VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1916-1922 - Model 490 1916 chevrolet 490

Hi Fellas
My Buddy has a 1916 chevrolet 490 and asked me to help him find a radiator. He claims it over heats,he had the water pump checked and tested. The rad thats in it now is not the original. I told him to check the thermostat but he said that there wasn't one in it. Based on my recent reseach there should one. Could it be stuck closed and where is it located?
Thank you in advance

Nope, no thermostat originally installed. Possibly one was added later. Partial plugging of radiator a real possibility.

The 1918 490 was the first year to have a water pump,
1916 and 1917 used a thermosyphon cooling system only.

Either it is not a 1916 or it has a later motor fitted. Or the mechanic was telling furfies.

There is no need for a thermostat if this is a 1916 (or 1917) The engine will need all the waterways open as much as possible. Do not put the licence # in front of the radiator. If he can use the top and bottom tank, he will get the correct honeycomb shaped core by The Filling Station in OR.

Check the engine # underneath the exhaust outlet and the # on the flywheel. If possible to see there also should be a # at the rear spring on right side. If it is a 1916 you will not see any stamped # on the ID plate on the dash board.

:vcca:

does anyone know where I could fine a radiator for a 1916 chevrolet model 490, the filling station rad is very expensive.
Thx

My friend has a spare motor a 1916 chevrolet and would consider trading for a orignal (good condition)radiator.Anyone interested?

Due to the recently very heavy rise in the metal prices the newmade cores of all honeycomb type are expensive. There is probably only one bigger maker at that price, but others will have to charge even a lot more.

The parts to a 490 are very difficult to get, and a useful brass radiator even worse, specially to a 1916/17 working on thermo siphon system. You must find an item in good working condition, or your engine will get hot and damaged.

So in order to get what you really need, you may have to get used to the thought of buying one from Filling Station, the sooner the better.

And, folks, for the future, remember to put the stuff concerning our 490s in the right column. We have our very own and easy to find and use.

:vcca:

There is a very nice unrestored original 1916 Chevrolet 490 Touring on eBay right now in case anyone is interested. Item #170375524203
Vehicle is located in Cortland, NY. What a wealth of information.

Gary

Sure looks like a 1918 to me.

Looks like it has the same steering column, ignition etc. as my 1918 490.

I am certainly no expert, but I thought the steering gears on the '16 were on the firewall of the steering column and changed to the bottom end of the steering column on later model years, or do I have that reversed and it was on the bottom for '16 & '17 and changed to the top starting with 1918?
Other early features that I noticed were the flat windshield, non demountable wheels, straight angle front fenders, large top tank on the radiator, no water pump (thermal-syphon), the oil pump being located on the right side of the engine block and an oil sight gauge. I do know that 1918 models had the new oil pressure gauge. So, I am sure that some of these features were carried over from 1917 to early 1918. What else besides the steering column do you guys believe it is an '18? I would like to learn more about this, so if you guys are willing to share info that would be great. Perhaps the steering column was replaced to the newer style in the '20s?

Thank you for your time,
Gary

The gear type steering box is the earlier type.
My first thoughts were that they were fitted to 1916 and early
1917 year models.. but i have checked the 1916-17-18 parts book and it doesnt break down the years.

The large radiator top tank was for the thermo syphon coolant system without the water pump, and is the earlier of the two types, with i believe the 1918 being the first for the
water pump type of engine.

The best way to be sure of this particular car would be its engine casting date.So maybe someone should check with the seller.
I will do some more research tonight.

I sent an email to the seller, but he has not answered.

The 1916 1917 1918 parts book has pictures of the 1916-17 engine as the thermosyphon and the 1918 is seperately shown
with the water pump and oil pump mounted on the front of the
1918 engine.
I couldn't find any further dating regarding the gear type mounted steering , but the chassis mounted steering box is shown in the same parts catalog aswell.

I have also been shown two different 1916 engine blocks with the oil pump being mounted 2 different ways , 90 degrees rotated to each other. So that was another early factory modification.

Looks like it could be a 1916 except I thought all 16's were drivers door delete.

61vert,

You are right. I missed the drivers door handle. I remember reading that was new for 1917. Chevrolet added the opening of the drivers side door. The VIN for this vehicle is #221479. Is someone able to break this number down? This number seems too high to be a 1916 model.

Gary

Might be an early 17 or late 16 serial #. My book shows 1917 #s from 222507 to 236488. Says serial not used in 16 or prior to July 1 1917. Help someone?

I spoke with a friend of mine over the weekend who used to own a 1918 490 and he said his steering column had the gears at the bottom of the column and not on the firewall. So, this is just adding more controversy to the issue.

Gary

This current eBay listing (item #150387054988) says 1916 Chevrolet 490, but has all the ear marks of a 1918 model, it has a strange top configuration. It appears to be a two-man top with an extra bow in it. I think it is a home made top setup, but was wondering if any of you guys have seen anything else like it? In early aftermarket, perhaps? The purpose for this setup does not make much sense to me.

Gary

There is a 1916 Chevrolet 490 on eBay right now. Item #150416350555. Looks mostly original, but check out the interesting distributor configuration. That I have not seen before. People will come up with just about anything to get it running again. I have not contacted the seller and if this is a true 1916, Note that the steering gear assembly is on the firewall. Also that the speedometer gauge is on the left side of the steering wheel. Could not tell for sure that it is a 3 door. Thought you 490 guys would find this car interesting.

Cheers,
Gary

The left hand front door doesn't seem to have the opening joint
across the body, so looks to be a 3 door 1916 model.
Wheels are non demountable as per 1916 .

The distributor is a small block chevy item.!!!!

Yes, it is a 1916 with 3 doors. And the seller knows there are some few bits not original. I really hope the car will find a good restoration home and go on driving for a lot more years.

That car is about 150 miles from where I live. If anyone is serious about buying it I can go look at it and take a bunch more pictures.

USD 3850 at the moment, but USD 6500 to get it for sure. Would be a good bargain even for a Norwegian buyer, even if it demands a full restoration.