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Aftermarket Radiator Question

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Old Feb 23, 2005 | 07:57 AM
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Default Aftermarket Radiator Question

Griffin radiators has a Chevy 27 1/2 X 19 radiator in the Summit catalog for $239.00. This is about $100 cheaper than the direct replacement from the corvette vendors.
Heres the question; Since the original radiators have the cap located on the Harrison overflow for my 69 BB., will the cap location which is on the Griffin radiator interfer with hood clearance.
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Old Feb 23, 2005 | 08:12 AM
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it looks lt does, but it actually clears somehow. I'm running the Griffin 31x19 and I am very pleased and cap clears.
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Old Feb 23, 2005 | 08:16 AM
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I bought mine from Corvette Central for $219.. + shipping...nearly identical to the one I took out...except for the clogged arteries..
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Old Feb 23, 2005 | 10:27 AM
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31x19 Griffin here too. It clears just fine. There's a little divet on the inside of the hood. I always assumed it was for clearance to the cap.

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Old Feb 23, 2005 | 10:58 AM
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Here's what I am running :



$170 Summit brand (looks like the rad is upside down in the picture):

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...=KeywordSearch

BTW it is fully welded where the Griffin has epoxy.
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Old Feb 23, 2005 | 11:00 AM
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Originally Posted by Fevre
Here's what I am running :



$170 Summit brand (looks like the rad is upside down in the picture):

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...=KeywordSearch

BTW it is fully welded where the Griffin has epoxy.

Same one I ordered
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Old Feb 23, 2005 | 11:07 AM
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Originally Posted by Fevre
Here's what I am running :



$170 Summit brand (looks like the rad is upside down in the picture):

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...=KeywordSearch

BTW it is fully welded where the Griffin has epoxy.
Fevre and Madmikee,
What year is yours and what lower hose are you running.
I've got a 68, SB, manual, no AC and the original lower outlet is verticle, inline with the radiator. I would like to use a "generic aluminum, but not sure of the lower outlet clearing the support, and which lower hose to use.
Gary
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Old Feb 23, 2005 | 11:59 AM
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Originally Posted by Garys 68
Fevre and Madmikee,
What year is yours and what lower hose are you running.
I've got a 68, SB, manual, no AC and the original lower outlet is verticle, inline with the radiator. I would like to use a "generic aluminum, but not sure of the lower outlet clearing the support, and which lower hose to use.
Gary

I will be ordering the SS Flex hose for looks and ease of install, they are a bit pricey but they last almost forever from everyone I talked to.
My car is a 77 with a 92 LT1 and ZF6 6 spd. I asked a BUNCH of questions and am sure annoyed more than one member with my **** retentivness But if you flip that pic of the radiator right side up (it IS upside down good job summit) it LOOKS as if the lower outlet is high enough to clear your support. My support is coming out to be "rebuilt" because the lower support area is swiss cheese.

From what I was told if you go for regular hose, in the later C3's, the lower hose was a stocker and it fit pretty well but the upper was a "custom" hose, basically take a wire hanger and unfold it, then run the route you want and cut a little over size, go to autozone and start looking. My advise is if you go for this radiator then just go the "custom" hose route and just use a coat hanger as a "template" then go from there.

Another thing was the overflow fitting does NOT come with the radiator and I checked with a bunch of people and Summit does not carry one. A few people used copper but that will cause metalergy (SP?) because of the two different metals. I am still in search of a proper alum fitting. If I find one I will post it.

Last edited by Madmikeee; Feb 23, 2005 at 12:05 PM.
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Old Feb 23, 2005 | 12:03 PM
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I have a 73 and used a 31x19 rad. Funny thing is I ordered a Griffin 27x19 because I measured inbetween tanks not the full length, the first one I got leaked and I ran the replacement one for a little but ended up buying the Summit one when I ordered my Flex-a-lite fans. I used a universal heavy duty ribbed hose for the lower and a stock hose for the upper. I am switching to a serp belt set up so I had to get a diff upper hose to work with the system.
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Old Feb 23, 2005 | 12:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Madmikeee
Another thing was the overflow fitting does NOT come with the radiator and I checked with a bunch of people and Summit does not carry one. A few people used copper but that will cause metalergy (SP?) because of the two different metals. I am still in search of a proper alum fitting. If I find one I will post it.
Fevre & Madmikeee
Thanks for the info guys. BTW, regarding the fitting, have you considered a plastic one. Newer radiators have plastic ends, so I'm assuming it will work without electrolysis problems.
And with at setup, do you route that outlet at the radiator cap to an overflow tank, or do you keep the original expansion tank with it's cap?
Gary
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Old Feb 23, 2005 | 12:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Garys 68
Fevre & Madmikeee
Thanks for the info guys. BTW, regarding the fitting, have you considered a plastic one. Newer radiators have plastic ends, so I'm assuming it will work without electrolysis problems.
And with at setup, do you route that outlet at the radiator cap to an overflow tank, or do you keep the original expansion tank with it's cap?
Gary
I got a brass one and am getting the metalergy (sp?), I think a plastic one would work just need to find one or maybe get a peice of plastic or alum pipe and tap the end of it. Alum would be better since it is so thin, needs to seal to the neck and withstand 15lbs of pressure

Mine has an overflow, since the neck is set up for a cap you can just run an overflow tank, you might be able to convert you current expansion tank to an over flow tank.
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