DeWitts or Be Cool Radiator???
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 699
Likes: 3
From: Millersville, MD
Eastwood's Radiator Black Paint. That's what I used. Over 10 years and still good. It is a high temp. laquer type (but acrylic enamel) paint. Don't use the enamel types from part stores....they will clog the rad's airflow.
Here.......http://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-rad...ack-paint.html
Here.......http://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-rad...ack-paint.html
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
Our product for painting aluminum radiators (or suspension parts)
http://www.dewitts.com/collections/a...ducts/blackice
http://www.dewitts.com/collections/a...ducts/blackice
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
We have twelve (12) free flow flapper check valves that open if any back pressure is present
and fans cycling on/off is normal.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,417
Likes: 336
From: Texas
it would appear you have them wired incorrectly, if they are draining the battery. or your alternator is not up to the task....
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,412
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
I have a Be Cool BB radiator in my 68 for a ZZ4.
I'm going to be building a 496 or 502 BB engine and I hope to get 600 hp. De Witts sells BB stock aluminum replacement radiators for 454's, but last time I looked, I didn't see any information as to their applicability for 496/502 engines running at the ~600 hp range.
I'm going to be building a 496 or 502 BB engine and I hope to get 600 hp. De Witts sells BB stock aluminum replacement radiators for 454's, but last time I looked, I didn't see any information as to their applicability for 496/502 engines running at the ~600 hp range.
Last edited by 68/70Vette; Jan 8, 2015 at 05:43 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 350
From: No Where USA
I have a Champion in my car and it fit great and cools the car. I also have a set of fans I bought on E Bay that look like the Spahl fans. They also work great with no problems with both parts.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 350
From: No Where USA
I just installed my DeWitt's radiator over the Christmas break. It definitely does the job. My car does not go over 160. The only drawback was that the factory mounted dual spal fans needed to be moved over about an inch to clear the control arms. The Champion radiator that I looked at would not have fit well into my 72 coupe without major modifications. Even the Champion rep that I was working with didn't think it would work. Since your car is a 79, you may have better luck. I'm a DeWitts fan at this point.
What major mods could it possibly need to fit the radiator.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 350
From: No Where USA
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 699
Likes: 3
From: Millersville, MD
Our product for painting aluminum radiators (or suspension parts)
http://www.dewitts.com/collections/a...ducts/blackice
http://www.dewitts.com/collections/a...ducts/blackice
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,381
Likes: 416
From: N J
I have a Be Cool BB radiator in my 68 for a ZZ4.
I'm going to be building a 496 or 502 BB engine and I hope to get 600 hp. De Witts sells BB stock aluminum replacement radiators for 454's, but last time I looked, I didn't see any information as to their applicability for 496/502 engines running at the ~600 hp range.
I'm going to be building a 496 or 502 BB engine and I hope to get 600 hp. De Witts sells BB stock aluminum replacement radiators for 454's, but last time I looked, I didn't see any information as to their applicability for 496/502 engines running at the ~600 hp range.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,506
Likes: 139
From: Butler Pa
Why is that amazing? I have a 509 with 550 hp in a '69 that is being cooled by the factory copper/brass small block radiator and 7 blade clutch fan. It's never gone above 190.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,381
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From: N J
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 363
Likes: 3
From: Norwalk Ca
When I went to check out the Champion radiator, I brought along my stock radiator. Keep in mind that it's going in a automatic 72 small block with air. When I compared the champion to the stock side by side, the Champion was significantly thinner than stock. The stock radiator brackets would have had quite a bit of play. Also, the Champion did not have the dimple on the bottom hose outlet and would have given me clearance issues. When I spoke to the guy that sells the Champion radiator, he agreed that it would not fit. He even took pics of my radiator to forward on to Champion to address the issues. I think the Champion radiators made for the later 70's vettes would fit much better. It appears that they are different than the 72 radiators.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
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From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
DeWitt's or Be Cool Aluminum Radiator for '79 Auto and Why? My last DeWitt's developed a leak around the overflow tube on the neck. Didn't seem like it was put together well. Never ever had a problem with cooling though. Let me know which one you would choose and why...
Yea, the first thing I did was contact DeWitt's and basically didn't receive positive response from them regarding the rad. Only 1 out of 3 emails were responded to. Was hoping for some sort of warranty, possibly sending the core back to be replaced or repaired, asking for a new neck, and my last email specified purchasing a new one outright and still no response. So, I know a welder who was able to weld the neck up along with the overflow tube. Unfortunately, welded the inside of the neck too and screwed up the ring surface where the bottom rubber of the cap mates. We did manage to grind down and create a flat surface and create a seal once the cap is installed. When the cap is installed and all ports are plugged, when I blow into the overflow tube, I can't blow, which is good but not sure I want to wing it with this patch work. So, basically on the inside of the hole where the cap goes there is no longer that raised ring where the rubber of the cal would mate.
I took a long time to research radiators and gave Tom a lot of hell I also have given a lot of hell to people like 540 vette, I bought from Dewitts but if I had to do it all over again I would have to think hard about it.
I have started more than one thread talking about radiators and fans trying to gather more real world tech and for the most part the answer is ( if it isn't someone scolding me for even asking ) "it worked great on my car" that just isn't good enough for my quest for more tech.
Most people make a post about radiators only after they are having cooling problems, and the fact is If the car is bone stock or even mild in most cases a b/c replacement will fix their problems,
When one looks at the price of the "import/cheap" aluminum units it's hard not to just step up to one of them, then of course if a person has a modded engine/car and things like auto trans and/or AC they might start thinking they need all they can get the best they can get,
( where I was ) sometimes the best one can get costs the most, not every time,
"Getting what you pay for" shouldn't be used as an excuse for over paying.
I see 540 vette used the Ebay no name Spal dual fans that can be had for around 120.00 shipped,
he runs the Champion import Aluminum radiator and reports no problems cooling his beast.
I have no idea what finally Kool is talking about, the dual 11" fans have trap doors for allowing airflow when the car is moving fast enough and fans do cycle on and off, most all new cars have electric fans that do that, if your battery is draining your alt is too low, I have a alt that is just at 100 amps and never an issue.
The dual 11" doesn't restrict airflow but what I don't care for is how much of the radiator is not covered with shroud, there are several fan set ups that do cover more if not almost all of the Radiator, they are newer models than the 8 or 10 yo 11" duals.
I would have to say that fitting the Champion is hit or miss, people who sell Champion are not "vette" people they are car parts people like the kid selling you a air freshener at pep boys, but if you are into saving a buck and working out possible issues then this might be worth a look.
To the OP, the world of radiators is larger than one forum decide what you really need, and if "bragging rights" are worth 100's to you,
then buy the radiator you want based on your needs....
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
It sounds like you already repaired this issue, but if you want to have us look at it I would be happy to fix it for you. You send it to me, and I'll send it back to you with a new filler neck. I'm sorry you didn't get the email response you deserve.
If you are shopping for another radiator, hang in there because our annual sale is next week.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,412
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
THANKS Like to hear that. I like to spread my purchases around. I've heard a lot of good things about DeWitts. I've now a BeCool on the 68, and so maybe DeWitts on the 70, the dual fans look nice in the photos.
BTW. The 68 has a ZZ4 stock SB engine. When I ordered a BeCool radiator, I ordered a single fan BB radiator!!! Engine runs cold even with 100% ethylene glycol.
