dewitt rad
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
I did NOT remove the hood...that is not necessary....over the past 29 years,I have installed two radiators in my 78 without removing the hood.....the last one was the Dewitts I installed about a 1 1/2 years ago....what I did do, however,was remove the bolt,washer,and bushing at forward end of the upper A arm (pass.side) to allow more clearance for the lower rad outlet to pass by...that in my experience made the job easier..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
Words to think about even when typing on this old gray box.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 1,502
From: Little Rock AR
I was the one claiming it was a real pain to replace a Vette radiator. It really IS a pain for most people even if you do have skills IMHO. No biggie though. I got enough wrench abillity to do most of the work the car needs so it's just a difference of opinion.
-Mark.
-Mark.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
A little patience and common sense goes a long way with these cars.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 2
From: Arkansas
No one is forcing you to buy from him.......
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
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Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 698
Likes: 0
From: Social Circle Georgia
Since it was brought up in here as well, I'll answer here.
By lead I mean I do not force my customers to buy a DeWitts as their only option. Some of my customers simply can not afford one even though the costs are similar. For them I offer a quality brass replacement. However, for any customer who is not interested in originality, my first choice and suggestion is always a DeWitt's direct fit. Of course if the person wants NCRS, they can get a DeWitt's too but I deal with virtually no NCRS cars as that is not what we do.
As for pulling the hood. It depends on your car. Shrouds were different through the years as were options such as AC or not. Radiators were different to. You just have to see what you can do with your car. Just do not be surprised if you have to pull the hood. It's very easy to do and to reinstall. Just be careful, move slowly, and check the body lines.
Also put penetrating lube on the bolts holding the core support in place. You do not want to break one of these bolts off. These core supports are notorious for rusting as well, check it thoroughly when the radiator is out of the way especially behind the sealing foam strips.
By lead I mean I do not force my customers to buy a DeWitts as their only option. Some of my customers simply can not afford one even though the costs are similar. For them I offer a quality brass replacement. However, for any customer who is not interested in originality, my first choice and suggestion is always a DeWitt's direct fit. Of course if the person wants NCRS, they can get a DeWitt's too but I deal with virtually no NCRS cars as that is not what we do.
As for pulling the hood. It depends on your car. Shrouds were different through the years as were options such as AC or not. Radiators were different to. You just have to see what you can do with your car. Just do not be surprised if you have to pull the hood. It's very easy to do and to reinstall. Just be careful, move slowly, and check the body lines.
Also put penetrating lube on the bolts holding the core support in place. You do not want to break one of these bolts off. These core supports are notorious for rusting as well, check it thoroughly when the radiator is out of the way especially behind the sealing foam strips.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 698
Likes: 0
From: Social Circle Georgia
That's a viable question....but there are some reasons one might do that. A local dealer can provide installation assistance, or they might inventory the product and can deliver it right away, free of shipping. The dealer might discount it deeper than the factorys msrp or to avoid state taxes. Some dealers have discount programs that get better with the volume of purchases and/or they need a bunch of items and simply want to do one stop shopping which we can't provide.
Trey
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: shrewsbury Pa.
Amen Bigblocktank. I wonder now if I did take it the wrong way. If I did, then my apologies to him. But gosh, no matter how many times I read it I can't seem to take it any other way but as a personal slam. Couldn't figure why he would do it though, I don't know him nor have I ever spoken on this forum to him. Oh well happy new year to you and to ALL forum members!!! Good luck with your vets.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 549
Likes: 5
From: punta gorda florida
wow
Good Morning to all and happy NEW Year
This is the guy 69small block who origanly asked the question about the rad. warranty with DEwitt's I did know it would stir up so much crap out there Just for the record It was corvette america who raised my concerns to begin with I did not know at the time who the manufacturer was so I asked them to my relief it was DeWitt's. Tom has messaged me directly on the forum and stated no problem send it in. as far as the crap I thought this forum was for vette guys who like to shared a common goal to help each other out with there special car. There is a great deal of out there and not everyone has worked on these cars so a helping hand can save alot of frustration and funds for other members sincew most of Like to do it ourselves. and this is a great place for the help and there is no dumber ? than the one that is not asked.
Thank You
69small block
and Thank You Tom for being and honest buisness man and being proud of your product
This is the guy 69small block who origanly asked the question about the rad. warranty with DEwitt's I did know it would stir up so much crap out there Just for the record It was corvette america who raised my concerns to begin with I did not know at the time who the manufacturer was so I asked them to my relief it was DeWitt's. Tom has messaged me directly on the forum and stated no problem send it in. as far as the crap I thought this forum was for vette guys who like to shared a common goal to help each other out with there special car. There is a great deal of out there and not everyone has worked on these cars so a helping hand can save alot of frustration and funds for other members sincew most of Like to do it ourselves. and this is a great place for the help and there is no dumber ? than the one that is not asked.
Thank You
69small block
and Thank You Tom for being and honest buisness man and being proud of your product
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
Amen Bigblocktank. I wonder now if I did take it the wrong way. If I did, then my apologies to him. But gosh, no matter how many times I read it I can't seem to take it any other way but as a personal slam. Couldn't figure why he would do it though, I don't know him nor have I ever spoken on this forum to him. Oh well happy new year to you and to ALL forum members!!! Good luck with your vets.
