Radiator Question
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Radiator Question
So I bought a 76 Corvette L-82, after driving the car about a week I notices the radiator was leaking from the right front of the car. I could not find the source of the leak so I removed the radiator and took it to a local shop. The shop (that I trust) told me the radiator was plugged and we could re-core the radiator or replace it. I elected to put in a new radiator, I bought a new radiator from Ekler. Well here we are 2 months later and it's now starting to leak again, I took the car to a mechanic for a pressure test. they called me today and said the radiator was leaking form the seams. and it would need a new radiator. my question is it just a bad radiator that I put in from ekler's. could something else be going on that would cause the radiator to leak ectt....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
After 2-3 months ... Not unless you filled with a caustic chemical ... Ekler should supply you w/ new rad asap & pay all freight ... no charge.
Have your mech sign off on a statement "new rad was leaking at seams"
-add-
our forum sponsor DeWitts rads will provide you with a top quality rad.
Have your mech sign off on a statement "new rad was leaking at seams"
-add-
our forum sponsor DeWitts rads will provide you with a top quality rad.
Last edited by jackson; May 20, 2020 at 02:05 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,624
Likes: 2,455
From: Indiana
please advise what radiator you got.. there are many...and other would like to know..
i went dewitts universal fit USA
also what antifreeze did you use?
to re-core mine was more $ and i kept it.
good luck
i went dewitts universal fit USA
also what antifreeze did you use?
to re-core mine was more $ and i kept it.
good luck
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
1973-1976 Corvette Radiator With Automatic Transmission And Air Conditioning Brass Replacement Small And Big Block
Part #: 25-103143-1
This was the descriptions from Eckler. I did replace the radiator cap at the same time and it was 15 lbs.
i used Preston anti freeze
it was going to be more to re-core mine also thats why I went with a new radiator.
So im going to be putting in another radiator, anything else I should be checking while doing so.... I just do not want another leak 2 months from now
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,624
Likes: 2,455
From: Indiana
well you said it was leaking at seams so there is no argument on where it is leaking right? I did have a issue at the cap/ overflow area leaking on mine as well ..
i would say while you are in there..i would seriously consider replacing seals if bad..they are critical to airflow..
any place to indicate country of manufacturer on that rad?
here is a my tale on a 79
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...nt-79-l82.html
note there is a sticky on top of this page with hundreds of rad alum stories
and how about a few pics of the car.. I love the 76 look back window
i would say while you are in there..i would seriously consider replacing seals if bad..they are critical to airflow..
any place to indicate country of manufacturer on that rad?
here is a my tale on a 79
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...nt-79-l82.html
note there is a sticky on top of this page with hundreds of rad alum stories
and how about a few pics of the car.. I love the 76 look back window
Last edited by interpon; May 20, 2020 at 03:50 PM.
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 45
Likes: 5
From: poughkeepsie ny
I had my core replaced by a local full service radiator shop . After about 8 years , I developed a pin hole leak in the tank near the return journal , not at a journal seam. Electrolysis. The radiator mounting bracket has a black wire grounding it to the frame. The radiator is insulated from the mount bracket . I had the hole soldered and a ground wire soldered the the radiator and I bolted this wire the radiator's mount bracket
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,311
Likes: 715
From: Marietta GA
I had the original radiator on my SB 73 start leaking somewhere on the bottom. Since it was original to the car had it repaired, and my Corvette Service Shop reinstalls. Of course a few months later the original water pump went. I purchased a new one and had them put it on. When I got the car back, I noticed a new leak, this time from the rubber tube going to the expansion tank. I installed a new pliers operated clamp and water still leaked where the hose attached to the radiator (under the cap neck). After way to much thinking, I put on a stainless steel hose clamp, and tightened it pretty good, no leaks. I am not sure why it was leaking, since there shouldn’t be that much pressure from the radiator? I assumed that the factory used the spring clips since there isn’t any pressure to the expansion tank. I hope this helps.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,624
Likes: 2,455
From: Indiana
I had the original radiator on my SB 73 start leaking somewhere on the bottom. Since it was original to the car had it repaired, and my Corvette Service Shop reinstalls. Of course a few months later the original water pump went. I purchased a new one and had them put it on. When I got the car back, I noticed a new leak, this time from the rubber tube going to the expansion tank. I installed a new pliers operated clamp and water still leaked where the hose attached to the radiator (under the cap neck). After way to much thinking, I put on a stainless steel hose clamp, and tightened it pretty good, no leaks. I am not sure why it was leaking, since there shouldn’t be that much pressure from the radiator? I assumed that the factory used the spring clips since there isn’t any pressure to the expansion tank. I hope this helps.