How will this radiator do?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 388
Likes: 117
From: Tacoma, Wa
How will this radiator do?
https://www.championradiators.com/Ch...-row-1977-1982
Turns out I have a leaky radiator. I'm going on a camping trip in a couple weeks and need a replacement before a 2 hr drive in 85* weather.
I have a moderately built L48. Iron heads. I don't feel like I need a 4 row radiator and I don't trust the fitment of cheap ones from parts stores. I am looking for a good value, and this one seems to take the cake. Thoughts?
Turns out I have a leaky radiator. I'm going on a camping trip in a couple weeks and need a replacement before a 2 hr drive in 85* weather.
I have a moderately built L48. Iron heads. I don't feel like I need a 4 row radiator and I don't trust the fitment of cheap ones from parts stores. I am looking for a good value, and this one seems to take the cake. Thoughts?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 881
Likes: 113
https://www.championradiators.com/Ch...-row-1977-1982
Turns out I have a leaky radiator. I'm going on a camping trip in a couple weeks and need a replacement before a 2 hr drive in 85* weather.
I have a moderately built L48. Iron heads. I don't feel like I need a 4 row radiator and I don't trust the fitment of cheap ones from parts stores. I am looking for a good value, and this one seems to take the cake. Thoughts?
Turns out I have a leaky radiator. I'm going on a camping trip in a couple weeks and need a replacement before a 2 hr drive in 85* weather.
I have a moderately built L48. Iron heads. I don't feel like I need a 4 row radiator and I don't trust the fitment of cheap ones from parts stores. I am looking for a good value, and this one seems to take the cake. Thoughts?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 388
Likes: 117
From: Tacoma, Wa
guess we’ll find out. There are plenty of adapter kits i can give a try if it is not exact. My hoses look like they are 1.5 inch. Rad i bought is 1.3 and 1.5
Last edited by Cmurray79; Jul 7, 2020 at 10:47 AM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,000
Likes: 283
From: New York
So I know people have them and there is a whole big thread but I had crap experience with champion. Fit is eh and it didn't cool my motor worth a damn. Everything is new in my car I was chasing overheating issues. Tried everything under the twice. Had enough spent the $$ on a Dewitt which I have in my C5. Cooling problems gone. Rad fits like a glove it falls in the car. You get what you pay for. Just my .02 again I know many others on here will say otherwise or tell me I'm wrong.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 881
Likes: 113
I've owned only older C3s; dunno, perhaps the newer C3s' hoses have smaller IDs. Perhaps you're golden; hope so.
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
I have installed one on a 76'.......it went in ok and the outlets were pointed in the right direction but the tanks on the rad are square and do not come close to fitting in the stock rubber mounting pads.....I had to make my own spacers to make it work. Not sure why they don't have some kind of kit for this because it would be this way on ALL Champion rads put in a Vette.......people here bitch about the fit but this is never specifically mentioned (No I have not read the Champion thread)........
Jebby
Jebby
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,229
Likes: 39
From: Beautiful East Texas
I have installed one on a 76'.......it went in ok and the outlets were pointed in the right direction but the tanks on the rad are square and do not come close to fitting in the stock rubber mounting pads.....I had to make my own spacers to make it work. Not sure why they don't have some kind of kit for this because it would be this way on ALL Champion rads put in a Vette.......people here bitch about the fit but this is never specifically mentioned (No I have not read the Champion thread)........
Jebby
Jebby
Made some shims to help support it better but still not entirely happy with the end result.
mardyn
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 388
Likes: 117
From: Tacoma, Wa
I have installed one on a 76'.......it went in ok and the outlets were pointed in the right direction but the tanks on the rad are square and do not come close to fitting in the stock rubber mounting pads.....I had to make my own spacers to make it work. Not sure why they don't have some kind of kit for this because it would be this way on ALL Champion rads put in a Vette.......people here bitch about the fit but this is never specifically mentioned (No I have not read the Champion thread)........
Jebby
Jebby
interesting. Sounds like i have some fabricating to do. I’ll keep this post updated
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 388
Likes: 117
From: Tacoma, Wa
Well she lasted a little over a year. I just pulled the radiator and it is leaking from the bottom of the driver side tank. Just gonna weld it and see if that fixes it. If not i’ll be giving Champion a call.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,658
Likes: 2,470
From: Indiana
that sucks..be good th hear update on response.. check the weights of radiators too
Last edited by interpon; Jul 20, 2021 at 05:06 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 388
Likes: 117
From: Tacoma, Wa
[QUOTE=interpon;1603757443]that sucks..be good th hear update on response.. check the weights of radiators too[/QUOTE
found that its leaking from another spot too. So i’ll be calling them. Disappointed. Maybe aluminum isnt the way to go for a daily driver. I talked to my buddy and he said the way most cheaper aluminum rads are made causes them to become weaker with every heat cycle. Might go brass 3 row.
found that its leaking from another spot too. So i’ll be calling them. Disappointed. Maybe aluminum isnt the way to go for a daily driver. I talked to my buddy and he said the way most cheaper aluminum rads are made causes them to become weaker with every heat cycle. Might go brass 3 row.
Last edited by Cmurray79; Jul 20, 2021 at 05:18 PM.