eBay Aluminum Radiators
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 119
From: Springfield Missouri
you get what you pay for, if they don't have the correct bottom hose hook-up, don't be surprised. Get a Dewitts and be happy!
I am and so are most of the others that buy from him!!
I am and so are most of the others that buy from him!!
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 421
From: BC
I bought a Champion aluminum rad that was supposed to fit a 69 427 but they failed to mention that you would have to cut off the lower mounts from the rad support and install "square" ones to fit their rad and also replace the top supports. I decided rather than chop and weld my original rad support to try and get their poor design to fit I would order a Dewitts so I did that a couple of days ago on their forum sale here.
The Champion is a POS and it will be going in the recycle bin. See the pic below. The lower supports are even worse....
You don't even get what you pay for. My opinion is it's absolute garbage.
The Champion is a POS and it will be going in the recycle bin. See the pic below. The lower supports are even worse....
You don't even get what you pay for. My opinion is it's absolute garbage.
Last edited by CanadaGrant; Jan 19, 2014 at 06:58 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Morton Grove Illinois
I bought one of the cheap aluminum ones on eBay. I'm extremely impressed and Happy with it. No leaks, seems very well made which I wasn't expecting. And I never had an overheating issue since I installed it in the summer.I went with electric fans too and ditched the mechanical fan and shroud.
This was on a 79 with a small block by the way. Didn't have to modify anything in my case.
I would have gone with a Dewitts, but my budget didn't allow me
This was on a 79 with a small block by the way. Didn't have to modify anything in my case.
I would have gone with a Dewitts, but my budget didn't allow me
Last edited by Conrad Celinski; Jan 19, 2014 at 07:03 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 848
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
i have the champion and it went right in, none are a perfect fit someone somewhere will have an issue with any of them. i am very pleased with champion and it cools very well.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 476
Likes: 37
From: Lynnwood WA
I am running a two row American eagle from Champion in my 79 it came as a kit with an aluminum shroud and a 16''fan. (AE718-718FS16) fit great, even the drain plug is in the right place! It is so nice to just slide a pan under the car, and have it drain into the pan without splashing off of other parts on the way. I know that it does not sound like a big deal, until it doesn't work that way, and you have antifreeze all over the place and what is in the pan includes all the crap it has washed of the bottom of the car.
Zorro
Zorro
Last edited by Zorro O; Jan 19, 2014 at 07:44 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,390
Likes: 315
From: Belmont Michigan
I think it's kind of a crapshoot out there. Last winter after some research I decided to go with an OE type replacement replacement on my '75. A DeWitts wasn't in the cards budget-wise, and stories on the cheap aluminum ones were kind of split. I didn't care for the idea of having to modify anything to make it fit. I ordered my OE replacement from a national online parts warehouse. When I received it, lo and behold when I opened the box there was an aluminum rad inside- not what I had ordered. I thought about using it anyway, until I got it out of the box and took a look at it:
I don't know if it was built that out of square and crooked, or if it was run over a couple of times by a truck before it made it into the box, but my mind was pretty well made up at that point. I sent it back and ordered an OE replacement from Advance Auto Parts and paid under $300 for it, and it fit good and it runs nice and cool.
I don't know if it was built that out of square and crooked, or if it was run over a couple of times by a truck before it made it into the box, but my mind was pretty well made up at that point. I sent it back and ordered an OE replacement from Advance Auto Parts and paid under $300 for it, and it fit good and it runs nice and cool.
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Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 421
From: BC
When I found The rad wouldn't fit (see above post) I contacted the fleabay seller nationwidecooling and was told:
"We have spoken with Champion Cooling Systems and they have indicated that you will most likely need 4 row saddle mounts/brackets in order to install this radiator."
If they couldn't make the radiator to fit a 1969 Corvette, why would they list and sell you it specifically for a 1969 427 Corvette? Beats me...
When I asked this question I never heard from the vendor again so it's buyer beware. They still list it.
I wrote it off as a lost cause and ordered a Dewitts which is what I should have done in the first place.
"We have spoken with Champion Cooling Systems and they have indicated that you will most likely need 4 row saddle mounts/brackets in order to install this radiator."
If they couldn't make the radiator to fit a 1969 Corvette, why would they list and sell you it specifically for a 1969 427 Corvette? Beats me...
When I asked this question I never heard from the vendor again so it's buyer beware. They still list it.
I wrote it off as a lost cause and ordered a Dewitts which is what I should have done in the first place.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Big block Chevy engines use copper radiators from the factory,,,not aluminum ones, I would presume they did it for better cooling....I know that I have never overheated mine....and uses a 180 stat
but whatever
but whatever
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Even the fancy radiators will have those a little crooked mines no different. It didnt fit and leaks too .
But sounds like they may take care of it well see. Sure hope so.
Sorry those Champions look like azz my god look at those welds
oh well if it cools better than the stocker and was cheap guess it doesnt matter.
The aftermarket I bought easily brough temps down by a solid 10 deg overall which is nice. As they say nothing is "bolt in"
But sounds like they may take care of it well see. Sure hope so.
Sorry those Champions look like azz my god look at those welds
oh well if it cools better than the stocker and was cheap guess it doesnt matter. The aftermarket I bought easily brough temps down by a solid 10 deg overall which is nice. As they say nothing is "bolt in"
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 23
From: Prescott AZ
I have the 3 row copper radiator that's in great condition from my 1970 4 speed vette that I had cleaned and tested at my local radiator shop. If your interested I would sell it for $200.00 plus shipping.
Rob
Rob
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 421
From: BC
When I found The rad wouldn't fit (see above post) I contacted the fleabay seller nationwidecooling and was told:
"We have spoken with Champion Cooling Systems and they have indicated that you will most likely need 4 row saddle mounts/brackets in order to install this radiator."
If they couldn't make the radiator to fit a 1969 Corvette, why would they list and sell you it specifically for a 1969 427 Corvette? Beats me...
When I asked this question I never heard from the vendor again so it's buyer beware. They still list it.
I wrote it off as a lost cause and ordered a Dewitts which is what I should have done in the first place.
"We have spoken with Champion Cooling Systems and they have indicated that you will most likely need 4 row saddle mounts/brackets in order to install this radiator."
If they couldn't make the radiator to fit a 1969 Corvette, why would they list and sell you it specifically for a 1969 427 Corvette? Beats me...
When I asked this question I never heard from the vendor again so it's buyer beware. They still list it.
I wrote it off as a lost cause and ordered a Dewitts which is what I should have done in the first place.
Here's one for you. An hour after posting this I got an email offering to take the rad back if I paid the shipping from Canada plus a 20% "re-stocking" fee. Their fault and I pay.
Lucky me.... Garbage in, garbage out. It's going to the recyclers. Beware of the cheap trash Boys! The quality is in the picture.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 39,390
Likes: 171
From: Into the Mystic And yet, despite the look on my face, you're still talking TN
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '25
I looked at the el cheapo chinese junk.....very briefly
DeWitts fit perfect, the construction is top drawer, and solved my cooling problems.
In this case, I think you really do get what you pay for.
DeWitts fit perfect, the construction is top drawer, and solved my cooling problems.
In this case, I think you really do get what you pay for.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 81
From: Hamilton Virginia
Bought a Champion 3 core for my 76' with a big block conversion. It fit fine and so far cooling fine. All hoses fit and I can turn the petcock if need be. $ 200 to my door. I am fine with that. Nobodys perfect and I am sure Dewitts has had a few returns.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 805
Likes: 5
From: Naperville Illinois
Bought a Griffin radiator, from Summit IIRC. 100% American made, according to their website. I ordered a rad without a trans cooler (switched to an external trans cooler). The radiator was a direct fit for me. It lacks a drain petcock but otherwise it's a nice piece.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...-300-pics.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...-300-pics.html
