waterplay

Does anyone know if a radiator support out of a 69 or newer C3 will fit in a 68 without modifications? The support that I have is fine but I would like to get the larger opening. (27” vs. 22” I think) This will also allow me to run the larger and better newer style radiator. According to Dewitt’s the Btu rating of the 68 is 5278btu/m vs. 6479btu/h for the 69 BB. I have not driven the car yet as I just got the engine back so I don’t know if overheating will be an issue. I also did not receive a radiator or any mounting brackets with the car when I purchased it so I am almost starting from scratch either way I decide to go. I will be getting new seals ether way I go and the lower stock 68 air dam is in good shape. What are your thoughts?
Additional info: The engine is a stout 383 SB I did get the better March pulleys (the ones for better cooling not more hp) and a high volume aluminum water pump and I will be using 2 12” electric fans and not the stock fan.

sb69coupe

I don't know for certain whether the mounting holes are in the same location on the inner fenders and the lower crossmember. It appears that the inner fender reinforcement is the same for 68 and up. I think the lower crossmember is the same too, but again, I'm not certain.

I do know that the '68 support is styled like the midyears, while the '69 and up is of a very different design. Hopefully someone else who has experience with the '68 will chime in.

markdtn

Cannot speak from experience on a 68 but I have a 76L-81 support in my 69 and it is a bolt in swap. I like the brackets better on the later support. 68-69 frames interchange and 68-9 have the same front clip and inner fenders, don't know why it wouldn't work.

BBShark

I was told that using the 69 support in a 68 would require changing the extension brackets and front crossover. This is the information that Tom Dewit gave me back when I was looking at this:

"The 68 core support is a one year wonder and unique to 1968. Nothing else will fit and directly mount to the frame horns without major re-work. So I'd keep the same mounting and go with the BB radiator in aluminum"

I have my car completely apart and I'm not sure I believe that. If you need pictures or measurements to help you decide, let me know.

big_G

The 68 rad. uses 2 protrusions on the bottom of the rad. to locate it in the core support. The 69 uses brackets on the bottom of the core support to locate the rad.To use a 69-72 support, you will need the end brackets for the tanks, and if using a shroud, you will need shroud mounting brackets. Note that 69 used a 26 or 27 inch radiator. Make sure which rad. you will use before ordering the core support, shroud and brackets. They are different. G/L

wombvette

The frame horns on the 68 are like the midyears, thus the support has a different attachment. The 69 up will not work without lots of modifications.

big_G

Oops, ya got me there, you will need to trim the frame extensions and remove the core support mounts to clear the wider radiator, but a larger radiator is worth it, IMO. This is not a drop-in mod, some creativity is involved.

Techno

The support for a BB and SB are different. You might want to check into that for the 68 increase with a garranteed fit.

66CorvetteCoupe

Save yourself a bunch of trouble, call Dewitts and order one of his Alum units with the dual fans. I recently completed a 68 BB coupe 427 alum heads and 11.5-1 compression. I live in the hot south and on a 95 deg day the 427 runs down the road at 165 - 170 with a 160 deg stat. In traffic it runs no warmer than 190 degs. I silled around the rad real good with rubber and installed a new lower chin spoiler. I can't say enough about Dewitts those things work !! Your 383 should run cool as a cucumber with his set up. Good Luck with it.

waterplay

Thanks for all the info. I got way to busy yesterday and could not monitor the question I asked. It sounds like I will be contacting Dewitt’s and ordering one of there units. I guess with all the rest of money I spent what’s a few hundred more. Thanks again for the help.