Need new radiator
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 269
Likes: 1
From: Eagle Rock Va
Need new radiator
As stated need a new radiator. Called Dewitts, the one I need is $920.00 
I guess what I need to Know is there another one that does as good a job or do I just bite the bullit and spend the bux? By the way I said I was forum member,they said makes no difference
I guess what I need to Know is there another one that does as good a job or do I just bite the bullit and spend the bux? By the way I said I was forum member,they said makes no difference
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
I bought one from the local radiator shop (copper one) and cost me less than 300 bucks. Dewitts has a very fine product, but all I wanted was a low $$ solution to get my 78' on the road.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
You mean "the one I want". That price is for a radiator/dual fan combination and most people don't need that. It might be overkill. Don't get me wrong, the combinations are great packages but just upgrading to an aluminum radiator can drop you 20-40 degrees. So, if you have a problem motor that's running 220 it would be reasonable to expect the radiator alone to bring it down to the 180 stat level. Radiator only $495
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If your radiator core is the only problem area, most radiator shops can re-core your radiator for much less than the cost of a new one. And you won't have the hook-up problems created by a non-standard radiator for your car. It is a viable option. The properly re-cored radiator will work just as well as yours did when it was new.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 3
From: Springfield Illinois
I have to say I have never seen an aftermarket radiator with the same quality as DeWitts!!! You can spray his radiators black and would probably have a hard time being able to tell if its the original or not!
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 3
From: Springfield Illinois
IMHO Bite the bullet by the DeWitts. Then keep the original and when you decide to restore to NCRS pay the $300 and put the original. I personally don't see why people would put over half the cost of a brand new aftermarket into an old radiator.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,342
Likes: 7
From: Connecticut
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
I personally know people that spent $500-600 to restore the copper radiator to the exact factory condition. I'm sure you can buy a replacement copper radiator for $350, no need to post a bunch of links to radiator sites. All I'm saying is that the re-coring to original condition is more expensive than buying a new aluminum one.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,357
Likes: 427
From: Seattle Area WA
And don't forget that the end tanks are probably rotted out too. The one I took out of the kid's '76 had mulitple pin holes in the tanks and for me, it wasn't worth even keeping it around for any possible future use. IMHO, just get the Dewitts piece and be done with it. I installed one in my buddies '69 a while back and it they are very nice radiators. It cooled his chronically hot big block right down.
Last edited by Scott Marzahl; Aug 28, 2007 at 12:45 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 269
Likes: 1
From: Eagle Rock Va
The main reason I wanted to go with the additional cooling is that in the near future I wanted to go to a 383, and I thought this would be better for a high HP engine. My radiator cracked around the top flange where the hose hooks, so I didn't know if it was even worth trying to fix, thanks all 
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
The radiator is just about the most important thing to have in that car. Pinch pennies everywhere else, well maybe not the brakes, but for sure this is a good place to splurge.
You will not regret it.
You will not regret it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
OK, boys. Let's get real. I'm not a "bumpkin" that just fell of the corn wagon.... I checked the radiator source out, made sure that they checked the tank, frame and connections for being servicible, etc. etc. The bottom line is that re-coring my radiator was less than $400 and it was in nearly new condition (painted, cleaned, etc.). I'm happy with that, compared to paying $900 for exactly the same thing new from "wherever" or paying $500 for a "similar" designed aluminum unit. You can tell me over and over that it was NOT the right thing to do....but it was, as far as I'm concerned. I still do appreciate your opinions and advice....but I don't really need to be chastised for making my decision.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
The bottom line is that re-coring my radiator was less than $400 and it was in nearly new condition (painted, cleaned, etc.). I'm happy with that, compared to paying $900 for exactly the same thing new from "wherever" or paying $500 for a "similar" designed aluminum unit.
I see your point because I almost went the same way. In reality though, have your old radiator refurbished for $400 compared to a more efficient NEW aluminum radiator for $95 more just doesn't win.
$400 re-core vs $495 NEW DeWitts.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
OK, boys. Let's get real. I'm not a "bumpkin" that just fell of the corn wagon.... I checked the radiator source out, made sure that they checked the tank, frame and connections for being servicible, etc. etc. The bottom line is that re-coring my radiator was less than $400 and it was in nearly new condition (painted, cleaned, etc.). I'm happy with that, compared to paying $900 for exactly the same thing new from "wherever" or paying $500 for a "similar" designed aluminum unit. You can tell me over and over that it was NOT the right thing to do....but it was, as far as I'm concerned. I still do appreciate your opinions and advice....but I don't really need to be chastised for making my decision.
I don't know if you are really being chastised for your decision, it's just that there are a lot of us on the forum who own Dewitt's radiators and appreciate the quality of the products. Yes, there are alternatives available - I originally ordered a raidiator from AutoZone for $350 or so. I ended up returning it without even opening the box. IMO, Tom doesn't overcharge for his products but it's a free country and everyone can decide for themselves.
Rick B.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Nothing wrong with DeWitt's radiators, at all. I just didn't see the need to go that way...especially when it would cost me double (as a minimum). By the way, the re-core on my radiator was estimated to be around $300 by my mechanic. The bill actually came to $247.50.....hard to beat for a stock 270hp 350, don't you think?