Radiator
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 322
Likes: 11
From: Staten Island New York
Radiator
It's time for a new Radiator for my 77' and I'm looking are some input.. I don't want a high end big $$$ Dewitt all aluminum one. All I need is replacement radiator. I was on a couple of websites. Must of them are imported and they say they are direct fit. One caught my attention from Zip, its an aluminum one and its made in the USA. They call it "Black Ice' what ever that means. Have any of you guy done a radiator recently.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,949
Likes: 4,507
From: Virginia
There's a budget DeWitt's radiator sold via Zip. I bought one, and I'll probably use it. It is not a direct fit, though, and will require modifications to the cushions, since it does not have the stock ridges, or the stepped rail (which is used by some electric fan conversions). It also has the useless automatic transmission cooling loop. I think you can get it bare aluminum, or painted "black ice".
I'd consider a 4-row Champion if I were ordering online. I can drive to Zip, and the DeWitt's are Made in USA, so I'll make it work.
I'd consider a 4-row Champion if I were ordering online. I can drive to Zip, and the DeWitt's are Made in USA, so I'll make it work.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,234
Likes: 7,827
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Perhaps read the sticky about aluminium radiators. A ton of information and opinions in that thread.
I run a champion in my 77. Yes made off shore. Very good customer service and warranty.
I run a champion in my 77. Yes made off shore. Very good customer service and warranty.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 448
From: Loir Valley Sarthe, France
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
About 15 years ago I fitted a radiator supplied by "Complete Radiators". It was a great price and an EXACT replica of the original and dropped in perfectly, (unlike the awful modern thing I'd mistakenly bought a few years earlier!) The "made in the USA" thing is not so important to me, living 3000 miles from it, so I've no idea where the new rad was made, but it was well made and cools the car so well I needed a new thermostat! Sadly, I don't think "complete" are still around, or at least I can't see them on line anymore.. I've never heard of anyone who has been able to slot in a Dewitts as a "direct fit", there is always something that needs "finessing". I'd try and find a stock replacement guaranteed to be a direct fit, I have seen them from various sources on line
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 32
Likes: 4
It's time for a new Radiator for my 77' and I'm looking are some input.. I don't want a high end big $$$ Dewitt all aluminum one. All I need is replacement radiator. I was on a couple of websites. Must of them are imported and they say they are direct fit. One caught my attention from Zip, its an aluminum one and its made in the USA. They call it "Black Ice' what ever that means. Have any of you guy done a radiator recently.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,028
Likes: 1,120
From: North tonawanda NY
Same... 3 row. less than $200 shipped off ebay 12 years ago. not sure what justifies "direct fit" but mine fits and uses the original bracket to hold it in place even thought the shape of the top brackets doesnt perfectly match the rad.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,799
Likes: 1,940
From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
what's wrong with yours ? Maybe it can be rebuilt ?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 6,299
Likes: 416
From: Michigan
There's a budget DeWitt's radiator sold via Zip. I bought one, and I'll probably use it. It is not a direct fit, though, and will require modifications to the cushions, since it does not have the stock ridges, or the stepped rail (which is used by some electric fan conversions). It also has the useless automatic transmission cooling loop. I think you can get it bare aluminum, or painted "black ice".
I'd consider a 4-row Champion if I were ordering online. I can drive to Zip, and the DeWitt's are Made in USA, so I'll make it work.
I'd consider a 4-row Champion if I were ordering online. I can drive to Zip, and the DeWitt's are Made in USA, so I'll make it work.
CLICK HERE
Drifting
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1,663
Likes: 702
From: Baton Rouge, Louisiana, metro area
Used a Champion in my 82. No mods needed although the original rubber cushions did not work and the top air induction plenum did not fit. Shroud and all else was fine. Good quality.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,799
Likes: 1,940
From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Hello Tom, nice to see you join in !!! It's been a while ......................."news2me" Tom is the Goooo Rooooo of Rad's & Cooling i'd lend him both ears if i were you !
P.S love my Dewitts exact OEM copy 15+ yrs, zero issues & keeps the BIG BLOCK - KQQL !!!
Drifting
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1,663
Likes: 702
From: Baton Rouge, Louisiana, metro area
If you say so.
I actually didn’t “modify” anything permanent on the car such as drilling or welding, I just didn’t put that stuff back on. I used some other rubber I had and that irrelevant air induction system on the 82 that only opens at WOT was sort of pointless on an engine of 205hp!!
But…I could go with those were minimal mods.
Either way..the Champion fit very nicely and the quality seemed fine, but I certainly would have preferred the DeWitts if I had the budget.
I actually didn’t “modify” anything permanent on the car such as drilling or welding, I just didn’t put that stuff back on. I used some other rubber I had and that irrelevant air induction system on the 82 that only opens at WOT was sort of pointless on an engine of 205hp!!
But…I could go with those were minimal mods.
Either way..the Champion fit very nicely and the quality seemed fine, but I certainly would have preferred the DeWitts if I had the budget.