I am planning 2 upgrades to the cooling system on my 1970 350, and hope that I can get some help with 2 questions:

1. I got an electric fan kit from Ecklers, and it includes aluminum brackets to attach to the radiator. It looks like I need to drill holes into the rails at the top and bottom of the radiator - these are the square cross-section tubes above and below the cooling fins. So the dumb question is - is this ok? or will I be drilling into an area that contains coolant? Here is the link to the kit that I have:

http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...1&dept_id=1252

2. I want to add an expansion tank so I can stop dropping cooling every time I park after a long drive. I don't want to spend the big money on a metal reproduction tank. Can anyone recommend a source for a decent, low cost kit? A plastic tank would be ok with me.

Thanks much,
Chris

 

What radiator do you have now? As for the fan and to be honest maybe you should think about sending it back and get one from DeWitt here on the forum as it is a much improved fan set up just for the C-3 as well he also has the correct Radiator as well.

You can also do a search here on the forum for a Radiator and Fans and you will have enough to read to keep you busy for a few days lol.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ghlight=DeWitt

 

I did read up on this thread AFTER I purchased the Eckler's kit. I found that Dewitt's has the same basic 16" SPAL single fan set up (cheaper than Eckler's, by the way).

My radiator is an original factory type unit, still in reasonably good condition. Am I safe to drill into the top and bottom rails, or will I end up with a shower of coolant and lots of cussing?

 

Well Yellow you did not fill out your profile so nobody knows where you live and thus the climate you deal with. But many hear use the Duel Fan set up to keep there car cool. You can call Tom DeWitt or send him an e mail and he will be glad to help.

No I do not work for him lol. But he has helped many here on the forum.

 

you say you are making "upgrades" to your system..........
My advice would be that before you start throwing money at the cooling system for a bunch of aftermarket parts to throw on there to fix whatever issues or problems you are having you describe to us what's your cooling system like now?
original or replacement radiator?
brass/copper unit or aluminum?
correct fan and fan clutch?
correct shroud?
all the correct seals around the radiator and shroud?
correct airdam in place under the nose?
correct radiator hoses with the internal springs?
Have you confirmed correct ignition timing and correct operation of the vacuum advance system?
what temp does your motor run at at idle and low speed driving?
what temp does your motor run at at highway speed?
Have you confirmed true operating temps with an IR temp gun or are you just going by what the gauge says?

you may be trying to fix a problem for example that is really something as simple as ignition timing too retarded causing higher than normal operating by spending hundreds of dollars on aftermarket fans, etc.
Call me cheap, but I like to know what the cause of the problem is BEFORE I start just throwing money at it......... been there, done that on problems with my cars so now I prefer to find the problem first and save money for parts i really need.

 

I have a totally stock setup with one major exception - about 10 years ago my water pump shaft failed and sent the fan up through my shroud, braking it beyond repair. I replaced the waterpump, pulley, fan, and fan clutch.

I have been reluctant to spend the $350 on a new shroud (1970 350, non-AC, Auto), but at the same time I have been worried that the next time my water pump fails, I will end up with a fan through the hood.

I have not been having overheating problems, but like the idea of losing the original fan and clutch and replacing with the more efficinet electric unit.

So - I have the electirc fan kit, and am eager to put it on. But I am reluctant to drill into the rails at the top and bottom of the radiator. I guess I don't understand the internals of the radiator enough to be comforatable knowing that I will not be drilling into an area that holds coolant. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks much,
Chris

 

As Barry alluded to, neither of the things you want to do to your cooling system are 'upgrades', you'll just be doing the same things differently with less money in your pocket to show for it.

Electric fans are not more efficient than stock fans, contrary to common belief.

If your car is puking coolant after shutdown, either your radiator cap is defective or you are overfilling the system.

 

So you don't have a shroud at all? That's probably the only thing you need to keep it cool without any upgrades.