same component used on classic 1965 Mustangs. The primary difference is the date of manufacture, as the G2 designation was typically used earlier in the model year before transitioning to the Y2 mark.
Key distinctions
Production timeline: The G2-stamped radiator is generally considered the earlier version for 1965 V8 Mustangs with a manual transmission. Production shifted to the Y2 marking around May 1965.
Vehicle application: Both G2 and Y2 radiators were used on 1965 V8 Mustangs equipped with a manual transmission, particularly those from the San Jose assembly plant. The exact changeover is not precise, and some examples exist of both codes appearing around the transition period.
Stamping location: For 1965 Mustangs from the San Jose plant, the code (G2 or Y2) was stamped directly into the top tank of the radiator, not on a metal tag.
Significance for restoration: For classic Mustang restorers, getting the correct date-coded radiator is important for an authentic, "concours" level restoration.

There are also verified unmolested examples of Y2 top tank embossing that were modified with a single letter embossed "G" soldered over a slightly stamped done Y . This further shows how little difference there is between the Y2 and G2 that Ford or Modine made that slight change to inventory on hand to make them visually comply.

Most examples of the soldered over Y2 >>> "G2" have been seen on early 65s, correct? I can't personally remember seeing that on a mid or late production car but that's just from my own memory.

An example of one of those cars is 5S087 where we have a b/w photograph of the cars engine compartment at SAI with the soldered G2 on its 11/64 rad.

Kind regards,
Vern

[J_Speegle]

Most examples of the soldered over Y2 >>> "G2" have been seen on early 65s, correct? I can't personally remember seeing that on a mid or late production car but that's just from my own memory.

My records show it (Y2 to G2) to have been an October - November 1964  issue at Western Modine

Do have other examples where others were "changed" to Z's or Y's over G's for example during other periods of production 

The adding of the "new" letter may not have been a change after the radiator was made but a lack of top tanks stamped correctly at the moment the radiators needed to be assembled. Have not see anything that documents why just leaving it open to both possibilities.