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Radiator came today, CHV718A Cold Case, quality seems great with perfect condition as receieved. As for direct fit, well not so much...spent about an hour carving rubber mounts that I had to make fit. The tanks are about 1/4 " wider than my stock unit and the main core is over 1 1/2 wider. Looks like all should fit with my stock shroud, tommorrows project after a dry fit today. Summit got me a great price on their normal super fast shipping.
Pipe looks good, might just be the picture. Might have to trim the radiator mount base some too.. the drain plug seems real close
my drain plug wing nut was close on my Dewitt universal fit, but still clears..but very close...everything else fit and original hold downs and rubber.
honestly I wouldn’t trim the base..thats a nice car.. dont hackinto it..brackets rubber another story but not cutting metal to fit..not acceptable imo
Last edited by interpon; Nov 30, 2020 at 10:27 PM.
From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
I'm curious as to why the Cold Case is 1-1/2" wider than your the rad your replacing. Or, maybe the rad your replacing was not born with your car. Are you the original owner?
I am the second owner, car had 19,540 miles on it. I posted the radiator serial or model number on an earlier post and was told it was correct for a 79-81. The side tanks on CC are 1/4 inch thicker, the center core section is 2 3/4 compared to the old at 1 5/8. New unit has 2 core design with 1 inch tubes.
From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
Originally Posted by TRT SR
I am the second owner, car had 19,540 miles on it. I posted the radiator serial or model number on an earlier post and was told it was correct for a 79-81. The side tanks on CC are 1/4 inch thicker, the center core section is 2 3/4 compared to the old at 1 5/8. New unit has 2 core design with 1 inch tubes.
Took me a couple of hours working by myself but after a few dry runs got it in and fits like a glove. Only real issue was the upper and lower rubber mounts, had to trim all four to fit properly. Guess I could have stuck them in as is but wanted it to be right. Rookie mistake for today....thought I could put in the lower radiator hose after shroud and radiator installed. Survey said....NO! Out came the radiator and shroud then back in again. Got some new foam for both sides in between radiator and support too. My car is A/C equipped. Replaced drain plug with a new brass unit so can use a 1/2" wrench to remove. Done for today, tomorrow its hook up transmission cooler lines and lower hose...then fill her up. That is unless I forgot something?
Tom.... I recommend being super **** with the fan studs. I went out and got 1/2" longer versions so I could REALLY secure them...in stainless. The paltry amount of treads into the W/P flange always gave me the heebie-jeebies!
My brother 'dislodged' the fan on my 350 Blazer K-5....The blade completely penetrated the two layers of hood and stuck out of the hood by about 6".....I left it there! (the blade!)
Well all finsihed today, except for adjusting the upper rad hose. need to turn it so its not so close to the fan blade.....who knew! learning a bunch these days. My aux fan runs all the time so ordered a new lower temp from Corvette Central, should be fun putting in! Thanks again to all for the tips and help....as Arnold would say: I'll be back! lol
Yeah, so much for the local parts store having the right color! Told me it was correct but obviously is darker blue...cleaned and sanded the front of the motor then shot a coat and thought, hope this dries lighter to match the balancer..nope. Oh well, clean looking ...next time will order from Ecklers or someplace that has the correct color
Happens to the best of us! Bought a can of extra-high-heat SILVER engine paint. Schpritzed the whole engine (VW)...'geez this is loooking kinda greeny-blue!'
PONTIAC engine color in the can, with the wrong label. I know, I used to own a 69 GTO. Ram-air 3
#$%^ -it get a can of Chevy orange! {Some NCRS guy somewhere just had a stroke!}
Yeah, so much for the local parts store having the right color! Told me it was correct but obviously is darker blue...cleaned and sanded the front of the motor then shot a coat and thought, hope this dries lighter to match the balancer..nope. Oh well, clean looking ...next time will order from Ecklers or someplace that has the correct color
interpon, your car is awesome! Thanks for the link on color
so is your and your garage is too clean..
get the AIM for your car..
also take a look at this..circled..something weird.. look at my pic for compressor and only 2 wires.. yours has a loose connector? and splices? maybe to aux fan?
Cold Case radiator install
Radiator Specs
