Radiator problems.....
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: Ponte Vedra, FL
Radiator problems.....
Having some radiator leaking problems with my '61. Early (Sept. 1960, 618th car produced) production so I have the 1960 model radiator. Notice recently that I was losing some fluid from the radiator and could see a small amount of fluid on the frame. Problem got a lot worse today. I can actually see fluid dripping from the top seem of radiator -- where the top and side (facing the fan) of radiator join. I also noticed some fluid leaking from the filler tube (almost as if the cap wasn't on tight but it is) and from the small hose going from the filler to the top of the radiator (see photos at http://s926.photobucket.com/albums/a...tevt/Radiator/).
I have no idea how old the radiator is. Seems like it has been painted black all over any markings. Can I use Barr's Stop Leak, or does the radiator seem like it is old so I should replace it?
I have no idea how old the radiator is. Seems like it has been painted black all over any markings. Can I use Barr's Stop Leak, or does the radiator seem like it is old so I should replace it?
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,575
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From: Conroe Texas
You can try Barr's stop leak, many have had great success with it over the years and I've read here on the forum that Barr's stop leak pellets are even added by the factory as a prophylactic measure.
It's a cheap starting point before committing to a new radiator.
It's a cheap starting point before committing to a new radiator.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,500
Likes: 42
From: Staten island New York
buy a new one asap.joe fisher knows alot about this ,he was telling me about the be cool radiators and they paint them black as well a good move for sure !
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,977
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From: Putnam Valley, New York. Amateur Radio Operator K2NS
Radiator
I don't know how long you have owned the car, but it is evidently at least that old. If it is leaking from the upper seam, it has probably rotted out at that location. If it is a copper/brass replacement radiator, it is a possibility that a good radiator shop can fix it. If it is an original or replacement aluminum radiator, they usually cannot be repaired. In your pictures, it looks like it's a copper/brass radiator--I see green oxidized copper just above where the leak is. If you want to get a new one, DeWitt Radiator is a sponsor here and has the best Corvette replacement radiators around. For your car he makes an aluminum replacement radiator that will outperform any copper/brass one around. Have him paint it black, and it will look just like the original. His web address is
http://www.dewitts.com
Go take a look--his products are the best. I have one in my car.
http://www.dewitts.com
Go take a look--his products are the best. I have one in my car.
RON
Last edited by rongold; Sep 10, 2010 at 08:08 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,575
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From: Conroe Texas
"Very early 1961's (to approx. serial #1500) may appear with either '60 style copper radiator or '60 style top tank aluminum radiator."
I remember discussing this with Frank when you were looking at buying this car. I feel your car has a 60 copper style radiator, and so a DeWitt's aluminum radiator may not be the best option of "as original" is desired in this case.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,000
Likes: 659
From: Puget Sound
From Corvette Central:
"Very early 1961's (to approx. serial #1500) may appear with either '60 style copper radiator or '60 style top tank aluminum radiator."
I remember discussing this with Frank when you were looking at buying this car. I feel your car has a 60 copper style radiator, and so a DeWitt's aluminum radiator may not be the best option of "as original" is desired in this case.
"Very early 1961's (to approx. serial #1500) may appear with either '60 style copper radiator or '60 style top tank aluminum radiator."
I remember discussing this with Frank when you were looking at buying this car. I feel your car has a 60 copper style radiator, and so a DeWitt's aluminum radiator may not be the best option of "as original" is desired in this case.
Jim
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: New York New York
2024 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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I talked to Tom and he said to use the 60 style radiator. I also have an early 61, #411, and I purchased his aluminum radiator and had it painted black.
Check it out.
Joe
http://www.dewitts.com/pages/product...asp?ProdID=291
Check it out.
Joe
http://www.dewitts.com/pages/product...asp?ProdID=291
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Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,575
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From: Conroe Texas
I talked to Tom and he said to use the 60 style radiator. I also have an early 61, #411, and I purchased his aluminum radiator and had it painted black.
Check it out.
Joe
http://www.dewitts.com/pages/product...asp?ProdID=291
Check it out.
Joe
http://www.dewitts.com/pages/product...asp?ProdID=291
There you go, the perfect solution - a high quality DeWitt's (I have them in my 62, 65, and 07 vettes) radiator but still with the original look as your copper style radiator.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
Just to re-cap....you do have a 1960 (copper) radiator and that is correct for your car. You could have this radiator re-cored with the correct celluar core that we offer but in the end that process (core + labor) would be more expensive than purchasing our replacement aluminum one (A55M) and the appearence is very close to original.
It's amazing what a coat of paint does, both of these radiators are alumimum
It's amazing what a coat of paint does, both of these radiators are alumimum
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,000
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From: Puget Sound
.For those that don't know, DeWitt's is the ONLY place to get a Corvette radiator. Nobody else can compare.
Jim
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,575
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From: Conroe Texas
When I supercharged my 07 a few weeks ago, adding a DeWitt's 2 row radiator to replace the aluminum/plastic 1 row factory radiator was a no-brainer, considering what I'd seen from Tom's work on my 62 and 65 radiators.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 202
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From: Ponte Vedra, FL
Thanks guys. I pretty much thought I needed a new radiator. I have been reading a lot of old posts on the forum about radiator issues and have been looking at which radiator to purchase. I will try the stop leak but I will plan on getting a new radiator.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Canada's capital
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
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Black with no markings on it means usually a reconditioned rad was used somewhere along the line.If it is a seam that's come apart, odds are a rad shop can resolder it and it'll be good to go. And, they'll tell you if it's corrosion because it'll leak like a sieve during the high pressure test. Could get away cheap for a few more years.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
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Army
Fifty years is a long time for a radiator...if stop leak doesn't work then I would get the DeWitt's, not cheap, but they are just a helluva fine product. I'd save the old one if it proved original and if it just needs cleaned and resoldered...fix it and preserve it for posterity (and as a back up just in case).
I have ALL my old parts including valve springs from the engine rebuild in 2004. Your experience with the '61 echos mine. You buy a nice, 'stand-up' classic car and you start to drive it and all its aches and pains over a half century show up and you wind up fixing them one by one. But, happily at some point, this gets reduced to normal maintenance which is where I finally am (after two years).
I have ALL my old parts including valve springs from the engine rebuild in 2004. Your experience with the '61 echos mine. You buy a nice, 'stand-up' classic car and you start to drive it and all its aches and pains over a half century show up and you wind up fixing them one by one. But, happily at some point, this gets reduced to normal maintenance which is where I finally am (after two years).
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Sep 10, 2010 at 07:55 AM.
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 258
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From: Beaver Falls Pa
I would take it to a local repair shop first. If it is the copper/brass type, they can and do last a long time. I had the top seam let go in my '60 earlier this year. The local guy who does hot rod radiators repaired it for $35.00. When I asked him how long it would last he said "probably longer than you will".
Rod
Rod
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Nevada City Ca.
2015 C1 of Year
I would take it to a local repair shop first. If it is the copper/brass type, they can and do last a long time. I had the top seam let go in my '60 earlier this year. The local guy who does hot rod radiators repaired it for $35.00. When I asked him how long it would last he said "probably longer than you will".
Rod
Rod
Best post I read and did the same many years ago in my 55 and they can get the original center core design also. Original is original or go repro!!
