Radiator recommendations
10-07-2013, 04:31 PM
#1
Cruising
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Location: Garland TX
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Radiator recommendations
My car: 71 small block with auto trans, 14 months at a shop and had to tow it out after they went out of business, leaving me with an incomplete mess.
I just bought a $200 shroud and had my OEM radiator tested and repaired but discovered it was 1" too long. (I found out on Saturday that the local shop removed my original radiator and gave me a different one). Now I need to reconsider my options.
One option is just buy an OEM style direct fit copper radiator that fits and install it. I think that would cost $400-$500 plus I've already spent $200 for the shroud. Or I could get the Dewitts Aluminum direct replacement for $500, too. Total cost would be around $600-$700.
Another option I'm leaning towards is buying a $500 Dewitts aluminum direct replacement radiator and then returning the shroud for a $200 credit towards a $440 aftermarket Flex-A-Lite Dual Electric Radiator Fan System. That would get me a pretty decent setup for $740 plus I could sell the stock fan to reduce my total cost a bit more.
Anyone have any other ideas? I'm OK spending $750 if it makes sense and avoids more $$ down the road. It's a stock motor but I'll probably want more HP after getting it back on the road next year. It's not going to be a show car either.
I just bought a $200 shroud and had my OEM radiator tested and repaired but discovered it was 1" too long. (I found out on Saturday that the local shop removed my original radiator and gave me a different one). Now I need to reconsider my options.
One option is just buy an OEM style direct fit copper radiator that fits and install it. I think that would cost $400-$500 plus I've already spent $200 for the shroud. Or I could get the Dewitts Aluminum direct replacement for $500, too. Total cost would be around $600-$700.
Another option I'm leaning towards is buying a $500 Dewitts aluminum direct replacement radiator and then returning the shroud for a $200 credit towards a $440 aftermarket Flex-A-Lite Dual Electric Radiator Fan System. That would get me a pretty decent setup for $740 plus I could sell the stock fan to reduce my total cost a bit more.
Anyone have any other ideas? I'm OK spending $750 if it makes sense and avoids more $$ down the road. It's a stock motor but I'll probably want more HP after getting it back on the road next year. It's not going to be a show car either.
10-07-2013, 04:41 PM
#2
In my 75 with A/C and Texas summers I have a Champion 3-row, stock shroud with extension, stock fan and new clutch. The fit and finish is perfect and it cools perfect. The radiator was about $200 shipped.
10-07-2013, 04:53 PM
#3
Burning Brakes
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I put a Dewitt direct fit in my 69 L46 and it worked great with the stock fan. 180 degrees even in the middle of Texas summers. It also fit perfectly.
10-08-2013, 08:20 AM
#7
Cruising
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10-08-2013, 10:00 AM
#8
Pro
Virtually everything else I put on my car, that was not OEM, needed at least some degree of tweaking to get the right fit up. Not so with the DeWitts radiator. Went in with no issues.
10-08-2013, 10:31 AM
#9
Race Director
10-08-2013, 10:42 AM
#10
Drifting
Dewitt's. I have them in the 71, 75, 78, and a 1st gen Camaro, and they all have worked well. There may be others who would work for you, but I didn't want to conduct an experiment when I replaced my radiators.
10-08-2013, 11:18 AM
#12
There is a Company on eBay that sells an aluminum radiator/2 fan package that they guarantee for life. They have a 99.8 approval rating and the price is right. I'm ordering one of their combos today. I'll PM you the info. I have no connection to the seller and I'll report back after putting some miles on the fan/rad.