C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Copper/Brass Radiator

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 30, 2006 | 08:36 AM
  #1  
macpeppers's Avatar
macpeppers
Thread Starter
Advanced
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
Default Copper/Brass Radiator

will a replacement copper/brass radiator sufficiently cool a 69 300hp. i know aluminum is better, just looking at the cost.
thanks
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2006 | 08:52 AM
  #2  
71redskin's Avatar
71redskin
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 977
Likes: 1
From: wash. dc
Default

i replaced my leaking original rad with the same as original one and it brought my temps from 190 down to a consistent 155
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2006 | 09:07 AM
  #3  
rihwoods's Avatar
rihwoods
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Default

Have a four row copper brass cooling the 502....no issues...got a HD copper brass in 78..has A/C....again,no cooling issues...
Both have stock clutch fans...
You would gain about 25% more cooling efficiency with an aluminum rad....
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2006 | 09:15 AM
  #4  
norvalwilhelm's Avatar
norvalwilhelm
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Default

4 core copper brass rads are actually 2 2 core rads put together. Any mismatch of fin alingnment means reduced air flow.
A 3 inch 2 core aluminum rad is one piece and all fins align meaning better air flow.
The generic aluminum rad fits out cars fine, you don't need the proper vet rad since only the lower rad hose outlet changes for the vet and that costs alot of money.
I just fiddle a bit with the lower rad hose, the upper fit fine.
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2006 | 09:19 AM
  #5  
bashcraft's Avatar
bashcraft
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,506
Likes: 139
From: Butler Pa
Default

What do you mean by the "generic aluminum rad"?
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2006 | 09:31 AM
  #6  
norvalwilhelm's Avatar
norvalwilhelm
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Default

Originally Posted by bashcraft
What do you mean by the "generic aluminum rad"?
I mean the normal run of the mill rad, strickly buy by dimensions. I don't remember what ours are but if it is say 19 x 30 and that is not right but a 19 x 30 general purpase rad would be the same as the dedicated corvette rad except the bottom rad outlet.
A general fit rad has a straight outlet and the corvette one is angled up. YOU pay dearly for that angle up outlet. I just made up my own lower rad hose and saved hundreds.
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2006 | 09:40 AM
  #7  
DC118us's Avatar
DC118us
Instructor
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 102
Likes: 4
From: Cambridge Ohio
Default Aluminum Radiator

norval, I'd be interested in seeing how you made your lower radiator hose? I am needing to replace my radiator and was planning on a copper/brass replacement due to cost of vette specific aluminum radiators.

Dino
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2006 | 10:53 AM
  #8  
jackson's Avatar
jackson
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Default

I have a brand new in box universal chevy Northern aluminum 2 row 19 x 31 I bought for a C3 project that didn't materialize ... I've put several in C3 by fiddling w/ lower outlet/hose. Real nice rad ... billet filler neck & no epoxy. FYI, speedway's Tru-Kool P/N 917347-31 is this identical rad & they get $180 for it ... speedway tru-kool is made by Northern and if you get one it'll have Northern stamped right into tank. http://www.speedwaymotors.com/xq/asp...qx/Product.htm . Summit used to sell Nothern as their house brand ... maybe still do. I'll sell mine for $10 under cheapest verifiable price you find elsewhere.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 30, 2006 | 11:19 AM
  #9  
blackbeauty74's Avatar
blackbeauty74
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: greenville sc
Default

Jackson, Will one of your radiators cool a fit and cool a 74 BigBlock?
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2006 | 11:27 AM
  #10  
norvalwilhelm's Avatar
norvalwilhelm
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Default

Originally Posted by DC118us
norval, I'd be interested in seeing how you made your lower radiator hose? I am needing to replace my radiator and was planning on a copper/brass replacement due to cost of vette specific aluminum radiators.

Dino
I don't have a picture right now, have to take one but what I did is try a normal rad hose. It put too tight of a bend in the hose closing it off partly. To make the hard right angle turn I just used a elbow, a 90 degree elbow, cut the hose into 2 pieces and clamped both pieces to the elbow and then unto the rad and water pump. Never had a problem over the years. Other then the 90 degree bend the rad fit like a stocker.
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2006 | 11:43 AM
  #11  
Entropy's Avatar
Entropy
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 32,519
Likes: 1
From: central America
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Default

Originally Posted by norvalwilhelm
I don't have a picture right now, have to take one but what I did is try a normal rad hose. It put too tight of a bend in the hose closing it off partly. To make the hard right angle turn I just used a elbow, a 90 degree elbow, cut the hose into 2 pieces and clamped both pieces to the elbow and then unto the rad and water pump. Never had a problem over the years. Other then the 90 degree bend the rad fit like a stocker.
I've done that on demo cars with great success. The only reason it stopped working was due to impact.

I also happen to use an original brass/copper radiator with great success on my mildly hopped up 72. However, my clutch fan wasn't working so well, so I replaced it with a flex fan (I was in grad school at the time, and money was tight). Thinking about electric fans, but have other higher priorities.

trw
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2006 | 11:49 AM
  #12  
DC118us's Avatar
DC118us
Instructor
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 102
Likes: 4
From: Cambridge Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by norvalwilhelm
I don't have a picture right now, have to take one but what I did is try a normal rad hose. It put too tight of a bend in the hose closing it off partly. To make the hard right angle turn I just used a elbow, a 90 degree elbow, cut the hose into 2 pieces and clamped both pieces to the elbow and then unto the rad and water pump. Never had a problem over the years. Other then the 90 degree bend the rad fit like a stocker.

So was the 90 deg. elbow was attached very close to the rad? Like almost butted up against with a very short section of rad hose?

Reply
Old Jan 30, 2006 | 12:00 PM
  #13  
jackson's Avatar
jackson
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Default

Originally Posted by blackbeauty74
Jackson, Will one of your radiators cool a fit and cool a 74 BigBlock?
I don't have but one ... yes it'll cool a BBC ... yes it'll fit a '74 ... but you'll have to fiddle with the lower hose as norval speaks of. It is Northern P/N CR9607 = direct equivalent of Speedway P/N 91734731

http://www.northernfactory.com/DETAIL.asp?PART=CR9607

It does NOT have a cooler for auto trans!

Last edited by jackson; Jan 30, 2006 at 12:07 PM.
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2006 | 01:47 PM
  #14  
DC118us's Avatar
DC118us
Instructor
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 102
Likes: 4
From: Cambridge Ohio
Default tranny coolers.......

Jackson, since this radiator doesn't have the tranny cooler, what would you, or anyone else, suggest for size of aftermarket cooler?

Looks like B&M has a 16,000 GVW, 19,000 GVW and a 24,000 GVW cooler......

Dino

Reply
Old Jan 30, 2006 | 01:51 PM
  #15  
jackson's Avatar
jackson
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Default

Originally Posted by DC118us
Jackson, since this radiator doesn't have the tranny cooler, what would you, or anyone else, suggest for size of aftermarket cooler? Looks like B&M has a 16,000 GVW, 19,000 GVW and a 24,000 GVW cooler......Dino
Biggest one that'll fit ... 19'll be fine if you're not towing a boat.
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2006 | 02:21 PM
  #16  
DC118us's Avatar
DC118us
Instructor
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 102
Likes: 4
From: Cambridge Ohio
Default

That's what I was thinking, but I wasn't sure, since the only tranny cooler installation suggested using the original rad cooler in conjunction with the additional cooler.

I've learned something new, thanks for your advice!!! Plus the rad/cooler tips in this thread are going to save me about $300

Dino
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2006 | 03:02 PM
  #17  
blackbeauty74's Avatar
blackbeauty74
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: greenville sc
Default

Norval, What is the 90 degree elbow made out of alum or copper? and where can I find one?

Thanks
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Copper/Brass Radiator

Old Jan 30, 2006 | 03:27 PM
  #18  
SIXFOOTER's Avatar
SIXFOOTER
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime Gold
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Default

Northern shows an aluminum Rad with an engine oil cooler in it in 19x31 format. That would work for applications with Auto wouldn't it?
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2006 | 04:55 PM
  #19  
jackson's Avatar
jackson
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Default

Originally Posted by SIXFOOTER
Northern shows an aluminum Rad with an engine oil cooler in it in 19x31 format. That would work for applications with Auto wouldn't it?
Yep ... sure does ... but it's about another $100.
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2006 | 12:05 PM
  #20  
vettecrazy88's Avatar
vettecrazy88
Pro
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 709
Likes: 1
From: Lakewood Colorado
Default

Is this the Northern referrred to? '75 w bb installed and currently using stock shroud. For nice driver. I see radiator doesnt have stock necks.

Does anyone know who retails Northern or equivalent.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:46 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE