Will a 1977 radiator fit in my '70?
07-30-2012, 12:26 AM
#1
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Will a 1977 radiator fit in my '70?
Same engine. I am assuming the answer is yes, but I wanted to check. Thanks!
...On second thought, the '77 had A/C and the '70 does not, if that's relevant.
...On second thought, the '77 had A/C and the '70 does not, if that's relevant.
Last edited by DeadStang; 07-30-2012 at 12:36 AM.
07-30-2012, 01:10 PM
#4
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70's with a manual trans and no AC, used an aluminum 19" radiator, with a separate expansion tank.
1970 small blocks with AC or an automatic trans, as well as the 70 LT-1, used a 26" radiator, with attached tanks.
If your 70 is an automatic or LT-1, than you may be able to make the 77 radiator work in your car. The 77 radiator mounts differently than the 70. You will have to modify your core support, to accept the 77 radiator. The saddles are in a different position, and are sized differently.
If you have a manual trans, then you shouldn't even think about that 77 radiator.
If you really want to use the 77 radiator in your 70, the best bet would be to use the 77-82 core support also.
07-30-2012, 01:21 PM
#5
I bow to your expertise, I went to one of the venders and compared numbers and fit
not sure why the a/c would be relevant, seems an a/c car would have more cooling and the trans cooler lines could be plugged if they werent needed
course , if he's doing a restoration, which I suspect he's not , the correct year and optioned would be needed.
not sure why the a/c would be relevant, seems an a/c car would have more cooling and the trans cooler lines could be plugged if they werent needed
course , if he's doing a restoration, which I suspect he's not , the correct year and optioned would be needed.
Last edited by oldalaskaman; 07-30-2012 at 01:29 PM.
07-30-2012, 04:23 PM
#6
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The no air, L-48 manual trans 70, uses a 19" aluminum radiator. The 19" radiator has 2 pins on the bottom of it, that fit into holes in a channel in the bottom of the core support. The top center of the radiator is secured to the top of the core support, by a separate triangle shaped bracket. It also only has a 19" wide opening in the support, for air to enter the radiator.
Both the 26" wide 1970 radiator, and the 77 radiator (along with just about all other Corvette radiators), are designed to sit on rubber cushioned lined saddles. The 26" radiator, also has a core support that has a 26" wide opening in it.
To make things even more confusing, 70 big blocks use their own unique 27 1/2" wide radiator, and matching core support.
07-30-2012, 09:16 PM
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I was cutting corners...
The '77 was a manual transmission and I have the original radiator left over.
The '70 is actually an LT-1, manual transmission. I did a search and it doesn't seem like pulling and replacing the radiator is a super huge job. The fan shroud is in good shape and there is no power steering (or A/C stuff, obviously). I can't tell if the radiator is the original, but the bottom tube is dented and the petcock has been replaced with some funky square chunk of metal.
I'll just pull it and have it re-cored if it's original equipment. Thanks!
The '77 was a manual transmission and I have the original radiator left over.
The '70 is actually an LT-1, manual transmission. I did a search and it doesn't seem like pulling and replacing the radiator is a super huge job. The fan shroud is in good shape and there is no power steering (or A/C stuff, obviously). I can't tell if the radiator is the original, but the bottom tube is dented and the petcock has been replaced with some funky square chunk of metal.
I'll just pull it and have it re-cored if it's original equipment. Thanks!