Leaky Radiator
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Leaky Radiator
Lucky me, went out to fix a valve cover gasket on my 79 Vette and found a puddle underneath. A friend is coming over tomorrow to throw a pressure tester on it, I can tell it is leaking but he wants to guarantee it is the radiator before removing it from the Vette.
Questions: Has anyone replaced a radiator? I am wondering if there are any hidden gotcha's?
How much time do you think it will take to get the old one out?
Any useful web pages, etc... that folks are aware of?
Any help on this is greatly appreciated.
Thx
Paul
Questions: Has anyone replaced a radiator? I am wondering if there are any hidden gotcha's?
How much time do you think it will take to get the old one out?
Any useful web pages, etc... that folks are aware of?
Any help on this is greatly appreciated.
Thx
Paul
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
There's a lot of ways to remove the rad on a Vette, none of them easy. Basically, the rad and the shroud have to come out together. Here is a previous thread on the subject. Good luck,
Gary
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...tor-again.html
Gary
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...tor-again.html
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Replacement
I believe all parts on my Vette are original. Can I replace the radiator with a new one or do I need to get this one repaired.
I'm speaking of the number associated with my Vette.
Thx
Paul
I'm speaking of the number associated with my Vette.
Thx
Paul
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
How do I know which radiator to buy?
This probably shows how inexperienced I am. How can I determine which radiator to purchase? There are several on dewitts web site.
I have a stick with a/c. I'm guessing that makes a difference.
Thx
Paul
I have a stick with a/c. I'm guessing that makes a difference.
Thx
Paul
Safety Car
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From: North Easton Mass
Rick B.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Got the old out
Well I got the old out, actually it went pretty easily. The whole thing took less than 45 minutes. I think what helped was my cousin was on one side and I on the other, when the lower radiator outlet ran into the A Frame my wife took my spot and I went underneath and between the three of us we were able to tweak it out w/o damaging anything. I hope the replacement goes in as well as that came out.
What does this mean?
"Have your original recored. Replace all the seals while you're in there."
I am ordering from dewitts.com as previously mentioned. Will they be able to guide me? To what the above means.
Thx
Paul
What does this mean?
"Have your original recored. Replace all the seals while you're in there."
I am ordering from dewitts.com as previously mentioned. Will they be able to guide me? To what the above means.
Thx
Paul
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Well I got the old out, actually it went pretty easily. The whole thing took less than 45 minutes. I think what helped was my cousin was on one side and I on the other, when the lower radiator outlet ran into the A Frame my wife took my spot and I went underneath and between the three of us we were able to tweak it out w/o damaging anything. I hope the replacement goes in as well as that came out.
What does this mean?
"Have your original recored. Replace all the seals while you're in there."
I am ordering from dewitts.com as previously mentioned. Will they be able to guide me? To what the above means.
Thx
Paul
What does this mean?
"Have your original recored. Replace all the seals while you're in there."
I am ordering from dewitts.com as previously mentioned. Will they be able to guide me? To what the above means.
Thx
Paul
You should be able to get everything you need from either Dewitt's or one of the Vette vendors. Send a PM to the Dewitt's rep that replied before and I'm sure he can help you.
Rick B.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Done
Well I got the radiator replaced, but I am pretty disappointed in myself. I just got nervous about recor'ing. Thing is the DeWitt was a close match but it still was no replica. I should have gone with the recore. Biggest annoyance is the width is slightly smaller so the radiator can wiggle a bit, when I would have expected it to fit spot on, for the price.
If someone else goes to replace the radiator one thing I learned. It got way easier once I took off the fan. I'm surprised in all the threads no one mentioned this, it took five minutes from thinking I was going to have to return the radiator to DeWitt's because of the longer return pipe on the bottom to getting it in the Vette.
Thx for all the help from everyone, it was great!!!
Paul
If someone else goes to replace the radiator one thing I learned. It got way easier once I took off the fan. I'm surprised in all the threads no one mentioned this, it took five minutes from thinking I was going to have to return the radiator to DeWitt's because of the longer return pipe on the bottom to getting it in the Vette.
Thx for all the help from everyone, it was great!!!
Paul