Radiator recommendations
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Garland TX
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.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 517
Likes: 20
From: Scroggins Tx
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.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 331
From: Clear Lake Shores Texas
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
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.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Garland TX
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Oxford Ohio
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.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 237
Likes: 3
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.