I remember someone talking about a universl fit griffin that worked out nicely in a C-3. I have a '76 L-82 manual. Anyone know anything about this?

 

I installed a universal "Griffin" Radiator in my 68 and it was a perfect fit. The only difference was the angle that the hoses connect to the radiator. I use stainless steel radiator hoses - so that wasn't an issue... I used the 27.5x19 inch radiator.. For a 76 you might need the 31 x 19 universal radiator...

:cheers:

Olivier

 

this is apparently one of those few issues where the slight differences between one year and the next may be an issue. i have heard olivier and others with early c-3's where the universal was a perfect fit. i just installed the griffing universal that olivier mentioned in my '81. it was no where near a drop in replacement. several things had to be modified, several had to be discarded. it is in there and it does work but nobody will mistake it for an OEM. i would suggest you call specifically '75,'76,'77 owners as they will most likely have more specific information.

 

I would be interested in this as well.....I have a 77 and want to put in a newwer alum. The measurements seem to fit but like previously mentioned...i dont want a PITA!!!!

 

Thanks for the replies. So... anyone with a mid seventies install one of these?

 

I just recieved my "be Coo," for my 79. Unless you ant to do mod's, yo need year specific... Realize this.. :eek:

 

Ask Chris " The_Dude" he put in a Griffen Universal and Electric Fans. I have one and haven't intalled it yet. I think several others have installed this also. Chris put his in an '80 ,the '77 should be the same.

Another avenue is to get an Aluminum Radiator and the fans from a '98 or so Camaro/Firebird and istall it as a package. The Camaro radiator is 31X19 also. I think Gene "Mr Vette" has this package in his car . JIM :smash:

 

What's up Dude I just got done with this on my 76 here's some tips I think the stock rad is 31 or 32 inches (Iam just not exact sitting here now)griffin sells one the same size but summit sold me on the 27" I think the right correct size would have been better now to block the air flow on the sides but this is really coming around for me now.took it out yesterday and I never went over 180 plus I have plenty of working room under there now you should maybe go with the biggest electric fan you can get a Derale tornado is what I use and a better flowing water pump.So the only choice you have to make is the same size or what somebody sells you. This is really a nice upgrade bye the way you lose a little weight and really save some money.It's like$600 for a stock replacement rad and a electric fan really sounds different (It's a nice sound ) and your engine is'nt pulling a clutch fan (more power eeehah) If you need anything else let me know.Dale

 

A '76 huh? So, what needed to done if anything to get the radiator to fit or did it bolt right in? How did the fan attach?

 

When I took out my stock rad which was a lot bigger I had plenty of room for a 27' I went to home depot and got some what I call banding iron I put a long piece under the radiator 1' thick to hold the weight this went from each of the orginal mounts on the bottom (I used some foam strips on this).Then theres a hole up top of your rad support right in the middle I put a threaded rod there and then two more strips of 3/4' of banding iron going down to the thearded studs for your fan shroud on the same mounts I mentioned above ( you don't need a fan shroud with a electric fan)The strips of iron going down like this( ^ ) I know this might sound cheesey or cheap but I'am real picky about my car and it does look real nice I rounded the corners on the straps and painted a nice black (go heavy on the paint and primer for rust and water) plus with this setup I can pull my rad out in 5 min not 3 hours.For the fan mount theres plenty of mounting holes on my fan and I just drilled four holes in the new radiator ( be careful here) and used some threaded rod and some nuts with a spacer like 1/2 long the trick is to get the fan as close to the rad as possible with out pushing the mounting screws thru the radiator thats what the spacers are for I wish I could send a picture of this setup but I'am better at corvettes then I am with computers if you need any thing else E-mail me at carver59@aol.com

 

Hi SLO RDE I live in Antigua West Indies and I am restoring my 77 Vette and have to replace my Radiator I was thinking of the Summitt or the Griffin the 31x19 can you please send me some pictures on how you did your installation. I also have to replace my Radiator support as the bottom is rusted away. :(

 

Here's a link to my Griffen universal install, http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/mik...ans_in_car.jpg it is the 31x19 size in my 74. All I had to do was relocate the upper brackets slightly, & get different hoses to get it to work. Works great, fans don't even come on while on the highway ;) .

 

Smoked tires- How did you relocate the top brackets? Just drill some new holes and bolt on?

 

I am in the process of putting in the 29" griffin universal radiator and flex a lite electric fans in my 76. The radiator is not just a bolt in. The lower radiators mount could work if you offset the radiator slightly but the upper radiator mounts will not work. I am manufacturing new ones that bolt to existing shroud mounting bolts. The brackets mount both the radiator and the electric fans. It could be done easier by drilling on the radiator support but I really didn't want to do that so I made some new brackets, the angles are a bit tricky but not too bad. I have made a mock up bracket but it is ugly and tack welded so I am going to use it as a model to build a better looking one.

 

I see what you are saying Tom. Did you have a 31 inch radiator in there standard? Mind did and it seems that the 31 inch replacement may be closer. (I have an "early" model support BTW) I am just exploring options on this so your help is greatly appreciated.

 

:yesnod: Yup, I placed the radiator in the lower support brackets (outside the car) and pressed down on the radiator while holding the upper brackets & scratching the support with where I needed to drill for the new holes. I was able to use the old bolts too :) . You need to watch how close you get with the one near the cap so that you'll still be able to take it on & off ;) .

 

Hey SmokedTires, What fans did you use in your installation?

 

They're the 12" dual Flex-a-lites. I got them from Summit's. Perfect fit with the 31x19 rad :yesnod: . The Spals are suppose to be the best, but this radiator does such an excellent job that these fans do the job with no problem :)