[LS swap] Radiator...what am I doing wrong?
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Race Director
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From: Fisher, IL
[LS swap] Radiator...what am I doing wrong?
Ordered an LS radiator from Dewitts back in Jan when they had their sale.
Went to put it in today and I'm wondering if they sent me the wrong one or if I ordered the wrong one as it's not even close to fitting correct it looks like.
The radiator is short on all 2 dimensions... They only sell 2 different types for a '69 with dual spawls(automatic and a manual version) Is there that huge a difference in size of the two or just different hookups for the automatic?
I shot Dewitts a message on their website so hopefully they can help but figured some here might be able to tell me if it is a screw up on my end or not. What size are the big block radiators?
Went to put it in today and I'm wondering if they sent me the wrong one or if I ordered the wrong one as it's not even close to fitting correct it looks like.
The radiator is short on all 2 dimensions... They only sell 2 different types for a '69 with dual spawls(automatic and a manual version) Is there that huge a difference in size of the two or just different hookups for the automatic?
I shot Dewitts a message on their website so hopefully they can help but figured some here might be able to tell me if it is a screw up on my end or not. What size are the big block radiators?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Fisher, IL
yeah. It's either I ordered the wrong one or was sent the wrong one from the way it's looking.
Or I guess what I don't know is if the support for a big block is different an since my car was a NOM I'm not sure what was in it before.
Or I guess what I don't know is if the support for a big block is different an since my car was a NOM I'm not sure what was in it before.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Fisher, IL
Well Dewitts hasn't gotten back to me all week via email.
You can't send a private message to Tom via this site.
And they're closed today since they're at Carlisle!
Basically it's looking like I'm screwed. 60day return policy. It's for a small block but it's looking more and more like I needed a big block(even though I had a 350 in the vehicle when I got it.)
My old radiator measures 32" across where the new one is only 27.5"
They don't offer big block style LS series upgrades...
I guess I'll wait till I get another free day during the next week or two and call them again and see how nice they may be about a possible exchange...(fingers crossed)
Definitely my mistake for not measuring first though.
You can't send a private message to Tom via this site.
And they're closed today since they're at Carlisle!
Basically it's looking like I'm screwed. 60day return policy. It's for a small block but it's looking more and more like I needed a big block(even though I had a 350 in the vehicle when I got it.)
My old radiator measures 32" across where the new one is only 27.5"
They don't offer big block style LS series upgrades...
I guess I'll wait till I get another free day during the next week or two and call them again and see how nice they may be about a possible exchange...(fingers crossed)
Definitely my mistake for not measuring first though.
Last edited by PUNISHER VETTE; Aug 24, 2012 at 03:56 PM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Fisher, IL
Looks like there's only a 1" difference in core size between the BB and SB's. yet at least a 5" difference in actual size.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Brighton
1.First let me know what year car you have.
2.What model number is stenciled on the box or on your invoice
3. Measure the core size, which is the fin area only (inside to inside)
4. post a new photo showing the engine side of the radiator
5. measure the center distance of the U brackets on the radiator core support. The easiest way to do this is measure from the outside of one to the inside of the other, that is the exact center to center distance.
With all that info, I should be able to give you answer?
tom@dewitts.com
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Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Brighton
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Fisher, IL
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 11
From: Fisher, IL
Let me try to help you here as something is obviously wrong. Radiators shop created the standard of using the core size way back when they would replace the "core" or re-core the old copper/brass radiators. Since they were only replacing the core section they didn't care how big the overall size was.
1.First let me know what year car you have.
2.What model number is stenciled on the box or on your invoice
3. Measure the core size, which is the fin area only (inside to inside)
4. post a new photo showing the engine side of the radiator
5. measure the center distance of the U brackets on the radiator core support. The easiest way to do this is measure from the outside of one to the inside of the other, that is the exact center to center distance.
With all that info, I should be able to give you answer?
tom@dewitts.com
1.First let me know what year car you have.
2.What model number is stenciled on the box or on your invoice
3. Measure the core size, which is the fin area only (inside to inside)
4. post a new photo showing the engine side of the radiator
5. measure the center distance of the U brackets on the radiator core support. The easiest way to do this is measure from the outside of one to the inside of the other, that is the exact center to center distance.
With all that info, I should be able to give you answer?
tom@dewitts.com
2. invoice says LS026M
3. Core size 23.5"
4. I took the radiator out the second I took the pictures and stuck it back in my living room. (I'm single lol). Plus it looked too nice to hide it away somewhere.
5. 26.5" U bracket to U bracket.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
That is the wrong one for your core support. The SP036 is for 69-72 base cars that came with the factory aluminum radiator and separate surge tank. It mounts on the two pins on the bottom and not the U bracket you have. Your core support is for the 26" core and the correct package will be our 4239070M. Pack it up, ship it back, and we'll make you a new one
Race Director
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From: Sierra Foothills CA
That is the wrong one for your core support. The SP036 is for 69-72 base cars that came with the factory aluminum radiator and separate surge tank. It mounts on the two pins on the bottom and not the U bracket you have. Your core support is for the 26" core and the correct package will be our 4239070M. Pack it up, ship it back, and we'll make you a new one
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,253
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From: East Wenatchee (2hours from n e where) WA
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
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From: Fisher, IL