When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
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....
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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
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.
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