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Old Mar 26, 2017 | 06:47 PM
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Default Aluminum radiator question

I'm looking at a aluminum radiator on Craigslist for a 76 corvette will it fit in my 68?
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Old Mar 26, 2017 | 06:57 PM
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If your 68 is stock - then no.

What will "fit" in your 68 depends on many factors (AT 4sp A/C etc)
but a 76 rad will not fit your 68.
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Old Mar 26, 2017 | 07:33 PM
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You might make it fit, had an 81 radaitor in my 69 for a spell, seems the radiator support is different in 68, a c2 left over...wheres lou,? Mr 68,

If bargain hunting buy a champion off ebay if bucks up buy dewitts, both will fit, both will cool your car.
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Old Mar 26, 2017 | 07:42 PM
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Amazing they can sell them so inexpensive. I did a 2 core champion off ebay in my 72 with small block and performer cam and performance heads and it cool's very well... and fit fine also.

Last edited by Grover 3; Mar 26, 2017 at 07:44 PM.
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Old Mar 26, 2017 | 08:58 PM
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Originally Posted by The13Bats
You might make it fit, had an 81 radaitor in my 69 for a spell, seems the radiator support is different in 68, a c2 left over...wheres lou,? Mr 68,

If bargain hunting buy a champion off ebay if bucks up buy dewitts, both will fit, both will cool your car.
the one I'm looking at is a champion with electric fans for $125
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Old Mar 26, 2017 | 08:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Hammerhead Fred
If your 68 is stock - then no.

What will "fit" in your 68 depends on many factors (AT 4sp A/C etc)
but a 76 rad will not fit your 68.
4 speed no ac no pwr steering no pwr brakes 350 small block short water pump
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Old Mar 27, 2017 | 05:59 AM
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There are 2 different radiators for the SBC in 68, the 300hp takes the small radiator thus the core support is sized for that. The 350 hp takes the larger radiator, the core support has a different opening size and the radiator mounts are in a different location. T
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Old Mar 27, 2017 | 09:05 AM
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Hi yvh,
This sounds sadly similar to your $100 headers.
Regards,
Alan
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Old Mar 27, 2017 | 10:11 AM
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Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi yvh,
This sounds sadly similar to your $100 headers.
Regards,
Alan
yeah but money's tight (I'm almost broke) but I have a job and I'm 16 so I live with my parents... I'm getting the header thing fixed next week hopefully. This is my first corvette but I've been told they tend to overheat, so I figured I'd try to fix that problem before it happens
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Old Mar 27, 2017 | 10:23 AM
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Originally Posted by Youngvettehunter
...This is my first corvette but I've been told they tend to overheat...
The original cooling system in good shape is all you need. If money is tight, use the stock system. No sense paying for a CL find you may not need.
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Old Mar 27, 2017 | 10:31 AM
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if your worried about your rad or it leaks take that $100 and go to a radiator shop, get it tested and the leaks fixed. should last another 50 years
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Old Mar 27, 2017 | 10:53 AM
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Hi yvh,
One of the LAST places you want to skimp if money is tight is the cooling system. An engine damaged by overheating pretty much spoils the day.
Corvettes don't overheat if they have the proper radiator installed with the proper fan shroud, ALL the radiator to core-support seals in place, and the core-support to hood seals installed.
A properly operating water pump and fan clutch is essential.
Regards,
Alan
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Old Mar 27, 2017 | 11:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi yvh,
One of the LAST places you want to skimp if money is tight is the cooling system. An engine damaged by overheating pretty much spoils the day.
Corvettes don't overheat if they have the proper radiator installed with the proper fan shroud, ALL the radiator to core-support seals in place, and the core-support to hood seals installed.
A properly operating water pump and fan clutch is essential.
Regards,
Alan
what about a electric fan or fans?
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Old Mar 27, 2017 | 11:36 AM
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Hi yvh,
What parts of the cooling system do you presently have, (and what are they from?), and what do you need?
You haven't yet said what the radiator/fans are for…. will they be suitable for your car?
So far I don't have much confidence in your 'finds'…. the headers, the wheels, and now this $125 radiator/fans.
You could end up finding that you've assembled such a miss-matched group of parts to make this car that actually finishing it and getting it to a point that it's drivable on a regular basis may be difficult.
Regards,
Alan

Last edited by Alan 71; Mar 27, 2017 at 11:36 AM.
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Old Mar 27, 2017 | 11:36 AM
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Originally Posted by Youngvettehunter
This is my first corvette but I've been told they tend to overheat, so I figured I'd try to fix that problem before it happens
Wait a minute. You're broke, but you're going to spend this money to fix a problem when there's a good chance that it doesn't exist?
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Old Mar 27, 2017 | 11:44 AM
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Originally Posted by bashcraft
Wait a minute. You're broke, but you're going to spend this money to fix a problem when there's a good chance that it doesn't exist?
i dont wanna spend money on the old radiator if its gonna overheat then ill have to spend more money so it doesn't overheat
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Old Mar 27, 2017 | 11:49 AM
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Originally Posted by Youngvettehunter
i dont wanna spend money on the old radiator if its gonna overheat then ill have to spend more money so it doesn't overheat
How do you know it's going to overheat?

The stock small block radiator in my '69 has been cooling a zz502 for the last 8 years with zero problems.
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Old Mar 27, 2017 | 11:54 AM
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Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi yvh,
What parts of the cooling system do you presently have, (and what are they from?), and what do you need?
You haven't yet said what the radiator/fans are for…. will they be suitable for your car?
So far I don't have much confidence in your 'finds'…. the headers, the wheels, and now this $125 radiator/fans.
You could end up finding that you've assembled such a miss-matched group of parts to make this car that actually finishing it and getting it to a point that it's drivable on a regular basis may be difficult.
Regards,
Alan
i have a short water pump sbc 350 with a original small block radiator
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Old Mar 27, 2017 | 12:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Youngvettehunter
i have a short water pump sbc 350 with a original small block radiator

This probably is not in your budget but I have an HP (Black Ice) radiator that will fit a 68 SB with the 22.5" core. If you have the base support for the smaller rad/surge tank this won't work.

https://www.dewitts.com/collections/...eries-engine-1
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Old Mar 27, 2017 | 12:29 PM
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Hi yvh,
Do you know if the water pump is in working condition?
Is the radiator you have copper or aluminum? What are you using to determine the original application for the radiator?
Does it fit in the core-support?
Do you have the fan shroud for this core-support and this radiator?
Do you have a fan and fan clutch?
Regards,
Alan

Maybe the $125 radiator/fan will be perfect, and a good deal.
BUT, from the information you've given there's absolutely no way of knowing that.
At the going price of radiators and electric fans I'd be wary of one available for $125.
Have you checked to see if you'll be able to get hoses to fit the radiator in your application?

Last edited by Alan 71; Mar 27, 2017 at 12:30 PM.
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