If it doesn't help, give her Tom's number..
Looking for radiator advice.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
If you can weld aluminum or have a friend who will do it for you for free, then have at a Univesal fit. If not, you will probably spend what you thought you were saving to get the necks on the Universal pointed in the right directions to match up with your hoses.
Don't ask how I know this......
Don't ask how I know this......
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,128
Likes: 21
From: North Alabama
Originally Posted by ESU
I saw Gregs thread, I was gonna go that route, save a little money, do a little fabricating, been done that way before. Lately though I must be getting old and tired , especially tired of my problem so I went against my nickname of old t-rex arms, reached real deep in the wallet and sprung for mr dewitts product. Got a ration of s**t from the old lady too. Tom this better work,
ESU
ESU
That's how I convinced my wife anyway. Told her I was getting the Dewitt's then showed her the alternative. She said "Ooo I like that one better".
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,128
Likes: 21
From: North Alabama
Originally Posted by flynhi
If you can weld aluminum or have a friend who will do it for you for free, then have at a Univesal fit. If not, you will probably spend what you thought you were saving to get the necks on the Universal pointed in the right directions to match up with your hoses.
Don't ask how I know this......
Don't ask how I know this......
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by BerniesVette
I can't wait for the reports on the hotrod, Dewitts, and summit radiators, how many cores they have and how well they perform! I do appreciate the info, as well as , many others facing this decision!
Bernie
Bernie
I personally had a mechanic I trusted install the radiator from hot rods usa (Northern Factory part number 5066 by the way) and they only charged 2 hours of labor to install it. It would have been 1 hour had the upper brackets not needed some tinkering.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 1
From: VetteMOD
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
I have done lots of "conversions" to my car but I always think about the guy who owns my car 25 years from now (whether it's me or someone else). I know its seem ridiculous but imagine a C3 owner in 2030 on the Corvette Forum talking about trying to fix his Bubba radiator "conversion" . But, think about the same guy in 2030 with a Dewitts direct fit radiator. Same radiator, same hoses, same core support etc. as factory. Chances are the guy with the Dewitts will be able to get a radiator hose when he is broken down and the guy with your "conversion" (that saved you a couple of bucks) will be hmmm, let's say, unhappy with you.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 454
Likes: 0
From: SAN CLEMENTE CALIFORNIA
74 454 Darrow
Put a new alum rad in last sunday droped the temp about 20 degrees.
Bought it from entrophy corp in milwaukee. seems to be ok, the only problem was a frame bolt stuck out a little and rubbed I just ground off the extra on the bolt. one thing I guess the only reason I did not order a dewitts is not knowing about them If I need another one I will order it from them. this one was cheaper who knows maybe i will need one sooner then I think, also to use the seals around the rad you need to add to them.......... to soon to tell how good it is will get back later.
used all orignal hoses and brackets good fit
Bought it from entrophy corp in milwaukee. seems to be ok, the only problem was a frame bolt stuck out a little and rubbed I just ground off the extra on the bolt. one thing I guess the only reason I did not order a dewitts is not knowing about them If I need another one I will order it from them. this one was cheaper who knows maybe i will need one sooner then I think, also to use the seals around the rad you need to add to them.......... to soon to tell how good it is will get back later.
used all orignal hoses and brackets good fit
Last edited by DARROW; Aug 7, 2006 at 10:10 PM.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
Originally Posted by BerniesVette
Your information will be appreciated.
Bernie
Bernie
If cost is not your only concern and you would like some justification for what we are offering, then this might be of interest.
http://www.dewitts.com/download/c3%20direct%20fit.pdf
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
Originally Posted by BBShark
I have done lots of "conversions" to my car but I always think about the guy who owns my car 25 years from now (whether it's me or someone else). I know its seem ridiculous but imagine a C3 owner in 2030 on the Corvette Forum talking about trying to fix his Bubba radiator "conversion" . But, think about the same guy in 2030 with a Dewitts direct fit radiator. Same radiator, same hoses, same core support etc. as factory. Chances are the guy with the Dewitts will be able to get a radiator hose when he is broken down and the guy with your "conversion" (that saved you a couple of bucks) will be hmmm, let's say, unhappy with you.
The expected lifteime of any radiator isn't even close to 25 years. C/B is expected 7 years these days. I don't know about alum.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,128
Likes: 21
From: North Alabama
Originally Posted by Tom DeWitt
As mentioned, there are cheaper ways to go than DeWitts. If the cost is your main concern, then we are not for you.
If cost is not your only concern and you would like some justification for what we are offering, then this might be of interest.
http://www.dewitts.com/download/c3%20direct%20fit.pdf
If cost is not your only concern and you would like some justification for what we are offering, then this might be of interest.
http://www.dewitts.com/download/c3%20direct%20fit.pdf
to Dewitt's and their excellent product
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Kingsland Georgia
Originally Posted by Old Mo
ESU; waiting on your post after you get your alum. radiator in. Should be the real deal on how much it helps. 
Capt. Ron
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 659
Likes: 0
From: Flower Mound Texas
With auto and air to contend with, there was no way I was going to try to save a few bucks and have to worry about fabrication. I was particularly concerned about the lower hose fitment.
I bought a Dewitts and could not be happier. Just my $.02...
I bought a Dewitts and could not be happier. Just my $.02...
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 1
From: VetteMOD
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Originally Posted by noonie
The expected lifteime of any radiator isn't even close to 25 years. C/B is expected 7 years these days. I don't know about alum.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville Tennessee
This is one of those threads where everybody wins. There has been excellent information and different alternatives with the pros and cons of each. This is just another reason the forum is so important to both the C3 owners and the vendors. Thanks again!
Bernie
Bernie
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,544
Likes: 0
From: Youngstown Ohio
Regetably I was not on this forum 2 years ago, DeWitts sounds great, The good news I got a BeCool and was more than pleased with thier customer service, I paid about a grand for a "module" including dual fans, wiring, and double pass rad. As my car is "not quite standard" and we made some suspension mods that required changing Rad position, BeCool twice switched out radiatior , and reworked the outlet port to allow for needed clearances, I Was VERY happy with the company and felt they went way past what I could have expected.
With that said if I had to do it again AND know what I know now for needed mods etc I would probably go with a custom from Fluidyne for the "race name"
( man what a sell out I am) or I don't remember the name, someone on here will, Barry or something like that makes unbelievably gorgeous polished/finished rads for alot of hot rods.
Gotta support DeWitts though................just a few options and observations.....
With that said if I had to do it again AND know what I know now for needed mods etc I would probably go with a custom from Fluidyne for the "race name"
( man what a sell out I am) or I don't remember the name, someone on here will, Barry or something like that makes unbelievably gorgeous polished/finished rads for alot of hot rods.
Gotta support DeWitts though................just a few options and observations.....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
Originally Posted by 73-84 IMSA Widebody
....... Barry or something like that makes unbelievably gorgeous polished/finished rads for alot of hot rods.
Now, if I only saw any money from these gorgeous radiators I seem to be making I'd be really happy!
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 9
From: staten island ny
Rad was delivered today, so after getting home from work at 1730 I had to install an alternator in my sons 91 dodge. It mounts underneath the motor instead of topside. After that was done I figured I'd pull the vette out of the garage and at least start taking the old rad out. Apparently Mr Murphy and his law were working tonite so it took longer than I expected to get it out. By 2000 I had it out but with work tomorrow and still having to pick my son up at his job I packed the tools up , pushed everything into the garage including the vette, no easy task by yourself, and hopefully will be able to get the new one in tomorrow. Capt Ron, no one wishes you were closer to give me a hand than me right now. I'm real glad there wont (shouldnt) be any fabbing done to get this ready I'm just dog tired. Need a beer and off to bed, will update tomorrow,
ESU
ESU
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Originally Posted by Kalway
I still haven't heard what the actual dimensions of dewitts direct fit for 77 - 82's are...
http://www.dewitts.com/pages/product...asp?ProdID=282
Bet dimensions match the stock copper/brass.....height/width..etc..
Rich
Last edited by rihwoods; Aug 8, 2006 at 10:11 PM.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
Before I post any dimensions I thought I would include a link to a page that shows what the numbers actually mean. A lot of people do not know how to measure a radiator and the numbers would be confusing without this link
http://www.northwestradiator.com/pages/measure.htm
With that said, all C3 crossflow type radiators are considered 17" tall by the following:
69-72 sb 26" w/ AC or Auto or RPO eng.
69-72 bb 27.5"
73-76 all 27.5"
77-82 26.25"
Now I'm sure someone is going to say, hey Tom, my radiator is 18.5 tall or my radiator is 32" end to end. My answer is look at the link again. You do not measure anything but the actual cooling area (fin surface) only. Do not include edges, channels, lips, or any other part.
http://www.northwestradiator.com/pages/measure.htm
With that said, all C3 crossflow type radiators are considered 17" tall by the following:
69-72 sb 26" w/ AC or Auto or RPO eng.
69-72 bb 27.5"
73-76 all 27.5"
77-82 26.25"
Now I'm sure someone is going to say, hey Tom, my radiator is 18.5 tall or my radiator is 32" end to end. My answer is look at the link again. You do not measure anything but the actual cooling area (fin surface) only. Do not include edges, channels, lips, or any other part.
Last edited by Tom@Dewitt; Aug 9, 2006 at 12:22 AM.