Tracking down parts...

[SmoothNlow]

I have a 69 Miller hearse. From the best I gather it is a fleetwood. (Im new to hearses, still researching and learning) I am having trouble finding parts.

First is the brake master cylinder. Is this standard fleetwood or is it commercial chassis specific? No one seems to know, and I haven't even found one available for a standard fleetwood.

My second issue is the radiator. Mine is shot. The tank has holes and it leaks at the cores as well. However the problem I'm having is that every place that offers a radiator only offers it without the heater return! What am I to do with my other heater core line then? Also is the radiator CC specific as well? I have some old hollander interchange manuals so I'm gonna look and see if any other radiator is compatable. Are there any alternative rads that will work?

Any help is much appriciated. Thanks!

[Abnorml]

If you have a NAPA or Car Quest close, I would go there. They have books and don't just rely on computers. I'm pretty sure the brakes components and radiator are commercial chassis parts. The engine is the same as a Fleetwood or Deville of the same year.

[SmoothNlow]

I actually work at napa haha we don't offer a master cyl. My rad jus let loose today so ill check the books and see if we have a listing on radiators specifically for commercial chassis. The radiators we offer also do not have the heater return...i cant wrap my head around that...I've called around and no one as of yet can help. That's why I was wondering if there was an interchange. Thanks!

[Boogeyman Con Carne]

Where do you live? I have the best luck at IAPA / mom and pop / independent places that have OLD books. I'll do some digging, may have some leads...

[kaptinkaos]

Try this junkyard in Phoenix, they will ship & they have nothing but Caddy's.

Cadillac Parts: 800 653-5865

[Mohawk Freak]

Some had the radiator nip and some didn't. There is a boss on the right front near the water pump where they tapped a nip into when they didn't use the radiator. Almost every GM from the late 60s into the 70s the radiators were the same length and height. I'm sure I have one with the nip if you are in the east. You could get yours recored also.

[Beladona_13]

Brake master cylinder is available from Shucks / O'reilly auto parts:

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/A1C0/101398.oap?pt=01292&ppt=C0066

It is the same as a standard fleetwood. The only real difference in the braking system between CC and standard fleetwoods or devilles are the rear wheel cylinders. CC used a larger bore.... that's it! Other years the shoes and drums may also be different, but 69 uses all easily obtainable brake parts from a standard RWD Cadillac.

As for the radiator, I tend to use Mom & Pop radiator shops, they can usually fix yours cheaper than you can purchase a replacement. Another option is 1-800-Radiator.

https://www.1800radiator.com/

They usually have a decent radiator for a reasonable price. Your radiator should intechange from 1968 to 1976. Mohawk is right, some radiators don't have the provision for the heater hose. Instead the hose attached to the block under the alternator straight down from the thermostat housing. On models that used a radiator connection there isn't usually a provision on the block.

PM me if you need further assistance.

Cheers!
Christin

ASE Certified Brake technician
ASE Certified Parts technician
ASE certified Engine repair technician
Certified Cadillac nut

[pyro]

I would rather has the heater connection at the manifold. On the radiator is just another place to leak.

[Mohawk Freak]

Just dawned on me the master in my 73 1 ton Chevy looked just like the one in my hearse with 2 hold downs for the cap and a little larger than a Catalina or Impala. It was probably the same part. That hearse is a truck in some ways underneath. Much cooler of course.

[SmoothNlow]

Thanks for that # kaptin ill keep it in mind I love dealing with places like that.

Mohawk, my step dad told me the same thing. He said there may be an plug I could put a fitting into for the other heat line. But he wasn't sure if all blocks had the provision. I'm gonna check that after work. I am on the east BTW in maryland near Ocean City.

Beladona, thanks for the great info. I could not find anyone who could tell me if the brake systems were specific to the CC. After a little more research I see your correct in that the only difference is wheel cylinders. That's a big relief for me. That gives me a better idea of what I need to be looking for.

My next hurdle will be a gas tank. My beautiful 69 was headed to the crusher because the funeral home owner said, "that car is not to be used for pleasure" luckily with some quick thinking and smooth talking (and some $) It was saved it from being crushed. But they had already yanked the tank. Any info on tanks and sending units?

Thanks a lot for the advice and help guys.

[SmoothNlow]

Mohawk, looked it up at work, the 73 C 30 is nearly identical. Only difference I see is that the 73 chevy C30 has a 1.125 inch bore as opposed to the fleetwoods 1 inch bore.

Now that I know what application to use, I will have my MC tomorrow afternoon. Now just hunting sown a rad and fuel tank and sending unit. Thanks!

[Mohawk Freak]

In case you were wondering, this a 70 472 with the nip in the front. It also has the nip on the radiator.


Hose1.jpg
The other is a 75 500 there is no nip in front but there is one on the back of the head. Another 500 I have is the same way.hose2.jpg

[SmoothNlow]

Well this is gonna make me sound like a really uneducated car guy, but youll haveto take my word that I build some pretty slick customs haha...

Turns out that the top and bottom radiator hoses were leaking slightly which was wetting the core at the top and leaking from the center at the bottom. Put the rad under pressure and it held fine. It has a lot of rust and scale in it tho. So a complete flush and new hoses are in order.

On another good note, the wife and I purchased a 1959 four door HT! Her dream car so were off to NC to get it tomorro. Thanks guys!

[spastic_chicken]

There are differences between the passenger car and commercial chassis master cylinders. Although the bore is the same, I understand the internals were designed heavier duty to withstand the weight of the much heavier commercial chassis.

[spastic_chicken]

There is also a "CC" cast into the commercial master cylinder.