Need a new radiator - help!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 877
Likes: 59
From: Minneapolis, MN USA
Need a new radiator - help!
Hi all,
I pulled my radiator (1970 350/350, no A/C, manual transmission) as part of pulling the motor for rebuild. I took it to a radiator shop to have them check it out and they found many pin holes and said it's really not salvageable. So I need some advice on where/what to buy a new one. I would like it to be very close to original. I will never have the car judged, but it is a numbers matching car. While I'm doing some small mods/upgrades during the rebuild, I'm not going crazy with it. So I would like a radiator that is very close to original, or if there is something that is slightly better? But I'm not wanting to have to do modifications to the car to get it to fit, etc. Make sense? Any recommendations would be appreciated!
I pulled my radiator (1970 350/350, no A/C, manual transmission) as part of pulling the motor for rebuild. I took it to a radiator shop to have them check it out and they found many pin holes and said it's really not salvageable. So I need some advice on where/what to buy a new one. I would like it to be very close to original. I will never have the car judged, but it is a numbers matching car. While I'm doing some small mods/upgrades during the rebuild, I'm not going crazy with it. So I would like a radiator that is very close to original, or if there is something that is slightly better? But I'm not wanting to have to do modifications to the car to get it to fit, etc. Make sense? Any recommendations would be appreciated!
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,751
Likes: 719
From: Lafayette Louisiana
DeWitts
Hi all,
I pulled my radiator (1970 350/350, no A/C, manual transmission) as part of pulling the motor for rebuild. I took it to a radiator shop to have them check it out and they found many pin holes and said it's really not salvageable. So I need some advice on where/what to buy a new one. I would like it to be very close to original. I will never have the car judged, but it is a numbers matching car. While I'm doing some small mods/upgrades during the rebuild, I'm not going crazy with it. So I would like a radiator that is very close to original, or if there is something that is slightly better? But I'm not wanting to have to do modifications to the car to get it to fit, etc. Make sense? Any recommendations would be appreciated!
I pulled my radiator (1970 350/350, no A/C, manual transmission) as part of pulling the motor for rebuild. I took it to a radiator shop to have them check it out and they found many pin holes and said it's really not salvageable. So I need some advice on where/what to buy a new one. I would like it to be very close to original. I will never have the car judged, but it is a numbers matching car. While I'm doing some small mods/upgrades during the rebuild, I'm not going crazy with it. So I would like a radiator that is very close to original, or if there is something that is slightly better? But I'm not wanting to have to do modifications to the car to get it to fit, etc. Make sense? Any recommendations would be appreciated!
DeWitts is the way to go. And your timing is impeccable, great sale today!
A little more but very well worth it!
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...year-sale.html
Last edited by 20mercury; Feb 29, 2020 at 12:55 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 877
Likes: 59
From: Minneapolis, MN USA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
OP
Since you're Not gonna have it judged; suggest shop for quality, good fit and adequate capacity First ... appearance Last.
Seems you're rebuilding a motor ... have you already addressed how you're going to preserve your block stamping IF decking is required ?
Since you're Not gonna have it judged; suggest shop for quality, good fit and adequate capacity First ... appearance Last.
Seems you're rebuilding a motor ... have you already addressed how you're going to preserve your block stamping IF decking is required ?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 877
Likes: 59
From: Minneapolis, MN USA
Yes, I address the block stampings with the motor rebuilder!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,223
Likes: 666
From: Northeast
According to this article, if you believe Richard Prince, semi gloss to gloss black for either copper or aluminum: https://books.google.com/books?id=oD...ration&f=false
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 45
Likes: 5
From: poughkeepsie ny
Ever wonder where all those micro holes came from ? Look on the drive's side of the radiator frame, outward facing, and see a ground [black] wire . The radiator is not grounded to the auto's frame. [check continuity radiator to chassis ] . I added a ground wire, radiator hold brace to existing ground, after pin hole became a pressure backed leak
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,268
Likes: 374
From: Randolph nj
Tom I like your products but if someone can save some money and retain some what of a original look I would re-core ,, to each there own ,, I took that price from your website after i punched in the info not from corvette forums
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,734
Likes: 299
From: Way too effing close to the city.......NRA Life Member!
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I went with the DeWitts exact fit in my '76 and love it. I left mine natural aluminum finish.
Last edited by OLE442; Mar 1, 2020 at 09:23 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,649
Likes: 2,466
From: Indiana
They wanted 500 for my recore and only one place around me would even attempt it..
dewitts universal fit 2 one inch core solid with ac and 90 plus day..shipped was less..left aluminum color, can hardly see it buried under all shrouding and foam!
i did save my old radiator though..never know..USA made too if that matters
dewitts universal fit 2 one inch core solid with ac and 90 plus day..shipped was less..left aluminum color, can hardly see it buried under all shrouding and foam!
i did save my old radiator though..never know..USA made too if that matters
Last edited by interpon; Mar 1, 2020 at 09:32 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,930
Likes: 4,497
From: Virginia
Dewitts contracts for Zip to make high quality radiators that fit, but may not be perfect for judging. They are $400- each, vs ~$700.
https://www.zip-corvette.com/instant...a-232%20ra-233
https://www.zip-corvette.com/instant...a-232%20ra-233
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,649
Likes: 2,466
From: Indiana
see my post 143
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-topics-8.html
its a sticky thread..
mine was two core one inch..had an issue and tom d responded fast even though bought zip..399 bucks like mentioned
but op needs to see what fits his..comes set for auto but i have manual
edit...sorry my name is tom too..i know you meant tom d
here is my 79 install
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...nt-79-l82.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-topics-8.html
its a sticky thread..
mine was two core one inch..had an issue and tom d responded fast even though bought zip..399 bucks like mentioned
but op needs to see what fits his..comes set for auto but i have manual
edit...sorry my name is tom too..i know you meant tom d
here is my 79 install
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...nt-79-l82.html
Last edited by interpon; Mar 1, 2020 at 10:04 AM.