Dewitts Radiator Fitment Issues
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 82
Dewitts Radiator Fitment Issues
I got my Dewitts radiator in for my LS5 Corvette yesterday (model 139069M)....slid it into place and the radiator is 7/16" wider than the bottom supports.
I knew that many of the forum members have used this radiator and it dropped right in place so to say the least I was suprised.
I called Dewitts but haven't heard back yet so I started by checking the bottom supports for straightness, check the radiator for square(it is). Measured my old radiator and the new one is 1/4" to 5/16" wider.
I could take a block of wood and massage the brackets over 3/16" or so on each side but was expecting the radiator to "drop" in the slots.
I would like to hear from anyone who has done a Big Block radiator install from Dewitts, nice radiator, just a ways from fitting correctly.
Thanks, Kevin
I knew that many of the forum members have used this radiator and it dropped right in place so to say the least I was suprised.
I called Dewitts but haven't heard back yet so I started by checking the bottom supports for straightness, check the radiator for square(it is). Measured my old radiator and the new one is 1/4" to 5/16" wider.
I could take a block of wood and massage the brackets over 3/16" or so on each side but was expecting the radiator to "drop" in the slots.
I would like to hear from anyone who has done a Big Block radiator install from Dewitts, nice radiator, just a ways from fitting correctly.
Thanks, Kevin
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
No, never do that. Let's find out what went wrong. The model 1339069M uses a core that is 27.5" header to header. That is the fin area only plus nothing, just the core area. Measure the fin area gap only, add no edges or lips and post what you have.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 82
Right on 27.5", top and bottom. Just for reference, this car was unhit and had the original rad support. I looked at the bottom supports carefully to see if someone may have straightened them and they look to be unmolested, I also inspected them when they where bead blasted.
Thanks for the input guys, this has me stumped.
Kevin
Thanks for the input guys, this has me stumped.
Kevin
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
Ok, let's check that support. Measure the center distance of the lower U bracket mounts. You can do this real easy by hooking the tape on the outside of one mount and measure to the inside of the other one. The BB support should be about 28" ish. The uppers should be the same but you'll have to bolt them in to check.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,335
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
I'll just put in my experience.
72 BB no A/B
Went to fit the rad support (original) and fit the rad (re-cored a long time ago) and found that the rad was too wide to sit in the cradle pads
The rad is measuring correct at 27-1/2 between the tanks (closer to 27-9/16)
The upper bolt on cradles (some play sidesways but not much actually) fit the rad perfect
The lower cradle, looks like the pass-side is too close buy about 1/2" (27") You could see where the pads are all deformed from the tank sitting up on the edges
To get it right I actually had to cut the lower supports off and move them outwards (3/8 on one side, 1/8 on the other to keep it centered)
Rad drops in perfect now. (New aluminum rad doesn't have that bottom tank ledge so it's not an issue but bothered me)
I can't say why it was off but the edge to edge on the lower mounts were 27"
M
72 BB no A/B
Went to fit the rad support (original) and fit the rad (re-cored a long time ago) and found that the rad was too wide to sit in the cradle pads
The rad is measuring correct at 27-1/2 between the tanks (closer to 27-9/16)
The upper bolt on cradles (some play sidesways but not much actually) fit the rad perfect
The lower cradle, looks like the pass-side is too close buy about 1/2" (27") You could see where the pads are all deformed from the tank sitting up on the edges
To get it right I actually had to cut the lower supports off and move them outwards (3/8 on one side, 1/8 on the other to keep it centered)
Rad drops in perfect now. (New aluminum rad doesn't have that bottom tank ledge so it's not an issue but bothered me)
I can't say why it was off but the edge to edge on the lower mounts were 27"
M
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 119
From: Springfield Missouri
has a radiator shop re-core my radiator, it would not fit back in. Took it back, they said they had the correct core in, bought a Dewitts alum radiator, slid right in on the new rubber pads.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 82
Just got back in town and check some dimensions...the top brackets are real close to 28" the lower brackets about 27 9/16". The passenger side looks closer to the edge of the core support so I bet that one was jigged off from the factory. I inspected the rubber support and it looks like the radiator was sitting on the edge, not the middle.
This being said it looks like my core support needs to come back out to properly move the bracket. When I reinstalled it the first time the top bolt on th passengers side took about 45 minutes to get back in, does anyone know a easier way to install and remove this bolt? Does the radiator core support usually have any shims on the side?
Thanks, Kevin
This being said it looks like my core support needs to come back out to properly move the bracket. When I reinstalled it the first time the top bolt on th passengers side took about 45 minutes to get back in, does anyone know a easier way to install and remove this bolt? Does the radiator core support usually have any shims on the side?
Thanks, Kevin
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,335
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
Just got back in town and check some dimensions...the top brackets are real close to 28" the lower brackets about 27 9/16". The passenger side looks closer to the edge of the core support so I bet that one was jigged off from the factory. I inspected the rubber support and it looks like the radiator was sitting on the edge, not the middle.....
M
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 82
Yes, the problem was with the factory placement of the passenger side lower bracket. The factory flange on the side of the radiator is slightly narrower than the replacement and they just jammed it in the brackets at the factory, it was rideing on the top edge of the rubber cushion.
Kevin
Kevin
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 421
From: BC
I noticed on my 69 that there is almost 1/4 inch of shims under each bottom bolt on the rad support. If these shims were not installed or removed it would cause the support to shrink or de-form moving the lower saddles closer together.
