c-3 radiators
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 775
Likes: 98
From: carroll ohio
heat and rad
hi. currant improvements went from 240 on my nightly cruise to about 205. now it's time to tackle the radiator seeing as it's 45 years old and appears to be the original with the oem tags on it.i will install the new unit along with the previous up grades and see what happens.if it needs more help i'll install a factory shroud and see what happens next. want to get this project over asap,other things to go after.
CDW - I agree with this statement, buy the best (not necessarily most expensive) all-around rad you can afford that aso fits your goals. Do your research and make up your own mind about what is right for you.
I would also suggest making sure your shroud covers the entire rad surface and it is sealed between both radiator/support and the rad/shroud if you expect it to cool properly. It's easy to assume an installed rad is no good, but other issues like proper airflow were not addressed first. I would tell anyone to check that before you make a major investment in hardware.
On buying brands other than the "popular choice" - Nothing wrong with Champion if you aren't concerned about stock look and want to save some cash. I have yet to talk to someone with a champion that has failed. Like wise, nothing wrong with a Dewitts that is known for high quality and you will likely fit w/out tweaking a bracket or modifying a cushion.
I would also suggest making sure your shroud covers the entire rad surface and it is sealed between both radiator/support and the rad/shroud if you expect it to cool properly. It's easy to assume an installed rad is no good, but other issues like proper airflow were not addressed first. I would tell anyone to check that before you make a major investment in hardware.
On buying brands other than the "popular choice" - Nothing wrong with Champion if you aren't concerned about stock look and want to save some cash. I have yet to talk to someone with a champion that has failed. Like wise, nothing wrong with a Dewitts that is known for high quality and you will likely fit w/out tweaking a bracket or modifying a cushion.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 775
Likes: 98
From: carroll ohio
heat gone
ok the jury is in now. not going into all the before but real quick i had heat problems and was hitting 210 after about half hour into my evening cruise. went to 240 when i got stuck behind some hay wagons on my way home. had the original 4-row radiator with my aluminum shroud, flex fan, thermostat restriction,(5/8 hole)new aluminum pump. shroud sealed and fan blades set up right. the new is a 3-row aluminum radiator,160 thermostat,14 inch pusher fan on the front,engine driven fan on the rear,two 3 1/2 inch ducts from the chin strap to the area where the shroud does not cover along with the new aluminum pump. went out yesterday and traveled the same route i always go for this test. pulled into the driveway after about 35 minutes on this late july day in central ohio,which was hot and muggy at a little under 180. went out about an hour and half to the same route with the same results. i am so happy now and will head for town on my next cruise without worry about over heating.one thing i want to mention is that i have an original 71 sb fan shroud which is round and does not cover all the radiator. you cannot cover a square radiator completely with a round radiator shroud. my aluminum shroud is the same size as the factory and is 7 lbs. lighter. i fabricated it after the factory unit.i have seen factory shrouds that cover the hole radiator for the 71 vette. i want one. but anyway i am so happy that this heat problem is over for a while. the aluminum radiator was 139.00 delivered to my front porch. i will re-core my original copper/brass radiator later in life which was 350.00 estimate. it's original and i want to keep it.thanks all for your opinions and suggestions which i used some.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 533
Likes: 87
From: SW Ohio
When the time came I took both the GTO & C3 radiators to a local guy here in Dayton & had the largest copper coils installed using the original tanks, the difference is copper coils can be repaired aluminum can not . Cost more to do it this way.
Chuck
Chuck
