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My resto of my 74 c3 is well underway. I need a radiator and my question is where to find a good quality radiator with the auto trans cooler lines? Local good ole bys say just put a regular radiator and add a trans line cooler but I want to keep it stock? Any options out there?
There are options like fixing your old radiator before automatically replacing it. Many of us here on the Forum are using Aluminum Radiators and like the way they work. The problem is that the replacements vary so much in quality and in price.
Manny people here love their Dewitt radiators but they pay a dear price for the pleasure. I have a BeCool Aluminum radiator and it has lasted a long time and worked very well. Cold Case makes nice radiators for engines that run hot as they hold several times the volume of coolant of a normal radiator's tubes.
I would look around and see what fits your budget and will work in your C3. There are no problems in finding a radiator for an automatic transmission powered vehicle, even a Corvette!
The nice thing about Aluminum radiators, is the fins are louvered, which really helps transfer the heat away from the coolant. At least that's what my aluminum rad was like on my other car.
Have a close look at the fins when your shopping.
These C3s are not exactly rat-rods that will accept any-ole radiator.
There are six ports that must be in the correct location, or it will never work right:
Upper, lower hose, rad cap, 2 trans lines & drain.
Hop on the internet and search for a radiator repair shop in your area. They will remove top & bottom, acid dip, rinse, braze any problem areas and paint for a fraction of a new one.
Even if you have to drive 100 miles it still should be cheaper than $900.
Best part is, you will know the old one fits just perfect.
I would recommend getting the original radiator re-cored or re-tanked ,what ever it needs by a radiator shop. At least you will know the brackets and transmission/coolant lines will fit. What can happen with some a/m radiators is that you may need an adapter for the transmission lines because the tread pitch or size is metric. I have ran into radiator hoses not fitting properly with a/m cooling components also.
Where can you find a shop that will do a re-core these days???
Champion radiators are good quality units that are still affordable. You cannot find the unit you need by merely indicating it is for a Corvette with auto transmission. You will need to measure up the length, height, and thickness that matches your car's dimensional features. Also make sure radiator in/out fittings and drain outlet are in the same locations. The trans cooler tank must be on the correct side. You can deal with minor differences in fitting sizes with different hoses or adapters, as required.
But, some diligent measuring and searching on the web can net you several hundreds in saving$$$, if that matters to you. If not, the DeWitt's is a direct replacement.
The thing with aluminium radiators is, you can spray paint them black. And once you have everything back together, shroud back on, etc.
Almost no one will notice it's not original.
I run a Champion brand radiator. I don't care if it looks original or not. I care that my car doesn't overheat.
I'm very happy with my Champion radiator.
Use google to find a radiator repair shop, one that actually rebuilds radiators. Trucks and special
construction equipment use specific radiators and obviously the neighborhood parts stores don’t sell those types. You can also call a large grading or trucking company to learn the name of a shop they use. I had the leak repaired on my 73 and it was $125, with me taking the radiator to them, so that’s a lot cheaper than a new one.
I bought an DeWitt aluminum replacement from Zip and it fit perfectly and once painted black, couldn't tell difference. Not saying it would pass NCRS though as I don't know.
These C3s are not exactly rat-rods that will accept any-ole radiator.
There are six ports that must be in the correct location, or it will never work right:
Upper, lower hose, rad cap, 2 trans lines & drain.
Hop on the internet and search for a radiator repair shop in your area. They will remove top & bottom, acid dip, rinse, braze any problem areas and paint for a fraction of a new one.
Even if you have to drive 100 miles it still should be cheaper than $900.
Best part is, you will know the old one fits just perfect.
This is good advice, but I would add one thing; witness the pressure test before acceptance. A pressure test is normally done but not witnessed by the customer. The shop might have a hissy fit, but you will be assured that it left the shop in perfect condition. Test pressure should be 1.5X working pressure with no drop in pressure for at least 1hr. Who wants to install a radiator and later find out it leaks and then you have to start all over. Ask me how I know.
not sure how original you need to be.. but with marginal cooling when new, i would go aluminum for higher performance especially if upgrading engine for future.
you do not want to have to rip it in and out in near future.
store the original in rafters if you like.
i agree with painting black, i regret not doing that.. maybe in future..it kinda sticks out. mine was a Dewitts universal fit for a 79 from zip, at that time 400 bucks a few years ago..
That’s why I upgraded to 3 core when they did mine especially with a big block.. my car has never overheated once I’m happy I spent the 400 the problem is finding a good radiator guy there few and far between now
If you paint the aluminum radiator black, use "radiator black" paint....not standard Krylon or Dupli-Color. Radiator black is very thin so that it won't inhibit heat transfer much. Paint is an 'insulator' of sorts.
Radiator repair or replacement
