1979 Rad-Which One?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
1979 Rad-Which One?
I guess it is time to get a new rad. I can fool about with T-stats, flushes and the like but the fact remains that my rad is 24-years-old. All is well for the moment but this will become a winter task. I can source an original, discontinued 1979 rad from GM for about $180.00US. There are several in GM depots in the USA. But the questions boggle the mind. You see this in Corvette catalogues:
-1 1/4" or 1 1/2" inlets?
-L-48 or L-82?
-A/C or not?
-HD or not?
-HD without A/C? Except for the L-82?
I am making the assumption that the 1979 L-82 without A/C has a HD rad. It certainly does have a 1 1/2" ID diameter on the hoses. Is that a reasonable assumption?
-1 1/4" or 1 1/2" inlets?
-L-48 or L-82?
-A/C or not?
-HD or not?
-HD without A/C? Except for the L-82?
I am making the assumption that the 1979 L-82 without A/C has a HD rad. It certainly does have a 1 1/2" ID diameter on the hoses. Is that a reasonable assumption?
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,825
Likes: 56
From: Shawano WI
Re: 1979 Rad-Which One? (paul79)
Paul:
If you look in the GM parts book there are a lot of different choices but they all work out to 2 different part numbers if you have 1 1/2" inlet.
They are
Part # 3055558 for L48 with or withput A/C
Part # 3055556 for L82 with or without A/C
There is a metal tag welded to your radiator about half way down on the right side, it should have a tag code of "ML"
Late 76 through early 79 used the 1 1/2" radiator neck, Late 79 through 82 used the 1 1/4" neck.
If you look in the GM parts book there are a lot of different choices but they all work out to 2 different part numbers if you have 1 1/2" inlet.
They are
Part # 3055558 for L48 with or withput A/C
Part # 3055556 for L82 with or without A/C
There is a metal tag welded to your radiator about half way down on the right side, it should have a tag code of "ML"
Late 76 through early 79 used the 1 1/2" radiator neck, Late 79 through 82 used the 1 1/4" neck.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Re: 1979 Rad-Which One? (Pete79L82)
Thanks Pete. I did not look too hard but I cannot find that tag. But the ID of the hose is definitely 1 1/2". I have those hoses in the basement and did the measurement. So it looks like 3055556 which is the one that is still available. many thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,825
Likes: 56
From: Shawano WI
Re: 1979 Rad-Which One? (paul79)
The tag on mine is in a position that is pretty much unreadable in the car. It is just about in line with the front of the right upper control arm. With A/C you can't see anything there.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,226
Likes: 399
From: Northern CA
Re: 1979 Rad-Which One? (paul79)
You're right... the L-82 probably has the heavy duty radiator. I installed a 4-core Modine... (heavy duty) for under $225.00. Made a world of difference and now I don't even think about cooling problems. :cool:
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Re: 1979 Rad-Which One? (KENS78SILVERANNIV)
I think the rad with the 1 1/2" inlet is correct. I can't find a tag but as noted, GM parts numbers come down to two choices. And the other is 1 1/4" which I do not have.
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