Radiator?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 156
Likes: 8
From: Allentown Pa.
Radiator?
I have a 71 350/270 4sp vette. I'm told that the radiator can't be repaired. I see radiators selling for $160 to over a thousand! !!
Can someone please enlighten me on the difference and stear me in the right direction please?
Thanks
Can someone please enlighten me on the difference and stear me in the right direction please?
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,110
Likes: 4,173
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi p,
Does your car have a/c or not.
I ask because a/c cars had copper radiators while non a/c cars had aluminum radiators.
What radiator your car had originally will help narrow down what your replacement options are.
Regards,
Alan
Does your car have a/c or not.
I ask because a/c cars had copper radiators while non a/c cars had aluminum radiators.
What radiator your car had originally will help narrow down what your replacement options are.
Regards,
Alan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 19
From: Ocean Springs, MS
St. Jude Donor '07
I just installed a Dewitts in my '64 and it runs nice and cool all the time. Nothing scarier than cruising along and watching your temp gage creep higher and higher. Going to put a Dewitts in my Z28 next. Don't go too cheap! JMO
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
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From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
I am the biggest cheapskate bargain hunter out there but I will not 1/2ass the cooling system,
While the entry price of the Dewitts might seem high at first the peace of mind and Tom being a call or email away is priceless, the radiator he sent me is not a car part as much as it is a work of art....
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 156
Likes: 8
From: Allentown Pa.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,390
Likes: 1,225
From: Tampa Florida
I am the biggest cheapskate bargain hunter out there but I will not 1/2ass the cooling system,
While the entry price of the Dewitts might seem high at first the peace of mind and Tom being a call or email away is priceless, the radiator he sent me is not a car part as much as it is a work of art....
Received the Dewitts BB aluminum radiator today, wow!, it's a work of art.
I was on the phone last week talking to an old radiator guy a friend of mine recommended about installing a new core in my original radiator. Sounded promising, so I was heading out the door to take the radiator to him for the re-core job. My wife stopped me asked me what I was up to.
After explaining what I was doing, she gave me her opinion:
"I'm no Corvette mechanic, but I know when it's time to install a new DeWitts aluminum radiator."
Well, she was right!
Sometimes you just have to stop, listen, and learn.
I was on the phone last week talking to an old radiator guy a friend of mine recommended about installing a new core in my original radiator. Sounded promising, so I was heading out the door to take the radiator to him for the re-core job. My wife stopped me asked me what I was up to.
After explaining what I was doing, she gave me her opinion:
"I'm no Corvette mechanic, but I know when it's time to install a new DeWitts aluminum radiator."
Well, she was right!
Sometimes you just have to stop, listen, and learn.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
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From: Southern NH
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,390
Likes: 1,225
From: Tampa Florida
It is a direct fit, I called before placing my order. The radiator for my '71 BB 4 speed was $359 with free shipping. I took advantage of their last 10% off/free shipping sale and loaded up my basket.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 220
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From: Pasadena MD
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,110
Likes: 4,173
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Quank,
That looks like a nice aluminum radiator.
The inlet and outlet hoses are at a slightly different location and angle than the original Harrison.
Also, the radiator in your picture is set up for a radiator cap and overflow hose.
The original radiator in P71's car has a surge tank with the radiator cap on it.
Also, I'm not sure from the single picture just how it might be mounted in the core support since it appears it doesn't have the 2 required 'pegs' on its bottom, nor the center bracket on the top, center for mounting to the top of the core support.
These things may or may not be a concern to potential users.
Regards,
Alan
That looks like a nice aluminum radiator.
The inlet and outlet hoses are at a slightly different location and angle than the original Harrison.
Also, the radiator in your picture is set up for a radiator cap and overflow hose.
The original radiator in P71's car has a surge tank with the radiator cap on it.
Also, I'm not sure from the single picture just how it might be mounted in the core support since it appears it doesn't have the 2 required 'pegs' on its bottom, nor the center bracket on the top, center for mounting to the top of the core support.
These things may or may not be a concern to potential users.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Oct 8, 2014 at 02:40 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,606
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From: No Where USA
Go on E bay and get a Champion aluminum radiator, I put one in my 80 and keeps the 383 at 180 all day with no problems. It will cost around $200. Unless you want to spend double on something that will do the same job.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
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From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
When radiator threads pop up seems people go with the cheaper units, Why are people willing to be cheap about a radiator but things like tires , brakes, oil, safety is never a place anyone savvy is willing to say 1/2 assing is a good thing,
I am very cheap, but I will not play it cheap on important stuff and I consider cooling one of them, I knew a fellow lost an 8K engine due to a crap radiator,
So why is it people are so willing to risk it on the cooling system?
So much for thinking I'm the only vette person on a budget....
I am very cheap, but I will not play it cheap on important stuff and I consider cooling one of them, I knew a fellow lost an 8K engine due to a crap radiator,
So why is it people are so willing to risk it on the cooling system?
So much for thinking I'm the only vette person on a budget....
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
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I'd gladly pay extra to take the 'maybe' out of it.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,606
Likes: 344
From: No Where USA
It's your money. I have had numerous so called cheap radiators and never had a problem. I haven't seen to many negative threads or posts on the off brands.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 778
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
But in my case I know as a fact my Dewitts blows away any of the imports, Tom made it up special, wider rows, he could give specs but the devil IS in the details and while the imports "look" good Toms looks like art work and I know it looks just as nice inside it and works as well as it looks.
Back when I thought about the import I called Champion and asked,
Will it cool my big block with ac in florida...the so called techs reply was..."what is a big block?"
Yep, I'm cheap on some things but not important stuff.