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New DeWitt Radiator, thanks!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Mountain View California
New DeWitt Radiator, thanks!
Wanted to say thanks to all of the folks that post such great information on the site. I just completed a radiator swap in my '72 auto/AC/convert.
The recommendations for the DeWitt were spot on. It's a great investment in an extremely well made product. I got the factory fit with the black coating. Packaging was bulletproof and pretty much guarantees safe arrival.
Only after I put the new radiator in did I realize how hot my car was running before. It used to hover around 190-200 (according to the stock temp gage). Now it never budges from the mid-line between the 100 and the 210 on the gage, or 165.
The recommendations for the DeWitt were spot on. It's a great investment in an extremely well made product. I got the factory fit with the black coating. Packaging was bulletproof and pretty much guarantees safe arrival.
Only after I put the new radiator in did I realize how hot my car was running before. It used to hover around 190-200 (according to the stock temp gage). Now it never budges from the mid-line between the 100 and the 210 on the gage, or 165.
Last edited by bwizeman; Sep 11, 2012 at 06:32 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
I took the 72 out on a 100 degree day last Summer to see how the cooling system would perform. As usual, the electric fan came on at the first hash mark and the gauge never went higher. I have the DeWitt small-block radiator and I'm running a healthy LS1 and I have had no cooling problems at all.
My only complaint is that in cold weather the engine doesn't warm up enough to give me some heat!
Rick B.
My only complaint is that in cold weather the engine doesn't warm up enough to give me some heat!
Rick B.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
I'm using electric fans on my DeWitt's. With the 180 thermostat the electric fans will kick on when the gauge hits 200 and kick off when the gauge hits 150. ...when idling. When going down the road the fans never kick on. 
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 4
From: Springfield VA
Remember you want your engine to get up to temp, running to cool is not good either.
180 is the lowwest Therm I would run for a street car. If you have over cooling then a 195 may be better.
Not saying you are running to cool but might want to get a digitial gauge on for a day to check your temps to make sure you are at least hitting 180.
180 is the lowwest Therm I would run for a street car. If you have over cooling then a 195 may be better.
Not saying you are running to cool but might want to get a digitial gauge on for a day to check your temps to make sure you are at least hitting 180.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,317
Likes: 111
From: St Louis MO
There is lots of engineering data that show that engine wear is greater at engine water jacket temperatures below 180 degrees. Don't follow the myth that a colder thermostat will give better cooling on a hot day - once the thermostat is fully open, the cooling system is flowing at its maximum. Don't use a thermostat colder than 180 degrees.
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Mountain View California
I threw out the 160 deg thermostat that was in the car and put a brand new 180 degree thermostat in the car when I replaced the radiator. I interpreted a steady temp as solid and put faith in the thermostat knowing it is a 180. Figured the 40 year old gauge and sending unit were less reliable. Probably wise to do a 'calibration' of sorts the next time I get a chance as you guys suggest... compare the gauge temp to the measured water temp from an independent gauge.
Last edited by bwizeman; Sep 12, 2012 at 06:36 PM. Reason: spelling
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
There is lots of engineering data that show that engine wear is greater at engine water jacket temperatures below 180 degrees. Don't follow the myth that a colder thermostat will give better cooling on a hot day - once the thermostat is fully open, the cooling system is flowing at its maximum. Don't use a thermostat colder than 180 degrees.
I agree with you. I will always run >180.