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I have a 1975 stingray. I had a leak in the old radiator and ordered a 3 row aluminum. I've got AC and an overflow tank ( plastic with the overflow tube and vent tube). I noticed the aluminum radiator has no fill cap but some research made it seem like this wasn't a problem.
This is where you should have stopped and returned the radiator.
All 73-76 Corvettes used the same radiator. It should look like this:
How many hours of fab and NRE are required to make a Bubba system work? And what if it doesn't work? How much will overheating your engine cost?
It isn't about originality. It's about getting a system that works, without having to kludge something together. If engine cooling systems are your hobby, though, there are no rules! Have at it, and please let us know how it goes!
There are several threads where folks use inexpensive (and Made in China) Champion radiators. Perhaps one of them posted a part number, so you won't get tricked again.
Or perhaps this one is sufficient? $500-. Made in USA. Not a direct fit (it doesn't have the thin seams that notch into the rad mounts), but should work, and has the trans fluid cooling line circuit.
I think this is being over thought. There's no "fab" work needed. The radiator fits great. In less than a lunch hour I can make a BRACKET to hold the expansion tank. I'm not reinventing anything. I'm simply pressurizing my system. The expansion tank is smaller than the overflow tank. I don't need to make holes or move things. I'm not sure if people are deliberately trying to turn this into a disaster but I'm just not seeing how? Some models CAME with expansion tanks. The radiator I have in fits great. The shroud fits tight and all the lines are good. I don't see where all this "fabrication" is being invented. I'm not sure where the failure point is? The system needs to be pressurized with a 15#cap. I'm simply switching my overflow tank with an expansion tank. I'm not trying to retrofit a semi radiator.
The one you have pictured is missing the two trans lines my original had.
Yes, there are 2 models, one for slush boxes, and one for sports cars (manuals ). The point was your radiator should have a cap. The expansion tank is the top 3-4 inches of the radiator.
Thank you melwff. Expansion tank worked great. Was able to fab a quick bracket so the tank was mounted with the cap sitting at the same height as the original overflow tank ( which I kept as an overflow for the expansion tank if needed). Consistently running at 195 on the gauge unless I've been pushing it on the expressway then it's about 200 on the gauge. Sorry for the late reply but I wanted to give it a week or so of solid running to make sure it continued to work.
For the guys saying I was "bubba-ing" the situation...I understand what you were saying and I respect your knowledge and know how. My C3 is my everyday driver and ONLY car to get back and forth to work with. I needed a solution that would work and could be accomplished faster than returning and replacing the wrong radiator. Fortunately this worked, and has been working well. I actually like the look of the expansion tank... Very flux capacitor.
Thanks everyone who commented for your time and consideration. -Ryan
Good job. Next time ask here first and it will make your life easier.
You complicated this whole thing no really good reason with all the knowledge that folks have here to share.
Originally Posted by Ryan-78
Thank you melwff. Expansion tank worked great. Was able to fab a quick bracket so the tank was mounted with the cap sitting at the same height as the original overflow tank ( which I kept as an overflow for the expansion tank if needed). Consistently running at 195 on the gauge unless I've been pushing it on the expressway then it's about 200 on the gauge. Sorry for the late reply but I wanted to give it a week or so of solid running to make sure it continued to work.
For the guys saying I was "bubba-ing" the situation...I understand what you were saying and I respect your knowledge and know how. My C3 is my everyday driver and ONLY car to get back and forth to work with. I needed a solution that would work and could be accomplished faster than returning and replacing the wrong radiator. Fortunately this worked, and has been working well. I actually like the look of the expansion tank... Very flux capacitor.
Thanks everyone who commented for your time and consideration. -Ryan
Ryan-78
I keep relearning that lesson myself.... but I have gotten better. I typically try to remember to ask here first...... it really is a big plus.
Originally Posted by Ryan-78
Well I certainly would have done that if I had known it had existed before my problem... I will take this advice moving forward.
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.
). The point was your radiator should have a cap. The expansion tank is the top 3-4 inches of the radiator. 
