79 L48 AT (th350)

Okay guys I removed the radiator and the attached trans cooler from the vette today... I had a small leak under higher rpms, nothing really while putting around town. So like most C3 owners I enjoy working on my car, even though radiator repair/removal is less than fun on the C3's.

My first question is when reinstalling the trans cooler there will be air in the lines. Is there any special process I will need to do to fix this or do I just top off the Tranny and call her good?
Also, is there a better way to mount the trans cooler? It was mounted to the radiator with these black "hayden" connecting tabs.... they were ran through the fins on the trans cooler and radiator with rubber pads in between the two.

Second, I have slowly begun rremoving the air conditioning... (It finally developed a substantial leak) I really don't care for the clutter under the hood associated with A/C and it's a vette... take out the t-tops, roll down the windows and drive it like you stole it. anyway, I removed the A/C condenser... The only adverse reaction to this would be more air flow for the radiator/trans cooler right?

Third, I haven't taken the rad. to the rad shop yet so I don't have a price for repairs but after removing the radiator and deciding I really don't want to do it again. I am contemplating installig a aluminum replacement... I looked at Summitt, all they had for direct/custom fit radiators were Be Cool at around $300-500. I have seen on this forum that Dewitts come highly recommended. After close inspection at there website it seems they are TRULEY "direct fit" replacement radiators. at around $500. Do forum members get any kind of discount for Dewitts orders?
( I hate to sound cheap but, a penny saved is a penny earned )

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated..

"save the wave"

 

On my 79 with a 380 horse motor I went with a Modine stock replacment. It is usa made and at $190 has worked great. It dosen't think about overheating.

 

copper and brass or aluminum? got a website or other point of contact for Modine?

 

I am about to buy mine, and decided to go with Dewitts when i do it. I posted on here about it a couple days ago, and Tom Dewitt explained to me why his was the best, and granted he is selling his own product but it made sense and other guys said it was what he said so...
Search for "Best Aftermarket Aluminum Radiator??" and it should come up.

 

My new $300 brass radiator ain't worth the bugs trapped in it's fins, so I ordered a Dewitts. $580, that includes shipping and epoxy coating, should be here this week
Wish I would have done that in the first place!

 

Same, my new brass one won't cool it at any speed over about 50 when the temp outside is over 70 which is when i really wanna drive the darn thing.

 

I agree that the Dewitts is the best. I will go with one when mine craps out. My 10 year old copper rad. is working fine. Keeps it at 175 on the road and in traffic with electric fan, single 16 inch it never goes above 200. Fan is set at 195. So a copper will work if everything else is good but the aluminum is better. Budget go with copper. Want the best go with a Dewitts.

 

Last summer in the Texas heat My 79 L48 Auto. ran 210-220 with
AC on. Replaced stock radiator with Dewitts direct fit and stock water
pump with Edelbrock alum. high flow, haven't seen the temp. over 180
since the change and this was with outside temps of high 90s. So
far I think buying the Dewitts rad. was some of the best money I have
spent on car.

 

Ordered Dewitts aluminum direct fit rad.
I hope gettting it in is easier than taking the C&B one out.

 

I put my DeWitt radiator in last weekend in my 76 L-48. The only issue was the rubber pads on the top and bottom had to be cut because the new radiator is wider.

 

Now that you have cut the rubber pads, what stops the radiator from touching against the upper part of the metal radiator supports?

 

The pads are 'U' shaped with a groove in them. The groove was not cut as much towards the core support. I basically lengthed/extended the groove so the ridge of the radiator would fit in. The side tanks on the DeWitt radiator was about 1/2" to 3/4" wider. The pads are still there and in one piece.

 

lest you think otherwise, there is an alternative to dewitts - I got the summit (northern) aluminum rad and their radiator mounting kit (essentially 4 u-shaped brackets). The only problem was that the lower-right inlet (?) was not angled up far enough, but a radiator shop took care of that for about $25. Total Cost, including external tranny cooler - ~$250.

the radiator is the same as the dewitts unit - all aluminum, 2 1" rows, all brazed, no epoxy. More work, not factory appearance, but half the price. I think it was worth it.

 

I have the same rad, using a universal ribbed lower hose with elec fans and no shroud, rarely turn on the fans

BTW I am running almost all dist water and Water Wetter, very little anti-freeze in the summer.