AZ78Vette

I am haiving to replace my radiator on my stock 78 and i was wondering if you guys could tell me 1. Should i go aluminum or stock and if i go aluminum will I notice a difference? 2. Is the Aluminum radiator mid America sells any good?


Thanks

Scott Marzahl

If you want an aluminum rad for your '78, I would buy a DeWitts if you have the budget for one and you can find them on the left column. You don't mention the brand Mid America sells so no comment on that.

burners

You will notice a difference. I can't comment on Mid America as I have no experience with the product. I just used an off the shelf Griffin AL 2 row. I had to tweak the mounts very slightly but the radiator was something like $150 so it was worth it in my opinion. It's been running great for 20 or 30K miles.

AZ78Vette

yeah it is a DeWitts is the one they sell

79plasticchevy

I went with the aluminum rad from dewitts also... Great product and couldn't be happier with it. If you buy another rad make sure it's a dewitts. You won't be sorry.

One of the few times I haven't had buyers remorse.

AZ78Vette

DeWitts or BeCool which is better??

mrvette

You going to order one through shipping instead of locally, better get a DeWitts....one way or another, they fit, work, and he backs them up...

your chances of facing a long downtime are minimal....dealing locally with a supplier, you will have to dick with the product to make it fit, and of course you can run down the street if there is a problem....

I think aluminum is a far superior cooling capacity inch for inch to brass....

course if you fabrication skills are up a good bit, you can make lotsa options work.....

AZ78Vette

Ok thanks for the advice i think i am going to to with Dewitts. So will it drop right in or do i have to make a few mods to make it fit?

gmcclurg

The DeWitts matched up perfectly on my 77. I wanted the stock look so I had the black coating put on. I stayed with the stock fan and the temp dropped about 20 deg.

69small block

I used a Dewitts for mu 69 and it fit perfect also they have great customer service I had a leak in mune anf the have fixed it no problem and even painted it for me I wanted mine black

rihwoods

I installed a Dewitts in my 78...it went in just fine...My climate is hot in summer..plus I have A/C...temps never run over 195 or so in 100 f ambient air with A/C on...

0Speed Hound

The DeWitts Direct Fit line is designed to fit in the same location as the factory one with no modifications. Some of the cars require custom made rubber isolators that DeWitts supplies but none of those cars are C3s. I offer DeWitts to all my customers first and not a single one has had a complaint or issue. I've done C2s and many C3s with Direct Fits. I love them which is why I use them and sale them.

enkeivette

I installed an All Pro (Northern) aluminum radiator in my 78. I had to shave the mounting brackets a bit to get it to fit, but it was worth it because I saved so much money on the cost of the radiator. Bought it for $320 shipped, from an Ebay store.

Here's an example, not sure who makes this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/77-78...em160201838301

My car runs so cool in fact that I can drive around all day with my electric fans disconnected. Which I did recently on accident, never went over 200 degrees.

If you're going to buy a moving part or something hp related, I wouldn't skimp. But how much better can one company's aluminum be from the next?

79VAVette

Here's an example, not sure who makes this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/77-78...QcmdZViewItem? hash=item160201838301


The picture of this product has a bunch of boxes with "Made in China" in big letters on it..

markdtn

I have a Griffin from DeWitts in my '69. I used a 76L-81 core support and so I have the same setup you are looking for. I bought 4-row isolators from GM. There is a difference in the 3-row and 4-row isolators. It bolted right in.

SLVRSHRK

The Aluminum radiator will be the best option, but if you decide to stay with the copper, be sure you get the radiator for the L-82 regardless of the engine you have in the car. Two models of radiators were used that year, a 3-core and a 4-core model. Be sure to get the 4 core. I just bought one locally for my car and it was $307 ($280 before tax). It will bolt right in.