Small block using big block radiator
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 319
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Small block using big block radiator
I'm ready to buy a new radiator for my '70. I have a new 355 ready to drop in and I want to up the radiator size to the big block radiator. Do I just buy big block hoses and it fits right up?
This is the style radiator I now have (but OEM):
http://www.griffinrad.com/load_detai...key_id=6-00183
This is what I want to install:
http://www.griffinrad.com/load_detai...key_id=6-00068
This is the style radiator I now have (but OEM):
http://www.griffinrad.com/load_detai...key_id=6-00183
This is what I want to install:
http://www.griffinrad.com/load_detai...key_id=6-00068
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 769
Likes: 36
From: Goose Creek SC
Make sure the radiator support in your car will accept the BB radiator. I have a '68 (originally a 327 car) and was able to put a DeWitts BB radiator in mine, HOWEVER, my car is an AC car and I believe they used the larger radiators in those from the factory even with the SB engines. I do not know if that same applies to a '70 but I would suspect that it does.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 319
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Make sure the radiator support in your car will accept the BB radiator. I have a '68 (originally a 327 car) and was able to put a DeWitts BB radiator in mine, HOWEVER, my car is an AC car and I believe they used the larger radiators in those from the factory even with the SB engines. I do not know if that same applies to a '70 but I would suspect that it does.
So, do you think small block A/C radiator hoses will work? This is my first Chevy and I'm not familiar with the water neck outlet locations or the diameters of the water pump inlet, water neck outlet diameters between the BBC and the SBC.
Last edited by SteveCurry; Mar 1, 2014 at 12:26 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 319
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Also, anyone have experience with the Ecklers radiator/fans:
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1968-1972.html
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
You may be letting "AC" confuse you. Most factory AC cars got the four row Harrision copper/brass radiator in place of the standard aluminum. Use hoses for the four row and you're fine.
Before you order, you need to ensure the wider core radiator you want will fit your radiator support. Additional brackets are required when swapping from stock aluminim to stock size copper/brass.
Before you order, you need to ensure the wider core radiator you want will fit your radiator support. Additional brackets are required when swapping from stock aluminim to stock size copper/brass.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Mar 2, 2014 at 08:44 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
You may be letting "AC" confuse you. Most factory AC cars got the four row Harrision copper/brass radiator in place of the standard aluminum. Use hoses for the four row and you're fine.
Before you order, you need to ensure the wider core radiator you want will fit your radiator support. Additional brackets are required when swapping from stock aluminim to stock size copper/brass.
Before you order, you need to ensure the wider core radiator you want will fit your radiator support. Additional brackets are required when swapping from stock aluminim to stock size copper/brass.
My question on the A/C cars was primarily about the radiator inlet and outlet positions and tube size. My car is a non A/C 300HP/350 car so it came with the small radiator and the radiator inlet and outlet are in different positions. I want to be able to buy the right hoses to fit.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 350
From: No Where USA
The radiator should bolt in. You could probably get away with a small block hose for the upper, the fittings look the same. The lower you may have to make a hose up for that. You also may get away with a later model lower hose. The second radiator (the one you want) looks similar to the one in my 80.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 319
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The radiator should bolt in. You could probably get away with a small block hose for the upper, the fittings look the same. The lower you may have to make a hose up for that. You also may get away with a later model lower hose. The second radiator (the one you want) looks similar to the one in my 80.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 350
From: No Where USA
You are right Mike. I am sure the OP would be able to figure out some mods to get it to fit.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
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Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
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From: Brighton
http://www.dewitts.com/collections/ls-modified?page=2
Last edited by Tom@Dewitt; Mar 2, 2014 at 09:43 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
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Did you know that we actually make a custom radiator to do exactly what you want to do? Your factory radiator (sb) uses a core support to mount the radiator on two pins on the bottom. The big block radiators and core supports use U brackets that mount completely different. We make a big block design with small block mounting pins.
http://www.dewitts.com/collections/ls-modified?page=2
http://www.dewitts.com/collections/ls-modified?page=2
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
Did you know that we actually make a custom radiator to do exactly what you want to do? Your factory radiator (sb) uses a core support to mount the radiator on two pins on the bottom. The big block radiators and core supports use U brackets that mount completely different. We make a big block design with small block mounting pins.
http://www.dewitts.com/collections/ls-modified?page=2
http://www.dewitts.com/collections/ls-modified?page=2
What fans do you use and what is the CFM rating?
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 319
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