1970 LT 1radiator.
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
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1970 LT 1radiator.
Having trouble finding information on 1970 LT 1 radiator. I do know They are brass and not aluminum but I have conflicting information on which ones will are correct . I definitely want a brass one. If I could find a used one with the correct date that would be great. Car was built first quarter 1970.Thank you in advance.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Green Valley Ca
The part number for a copper radiator is 3018803, and the radiator tag is MK9. The shroud is part number 3956109 and the shroud extension is part number 3956118. Good luck finding an original radiator.
Bob
Bob
Team Owner
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From: Crossville TN
You should know that a copper-core radiator is going to be expensive and maybe hard to come by. But, if that's what you must have, good luck.
From the standpoint of "function", you do not want nor need a copper radiator. Back in 1970, copper was plentiful and cheap; aluminum was 'new' and more expensive. So GM put less-expensive copper cores in their radiators. However, the performance engines with A/C got the BEST aluminum-core radiators, as they got rid of more heat and were necessary for the coolant system to be successful with a BB powerplant and A/C...especially in hot environments.
Today aluminum radiators are inexpensive and easy to find. And they are functionally better than copper-core radiators. Also, when you paint the cores with 'radiator black' paint, no one know which metal was used to produce it. If you are doing this for NCRS judging, so be it. Otherwise, you would do better with an aluminum core radiator.
From the standpoint of "function", you do not want nor need a copper radiator. Back in 1970, copper was plentiful and cheap; aluminum was 'new' and more expensive. So GM put less-expensive copper cores in their radiators. However, the performance engines with A/C got the BEST aluminum-core radiators, as they got rid of more heat and were necessary for the coolant system to be successful with a BB powerplant and A/C...especially in hot environments.
Today aluminum radiators are inexpensive and easy to find. And they are functionally better than copper-core radiators. Also, when you paint the cores with 'radiator black' paint, no one know which metal was used to produce it. If you are doing this for NCRS judging, so be it. Otherwise, you would do better with an aluminum core radiator.
Safety Car
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From: PHOENIX AZ. WHAT A MAN WON"T SPEND TO GIVE HIS ASS A RIDE
You should know that a copper-core radiator is going to be expensive and maybe hard to come by. But, if that's what you must have, good luck.
From the standpoint of "function", you do not want nor need a copper radiator. Back in 1970, copper was plentiful and cheap; aluminum was 'new' and more expensive. So GM put less-expensive copper cores in their radiators. However, the performance engines with A/C got the BEST aluminum-core radiators, as they got rid of more heat and were necessary for the coolant system to be successful with a BB powerplant and A/C...especially in hot environments.
Today aluminum radiators are inexpensive and easy to find. And they are functionally better than copper-core radiators. Also, when you paint the cores with 'radiator black' paint, no one know which metal was used to produce it. If you are doing this for NCRS judging, so be it. Otherwise, you would do better with an aluminum core radiator.
From the standpoint of "function", you do not want nor need a copper radiator. Back in 1970, copper was plentiful and cheap; aluminum was 'new' and more expensive. So GM put less-expensive copper cores in their radiators. However, the performance engines with A/C got the BEST aluminum-core radiators, as they got rid of more heat and were necessary for the coolant system to be successful with a BB powerplant and A/C...especially in hot environments.
Today aluminum radiators are inexpensive and easy to find. And they are functionally better than copper-core radiators. Also, when you paint the cores with 'radiator black' paint, no one know which metal was used to produce it. If you are doing this for NCRS judging, so be it. Otherwise, you would do better with an aluminum core radiator.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,253
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From: Waterford WI
Charlie, the copper radiators have a miniscule date on them (see the excellent pictures from Dennis--above the MK9 tag is a date--April of 71 I believe) That dating is not included in the NCRS 70-72 judging manual because it has only come to light in recent years. The MK9 tag is not a date--it is a tag that indicates which radiator it is. I had a 71 LT-1 radiator that was EXTREMELY tired, and used the upper bar and side tanks to have a radiator shop graft them onto a new copper/brass core. It is absolutely correct in appearance, works perfectly, and cost a total of $320. To me, that was worth the price to have it correct.
Last edited by 62corvette; Jul 7, 2020 at 11:51 AM. Reason: fat fingers
Burning Brakes
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From: Redneck Riviera, FL
Burning Brakes
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From: Lincoln NE Riding and Driving Corvettes since 1967.
From the standpoint of "function", you do not want nor need a copper radiator. Back in 1970, copper was plentiful and cheap; aluminum was 'new' and more expensive. So GM put less-expensive copper cores in their radiators. However, the performance engines with A/C got the BEST aluminum-core radiators, as they got rid of more heat and were necessary for the coolant system to be successful with a BB powerplant and A/C...especially in hot environments.
.
.
(of course with the exception of 216 factory race car L88 engines that were designed to operate at 100mph and had the benefit of ram air cooling.)
BigRedBrad
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Verdad Gallardo
Safety Car
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From: PHOENIX AZ. WHAT A MAN WON"T SPEND TO GIVE HIS ASS A RIDE
In 1966 GM changed from aluminum to Copper/Brass radiators in all 427 engines and 327 with Air Conditioning that needed additional cooling that the standard aluminum Harrison radiator could not provide. There is no C3 with a factory aluminum radiator that is also equipped with A/C or big block.
(of course with the exception of 216 factory race car L88 engines that were designed to operate at 100mph and had the benefit of ram air cooling.)
BigRedBrad
(of course with the exception of 216 factory race car L88 engines that were designed to operate at 100mph and had the benefit of ram air cooling.)
BigRedBrad
Drifting
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70 base/l46+ac/+lt1= b/c rad
Burning Brakes
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From: Lincoln NE Riding and Driving Corvettes since 1967.
BigRedBrad
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