lsintampa

I had to replace the radiator support on my 75 because it was really rusted bad. Taking out the radiator and shroud to get the support out was a royal pain - the first time.

Took the radiator and had it repaired - my bad. I have a new leak and there is no way I'm going to repair the original again.

During reassembly the hard part (for me) was replacing the bottom radiator hose.

So round two begins. Since I'm going to be replacing the radiator, I was wondering what "aftermarket" would be the best "fit" for my 75?

BTW - I also added Vintage Air when I replace the support, so I'm hoping the front A/C condenser will hang in there so I don't need to evac the A/C system. The Vintage system is COLD COLD COLD.

Thanks for any leads on the radiator.

sambrand

i had too many beers while replacing all my rad hoses and crushed the intake nipple on my oem rad (81) i bought a aluminum rad from champion auto (o'rieleys) and it dropped right in and worked perfectly, i did use the old rad hose cut into strips to line the bottom as a cushion becaue the oem seals were disintegrating and i didn't want to go back to the parts store. but i would def get the seals if oem or ncrs is a consideration.

also i did not have to change anything other then rad and rad lines. the replacement dropped tight in and i didn't have to remove the hood, however get an assistant to help u pull and place the rad as its almsot impossible to work around the hood and get the rad to remove and reinstall evenly

7T1vette

You want to order a radiator that would be for a 1975 car with A/C, so that it has enough capacity for your engine, A/C (and auto trans, if that's what you have). If you go with Champion, you will need a 3 or 4 row radiator (rather than a 2-row for a non-air car).

OldCarBum

Dewitts is a favorite here on the forum and my research shows they are top quality and a direct fit for a C3.
Griffin also makes a top quality radiator for our C3's and I've heard nothing but good reviews from racers and hot rod guys.
Both are available with electric fan set ups and shrouds and can be used with the OEM fan set up.
Both are a bit pricey but if you don't want to do this again soon, stick with quality.

Red86Z51

derekderek

there is a sort-of cut out on the right side of the rad support the 2 hoses go to the AC condenser. indent not cut out. so you can lift rad support up and down with connected hoses riding along.

lsintampa

Was able to get the radiator out without removing condenser from the A/C. Thanks!

So looking at champion, dewitts, and griffin as replacements, which is the best fit? It's hard enough to get the thing in or out, and the last thing I want is to make it more complicated than it is by needing to make modifications.

ALSO, has anyone mounted the radiator to the support and put them both in together????

Seems silly, but it may be easier to do???

Red86Z51

The DeWitt's is a direct replacement "drop in" radiator that fits perfectly. No finagling required. I speak from experience having been there, done that on my early 1976...which is exactly the same radiator as yours. Done once and done for good!!

dan1495

Torqued Off

Dewitts radiators are works of art. I would have no other.

REELAV8R

0Tom@Dewitt

Thank you guys!

terrys6t8roadster

Mount the radiator support then the radiator. I proudly display the Dewitts sticker on top of my radiator. T

TedH

I damaged the lower inlet back in 2013 and bent it so it was leaking. $100 repair this spring included a pressure test. Nobody wants to recore radiators anymore with all of the EPA crap. Those acid tanks have all been drained locally save for one shop.

I found having the shroud in place really helped slide the radiator in. I lowered it in with the passenger side down a bit to clear the A-arm. Big lesson was the lower hose at radiator... I royally scraped my left wrist on the trans line clamps. Big lesson was to do the trans lines last. I just had to loosen the shroud so it was AWAY from the radiator at base (gave some wrench clearance). It is all a tight fit in there. I reused the seals I had installed from Dr Rebuild. I'm not an NCRS rebuild but his product is top shelf quality/durability.

Interesting, I bought a replacement and did not realize it was one of the aluminum/plastic jobs. It is sitting in its box on a shelf in my garage in event the brass/copper radiator I am running now finally gives up and I can't have re-cored.

forman

I put the support ,,radiator and lower hose on all in one shot ,, hate to say it but it was kinda easy