Question for those who put a summit radiator in their 68s. Does the lower hose outlet clear the metal floor pan below the fan shroud?
It looks like the original radiator sits below the floor pan and that's why theres the verticle outlet. Is the summit outlet high enough to clear the floor pan?
Thanks
Gary

 

Hi

I installed the SUMMIT rad into my 68 BB and no, the , lower hose will not clear.
I weld a angle outlet to the lower ( and upper ) ports in order to be able to use the original hoses.
The lower outlet is pointing downwards on the SUMMIT rad because the rad is tilted and goes below the pan level.


2nd pic is after welding.

Günther

 

Nice modification. I saw some of your earlier posts on this. BTW, mines a small block and I dont care if I use the original hoses or not.
I noticed carriljc managed to fit one in without welding it.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...adiator+bronco
I was wondering how this was done and if anyone else manage to get it to work.
Gary

 

It fit in my 74.....I used the 31x19....even used the stock lower hose. Your success may vary.

 

The configuration of the 68 fanshroud and mounts is different from other years.
OH! 68, one year only parts again, who would have guessed?

 

I went with the Griffin and had to modify the two necks they fit perfect now.

 

Well, what I did was go to my local aluminum welder and he told to just cut off some of it and then find a hose to fit. He said if that didn't work then we could do the welding stuff. Anyway, I lopped off about a 1/2" or so off the lower outlet. However, the hose would not stay snug up against the radiator as it went through temperature cycles since there was no longer a "ridge" for it to grab onto.
So I made myself a ridge by taking a stainless steel hoseclamp and fitting around the stub I had left on the lower outlet. I cut it such that I could remove the clamping assembly and then used 3 Stainless Steel screws to create a nice little ridge at the end of the stub. You can then chop up your standard Corvette hose, get a 90 degree elbow from Home Depot, and have a nice little hose that makes a nice sharp upward turn, install the elbow, and route towards the water pump....and have a nice little ledge so the hose doesn't slip.

I also appreciated the welding guy telling me to go ahead and try it, then if didn't work he'd be willing to take my money. I'm gonna try to work on the car a little this weekend...if I do I'll take some pictures.

 

Gotta love this board.
Thanks for the info. Carriljc, didn't realize you used a 90 degree elbow too. I'l take another look at mine and possible hose routing. But be sure to add some more pics.
Gary

 

Has anyone considered a wider radiator thats shorter. This 27 1/2" X 15 1/2" would still be larger than the original, and in aluminum. Just mount it higher, dam off the bottom, and the right lower hose looks like it would clear easily.
http://store.summitracing.com/defaul....asp&x=32&y=12
BTW, the only reason I dont want to modify the outlets on the larger summit is cost. Usually $50 minimum for TIG welding around here. Add to that the price of mounts, new hoses and you're up to the $290 replacement cost of the original.
Gary

 

TTT, anyone care to estimate the heat transfer capability of the original small block (brass), the 27 X 19 summit (aluminium), and the 27 X 15 Griffin? BTW, the core dimensions on the original are only 18 X 16.
Gary

 

to My Corvette pictures
<---
The pictures didn't turn out so well, but it'll give you the idea of what I did with the lower radiator hose.

By the way, I got the 28" by 19" radiator, part SUM-380328.

 

carriljc,
I looked at those pics VERY closely. But the connection for the lower hose just isn't clear.
Anyway, I checked with Griffin, they said the smaller radiator (15 1/2" high) was rated for 348 hp. Just enough. Still not sure how that compares to the original though.
Gary

 

For you BB guys did the 31x19 fit the stock mounts or did you have to modify the old ones or make new ones? A local Rad shop said $30 to modify the neck like original.

 

Hi

The 31 " rad will not fit between the frames on the 68 Vette.
68 has a different front frame setup where the rad mounts.
Max will be 29 " and any bigger doesn't make any sense anyway as there is no free airflow for this size anyway.

Günther

 

Thanks Gunther...everything I've read on CF said 31" works but nothing about 68's in particular. What size will be a direct drop in??? Will I still need to cut and weld an angle onto the bottom port?

 

Update,
Spoke with Griffin. They make a 2 row, 1" tube 27 1/2" X 15 1/2" rated for 400hp. It's larger than the original 20 X 16 1/2" core and will easily fit between the shroud and frame. Just need to fab some brackets.
I'll probably enlarge the shroud opening on the passenger side to get full air flow.
BTW, looks like the original bottom hose will fit ith just the end 90 degree turn cut off.
OH yeah, Griffin lists them for $189, they sell direct for $156!
I'll let you all know how it turns out.
Gary

 

Hi

I would weld the lower ( and upper ) water necks again, if I had to do all again.
The lower outlet is pointing down due to the tilt of the rad and dives under the frame shield. Just installing a piece of rubber hose and a 90 degree angle tube will be too long.
For 30 USD ( as somebody mentioned B4 ) I would not hesitate and just get all weld similar to the original setup.
I got it done in our company and all was over within 15 minutes.
Just find some stock alu tube with the correct outside diameter.
On a 68 BB, the lower water hose is already so tight and hardly has any space nowhere, so keeping it running the way it was designed by GM might keep you out of future trubble.

The SUMMIT alu rad is a very special rad as it is complete weld, absolutely no gluing like lots of other alu rads are, specially the tubes into the side boxes. That was the reason, why I bought it.

I fabed new mounts, but some have used the original once. I found them not to sit at the correct spot and this might not make a big difference.

Günther