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Aluminum Radiator ????

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Old May 4, 2005 | 07:30 PM
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Default Aluminum Radiator ????

I am looking at this one on E-Bay. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT

Has anybody else used it? What do you think?

I know everybody here is high on Dewitts but if there is a cheaper one that is good what the heck.
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Old May 4, 2005 | 07:47 PM
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Assuming you still have your stock shroud in place, you'll have to do a lot of modification to get that radiator to fit, especially in the areas where the hoses connect. With no shroud and an electric fan, your job will be a lot easier.
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Old May 4, 2005 | 08:15 PM
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Originally Posted by SkunkApe
Assuming you still have your stock shroud in place, you'll have to do a lot of modification to get that radiator to fit, especially in the areas where the hoses connect. With no shroud and an electric fan, your job will be a lot easier.


I converted to aluminum (Northern) with electric fans (dual spals) using a rad that looks very similar to the one your looking at. If it matters to you it does not come with a drain bung, i had one added in. I also had the lower neck angled up to approximate stock. You then have to deal with finding hoses that fit. I was able to find a direct fit one for the lower after angling it up, the upper i used a universal. By the time i was done it wouldn't have cost that much more to buy a direct fit from Dewitt.
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Old May 4, 2005 | 08:21 PM
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Originally Posted by SkunkApe
Assuming you still have your stock shroud in place, you'll have to do a lot of modification to get that radiator to fit, especially in the areas where the hoses connect. With no shroud and an electric fan, your job will be a lot easier.

I have a 1981 and the radiator looks like the one in the pic. I have not measured it but it looks close. You are saying this one will not fit? Why?
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Old May 4, 2005 | 09:22 PM
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Originally Posted by SMH
I have a 1981 and the radiator looks like the one in the pic. I have not measured it but it looks close. You are saying this one will not fit? Why?
The physical dimensions may match, but look at the pics of the inlet & outlets where the hoses attach. If those are pointing in the wrong direction, you will need some fabrication work.
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Old May 5, 2005 | 06:55 AM
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i put a 84-92 camaro radiator on my 79, the only problem is getting the lower outlet hooked to a hose. fortunately, my original hose was still in good shape, and also fortunately, the old auto parts store, you know the non-chain, been there forever, rescued my butt my times, keeps old discontinued radiator hoses, so the guy gives me 2 hoses with lots of bends for the price of 4 hose clamps. i go home find an angle on one of the hoses that if cut right will point up to the existing hose. so i install everything and use a 4 inch section of 1 1/2" of aluminum scrap exhaust tubing(also glomed for free) to splice the 2 hoses together with a double hose clamp on each side of the splice. cost about $122 for rad & clamps. rad is from autozone, alum& plastic, lifetime warranty. for $329 i'd buy one that fits even if it costs a little more than $329.
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Old May 5, 2005 | 07:58 AM
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Why go looking for hassles? If you modify one you buy, you voided whatever warranty you did have. That lower hose is a pain in the right application, why make it worse. Get one from DeWitts, bolt it in, and be done.
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Old May 5, 2005 | 05:50 PM
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Buy one from Tom Dewitt. Get the Spal fan kit also. I did and haven't regretted it for a minute. Simple bolt in and the quality is top notch.
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Old May 5, 2005 | 09:14 PM
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When you consider that the radiator is one of the most important devices protecting your expensive engine, doesn't it make sense to fit one that is designed for the job? In my case, I'm hoping, but not optimistic, that my radiator (original) will be OK. It will have to be tested at a shop, but if I have any doubts it will be replaced by a Dewitts. If you follow this forum long enough you learn who the trusted vendors are, and Dewitts looks to be one of them.

Rick B.
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Old May 5, 2005 | 09:47 PM
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You will have to modify the lower connection so that the hose fits correctly - this will probably be $80 at a radiator shop that can weld aluminum.... get this one for $499 at MidAmerica or other vendors and be done with it.....
that one on Ebay is $329 plus shipping plus the modification.... you don't safe much...

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Old May 6, 2005 | 09:38 PM
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Originally Posted by SMH
I am looking at this one on E-Bay. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT

Has anybody else used it? What do you think?

I know everybody here is high on Dewitts but if there is a cheaper one that is good what the heck.
The first thing that jumps out at me with this one is that the core is the wrong size. The 77-82 core is 26.25" and this one is listed at 25.8. That means the "U" brackets will have to be bent in to get the radiator to fit. The lower tube does look a few degree off and the trans cooler connections look to be NPT pipe thread. That means adapters to hook up the stock lines. The 80-82 model uses 1 1/4" upper hose and this one has 1 1/2. Our model A77 has both sizes incorporated into one fitting. The top rail or channel is open like a gutter to collect all kinds of junk and stuff and it does not have the tank relief on the driver side tank that is important for proper hood closure.
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Old May 7, 2005 | 06:44 AM
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Thanks thats what I wanted to know. Looks like it is Dewitts.

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