Dewitt Radiator Question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 473
Likes: 2
From: Champlin Minnesota
Dewitt Radiator Question
I just purchased a aluminum radiator from Dewitts, I had it come with the premounted dual electric fans. I put it in the car and try to put the hold down brackets in and they dont fit exactly right. To clarify, I am talking about the brackets that have the rubber pads in them and bolt to the radiator support. I was wondering if anyone else has had any problems like this. It would not be that much work for me to buy a new chunk of rubber and cut it so the brackets hold the radiator properly, or even make some aluminum brackets that bolt to the support and radiator. Should I make new brackets/modify the current ones, or do I have something screwed up?
I will post pics tonight...
Thanks,
David
I will post pics tonight...
Thanks,
David
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
Originally Posted by Scudd
How long did it take you to get it? I purchased one back on Jan. 13th and still no word or radiator.
Sorry, not much help with the install question... I guess I'll find out when I get it...Maybe?
Sorry, not much help with the install question... I guess I'll find out when I get it...Maybe?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,165
Likes: 950
From: Keizer Oregon
I put in a dewitts last year... 
Great cooling improvement. The stock radiator mounts are a little to big and the radiator will be "loose" in the brackets. I just fixed mine by cutting a few pieces of thick rubber strips (I think I used fuel line) and putting them in the brackets. It snugs it up nicely.....other option would be to fab some nice aluminum brackets which I will probably do eventually but I other things on my mind right now...(like motor and tranny both out of the car 
)...good luck
Great cooling improvement. The stock radiator mounts are a little to big and the radiator will be "loose" in the brackets. I just fixed mine by cutting a few pieces of thick rubber strips (I think I used fuel line) and putting them in the brackets. It snugs it up nicely.....other option would be to fab some nice aluminum brackets which I will probably do eventually but I other things on my mind right now...(like motor and tranny both out of the car )...good luck
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
Originally Posted by Scudd
How long did it take you to get it? I purchased one back on Jan. 13th and still no word or radiator.
Sorry, not much help with the install question... I guess I'll find out when I get it...Maybe?
Sorry, not much help with the install question... I guess I'll find out when I get it...Maybe?
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
Originally Posted by davidm_comp
I just purchased a aluminum radiator from Dewitts, I had it come with the premounted dual electric fans. I put it in the car and try to put the hold down brackets in and they dont fit exactly right. To clarify, I am talking about the brackets that have the rubber pads in them and bolt to the radiator support. I was wondering if anyone else has had any problems like this. It would not be that much work for me to buy a new chunk of rubber and cut it so the brackets hold the radiator properly, or even make some aluminum brackets that bolt to the support and radiator. Should I make new brackets/modify the current ones, or do I have something screwed up?
I will post pics tonight...
Thanks,
David
I will post pics tonight...
Thanks,
David
As far as the clearance thing goes, the stock width of the c/b header is 3.5" and ours is 3.25" so there is a little extra room. I found this extra room to be a plus because you almost need a hammer to get the "u" brackets to fit over the 3.5" width. It's almost too tight. I don't really see the loose fit being a problem and if you really don't care for it, you can simply close the U shape a little bit and/or push the brackets down real hard before tightening the two bolts.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 914
Likes: 14
From: Aberdeen, Scotland
fit and finish
My DeWitts unit fit great and offered an improvement. My only issue was the neck to the upper rad hose. It seems to be slightly off hence the "odd" upper hose rubs on the alternator. However the hose from Tom fits, barely ... so far so good. Is this a common problem?
carbster
carbster
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 323
Likes: 0
From: Abilene Tx
I put a Dewitt's in my '76.....mine is the late model and there were two different radiators that year. Obviously, there were two different thicknesses of support rubbers. I put in the thicker/wider ones and everything fit great.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
Originally Posted by MsVetteMan
Hey Tom, I just ordered a radiator today and was wondering if corvette forum members receive a discount?
I just had a forum GP and I got hell from several dealers that are trying to make a living selling at retail. You just can't make everyone happy.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,101
Likes: 3
From: Cruising somewhere in St. Louis, Missouri
Originally Posted by carbster09
My DeWitts unit fit great and offered an improvement. My only issue was the neck to the upper rad hose. It seems to be slightly off hence the "odd" upper hose rubs on the alternator. However the hose from Tom fits, barely ... so far so good. Is this a common problem?
carbster
carbster
couldn't be happier with the performance. Great Product
Jim
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 339
Likes: 1
From: San Diego CA
I purchased and installed the DeWitts radiator w/dual SPALs back in Sept. My radiator mounts also aren't the greatest, but they do hold it in place.
Since I've got your attention, can I ask a question too...
In addition to the rad/SPAL setup, I purchased the PWM controller as well. I'm still having some issues with it though. I can't seem to get it to detect the engine temp from the OEM sender unit. Tom suggested using a C4 coolant temp sensor unit.
Has anyone had any luck with this approach? If so, what did you do?
For now I'm just switching on the ac to manually toggle the fans on...it's kind of a pain!
Thanks...
Since I've got your attention, can I ask a question too...
In addition to the rad/SPAL setup, I purchased the PWM controller as well. I'm still having some issues with it though. I can't seem to get it to detect the engine temp from the OEM sender unit. Tom suggested using a C4 coolant temp sensor unit.
Has anyone had any luck with this approach? If so, what did you do?
For now I'm just switching on the ac to manually toggle the fans on...it's kind of a pain!
Thanks...
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 4,832
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Originally Posted by 71SoCal
I purchased and installed the DeWitts radiator w/dual SPALs back in Sept. My radiator mounts also aren't the greatest, but they do hold it in place.
Since I've got your attention, can I ask a question too...
In addition to the rad/SPAL setup, I purchased the PWM controller as well. I'm still having some issues with it though. I can't seem to get it to detect the engine temp from the OEM sender unit. Tom suggested using a C4 coolant temp sensor unit.
Has anyone had any luck with this approach? If so, what did you do?
For now I'm just switching on the ac to manually toggle the fans on...it's kind of a pain!
Thanks...
Since I've got your attention, can I ask a question too...
In addition to the rad/SPAL setup, I purchased the PWM controller as well. I'm still having some issues with it though. I can't seem to get it to detect the engine temp from the OEM sender unit. Tom suggested using a C4 coolant temp sensor unit.
Has anyone had any luck with this approach? If so, what did you do?
For now I'm just switching on the ac to manually toggle the fans on...it's kind of a pain!
Thanks...
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 339
Likes: 1
From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by Scudd
Why cant you wire it to keep the fans on all the time?
The car can actually keep itself cool on most days without the fans on at all if the car is moving at a decent speed...25mph+. Besides, I don't want to load the electrical system if it's not needed all the time.
Thanks for the reply though...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,114
Likes: 33
From: ct
I have Tom's radiators in my 60 and in my 66. I will be ordering one for the 69 I just bought. Love his stuff. It works right and Tom is always helpful if you need him. Thanks for the great product. Brian G.