Yet another Replacement Radiator question
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,346
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From: Seattle Area WA
Yet another Replacement Radiator question
I know the best units available are from Tom, however the price is a bit too much for my 17 year old son. His car is a 1976 w/auto and AC. I do not want to spend the time fabing an aftermarket aluminum one to fit either.
That leaves the copper/brass replacements by companies like Ready-Rad and Modine/Proliance. The car always had the correct temp with the stock 4 row, so for his budget we are thinking of staying with the copper/brass ones in the $300 price range. I know Modine has been around for a very long time, does anyone have any comments with regards to quality of the current aftermarket units or is one better than the other.
Thanks,
Scott
That leaves the copper/brass replacements by companies like Ready-Rad and Modine/Proliance. The car always had the correct temp with the stock 4 row, so for his budget we are thinking of staying with the copper/brass ones in the $300 price range. I know Modine has been around for a very long time, does anyone have any comments with regards to quality of the current aftermarket units or is one better than the other.
Thanks,
Scott
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by Scott Marzahl
Yes they do, but they are not a direct fit and will require some rework to make it fit correctly.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
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From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
It's really not that much work to get the Summit radiator to fit. That radiator is only $180 or so incl. s/h. Can't beat the price, even if it takes a little effort to get it fit (just my 2c).
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by Scott Marzahl
Thanks, but unfornuately they do not list a 1976 application, up to 1971 and then they skip to 1977 and on, bummer 
However, looking at the dimensions, a '77's radiator looks like it's almost the same size as a '76s. Perhaps someone could jump in and give us the scoop on the differences between the two.
The 5066 SHOULD theoretically fit, though.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,346
Likes: 418
From: Seattle Area WA
Thanks, that was my first approach. A recore job is $400 locally.
The first thing I notice differently about the '77 and on is the water inlet and outlets are configured differently than the '76 radiator.
The first thing I notice differently about the '77 and on is the water inlet and outlets are configured differently than the '76 radiator.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by Scott Marzahl
Thanks, that was my first approach. A recore job is $400 locally.
The first thing I notice differently about the '77 and on is the water inlet and outlets are configured differently than the '76 radiator.
The first thing I notice differently about the '77 and on is the water inlet and outlets are configured differently than the '76 radiator.
Oh and with the price of new radiators, recore jobs are pretty much worthless.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
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From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Originally Posted by Scott Marzahl
That leaves the copper/brass replacements by companies like Ready-Rad and Modine/Proliance.I know Modine has been around for a very long time, does anyone have any comments with regards to quality of the current aftermarket units or is one better than the other.Thanks,Scott
Safety Car
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From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by jackson
Proliance bought the Modine name ... the Modine you "used" to know is no longer in the aftermarket rad business ... order from em & you'll get an offshore rad ... but there's no real USA OE alternative left that I know of.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
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Originally Posted by Scott Marzahl
Thanks, but unfornuately they do not list a 1976 application, up to 1971 and then they skip to 1977 and on, bummer
http://www.usradiator.com/
Also...Dewitts has restoration C/B cores your year in his new catalog...$249..but you would need to get it fit to your tanks...
http://www.dewitts.com/download/2006_2ndEdition.pdf
Rich
Last edited by rihwoods; Aug 31, 2006 at 02:40 PM.
Race Director
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Another source..C/B
http://www.completeradiators.com/sho...lete+Radiators
They have 1976,as well....cheap...
http://www.completeradiators.com/sho...lete+Radiators
They have 1976,as well....cheap...
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: San Diego CA
If we could get some pics of scott's current radiator I think we could find him a pretty good solution.
Right out of Dewitt's catalog:
"Late 1976 Corvettes used a '77 model with a straight upper neck."
If it's a late model '76 then the northern 5066 will fit fine. If it's an early one he'll just have to adjust his hoses.
Right out of Dewitt's catalog:
"Late 1976 Corvettes used a '77 model with a straight upper neck."
If it's a late model '76 then the northern 5066 will fit fine. If it's an early one he'll just have to adjust his hoses.
Race Director
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Originally Posted by Kalway
No company makes OE replacement copper/brass radiators in the states any more due to hazard waste disposal. I called and asked a few companies myself. 
http://www.copper.org/applications/a...radiators.html
Last edited by rihwoods; Aug 31, 2006 at 03:57 PM.
Safety Car
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From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by rihwoods
Well, guess the one in PA and another in AZ are illegal....
http://www.copper.org/applications/a...radiators.html
http://www.copper.org/applications/a...radiators.html
"... Using advanced technologies, including fluxless lead-free brazing, anneal resistant alloys and laser welding..."
Lead-free brazing would eliminate the hazardous waste disposal issue. I'm going to guess they're probably using tin instead, now. The usual c/b radiators are meant to be low cost so they don't want to spend the extra costs on hazardous waste disposal or have to deal with using tin instead of lead.
Race Director
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Originally Posted by Kalway
I don't think those count as OE replacements and will probably cost more than any OE replacement. Also note.
"... Using advanced technologies, including fluxless lead-free brazing, anneal resistant alloys and laser welding...
"... Using advanced technologies, including fluxless lead-free brazing, anneal resistant alloys and laser welding...
http://www.copper.org/applications/a...s/no_flux.html
Last edited by rihwoods; Aug 31, 2006 at 04:41 PM.