Hi All, I am looking to replace my radiator on my 74 with an aluminum radiator w/ fans and looking for advice on manufactures and price. There are so many options ranging from $300 to $1,800 and without having to break the bank I am seeking some advice on the best value for the money. With my existing setup I tested out the inside temperature gauge, replaced the thermostat with an Edelbrock 8604 High Flow Thermostat 180 Deg., replaced the hoses, flushed/replaced the coolant, burped the system, replaced the flex fan with an OEM 7-blade fan, new clutch, and replaced the temperature sensor with an ACDelco G1852. The best temperature I can achieve is 200 degrees without the AC on, hence the reason for moving on to an Aluminum radiator with fan kit. Thank you in advance.

 

i would check timing as outlined for performance tune.
pics? shroud in place? seals? spoiler?
i do not think you can go wrong with aluminum radiator compared to OEM if same size or bigger, try that prior to adding fans. how clean is the radiator looking at openings?

 

Interpon's suggestions are right on. Fans add drag to the alternator as you know.

 

Thank you, I will check timing. The inside visual of radiator appeared to be clean...

 

Any suggestions on Manufactures of Aluminum radiators?

 

Many opinions recommendation
here is a thread sticky
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ed-topics.html

i like anything not china.. dewitts is a sponsor here.

 

A lot of people here use champion, myself included

 

What is your timing set at?

Jebby

 

I have a Champion w/GM F-body fans for my 383.Stays under 200 w/summer temps and stop and go traffic

 

Have you checked your temperature with an IR temp gun? I'd suggest that the sender you bought may not be as well calibrated as you need it to be, and the margin of error is the size of the needle.

The DeWitts budget radiators seem like a good deal. Corvette Ben recently did a video on them. You can get them from Zip for ~500-. Made in USA.

https://www.zip-corvette.com/73-76-3...-radiator.html

 

Thank you All, for the advice its seems Champion is the best for the buck...
Thanks again!

 

D e w i t t s !!!

 

 

If you want a "correct" replacement, it will be rather expensive. But then, your original unit was copper, not aluminum (unless you had hi-perf engine), so an aluminum rad won't be original anyway.
I have found that the Champion radiators are a good quality product. You just have to find one of the right length/width with the number of rows you need (A/C?; perf engine?) and the tank and connector configurations you require.

 

If the inside of your radiator is clean and not leaking you don't need a new radiator. However, if you ever do find yourself needing a new radiator get a Dewitts, buy once cry once.

 

And yet, I'm extremely happy with my 4 row Champion. Granted, not made in the USA. But keeping my car very happy in the Queensland heat!

 

200 isn't that bad with the AC on, but if I'm rolling, mine will stay right at the thermostat set point AC on or not. Original mechanical fan.

Have you pressure tested the cooling system, both cold, AND warm? (Warm it up with the cap off the radiator or expansion tank, THEN attach the pressure tester)

A cooling system that is not holding pressure will CONSISTENTLY run 15-20 degrees hotter than one that is. All it takes is one loose hose clamp! Get underneath, check
the clamps on the hoses going to the heater core!

https://www.reddit.com/user/wadenels...dy_diagnosing/

Key takeaway: Don't lie to yourself. If the needle on that gauge drops AT ALL in 15-20 minutes, you're losing pressure!

One of the most important (and neglected) is all the foam seals around the radiator, condenser, etc. preventing air from going over or around or under instead of through the radiator. Seal kits are cheap.

Contrary to what some *unnamed persons* claim, there are no inherent design flaws in the C3 Corvette cooling system. If every piece of the SYSTEM is doing its job, as designed, it works just fine without massive electric fans, etc. It has more than sufficient BTU capacity to get rid of the heat generated, big block, small block, meaner cam, etc.

Jebby tells everyone to check for overly retarded timing but TBH I've personally never diagnosed a car that was overheating where that was the sole cause, at most, a contributor.

 

To be perfectly honest. The stock radiator worked just fine with my original, stock engine. Then I bumped up the performance a bit. And on really hot days in Wisconsin I could see a difference, nothing alarming, but a difference.
then I moved overseas to Queensland. Much, much hotter climate. Put in a Aluminium rad as my car wasn't happy. All seals in place. Made up new seals and block off plates to cover what the factory missed. Car was fairly happy. Not really in 115 degree heat. Then I bumped up performance even more. Now everything needed to be addressed. Perfect timing was likely the biggest. Extra long front spoiler helped a fair bit as well. Still.
110 degrees with air-conditioning running at a traffic light I was chewing my finger nails watching the temp gauge.
HUGE 4 row Aluminium radiator next. C5 electric fans.
Car is always happy. Never over 195 on the hottest days with air-conditioning running.
everything is important. A huge radiator does make a difference!