Griffin Radiators Are You Using One?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Griffin Radiators Are You Using One?
I am looking at getting one for my vette to hopefully take care of some heating problems that crop up once driving down the road. I am looking for some input on this as I will have to do something pretty quick and I would love to have this done. They offer several versions so if you have one let me know what you are using and what it took to get it installed.
Thanks for any help you guys can be.
Thanks for any help you guys can be.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,844
Likes: 99
From: Orrtanna Pa.
Re: Griffin Radiators Are You Using One? (Eddie 70)
I got the 31x19 universal to cool the 406. Stock could not keep up after 20-30 minutes of drive time.I had to do some "Bubba engineering" to mount it,but it looks fine to me.The stock radiator crept up to 220+ degrees,but now I run 190 at the worst.Most of this winter the temps never broke 140 degrees which wasn't fun for me trying to keep warm.Pics are on my website.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 7,032
Likes: 2
From: Newburgh NY
Re: Griffin Radiators Are You Using One? (The Money Pit)
Griffin here. Bolt in affair on my 78 with Automatic. Everything lined up perfectly. Was overheating and leaking before. Now runs about 190-200 on a hot sunny day, even with the A/C on.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,092
Likes: 0
From: LIC NY USA
Re: Griffin Radiators Are You Using One? (Eddie 70)
i got the summit /northern radiator.same price as griffin,but everything is welded not glued.no problems sofar,except finding the right hoses is difficult. :cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 852
Likes: 0
From: Katy TX
Re: Griffin Radiators Are You Using One? (Eddie 70)
I got what was listed as a Griffen direct fit for my '79. Paid more than the universal fit folks. I has the trans cooler as well. All I had to do was buy the HD rubber bumpers for mounting to the rad support and it went right in. hoses and all fit right. It was a zero pain install and works like a charm with my modded motor in 90+ degree heat. Have not seen the temp over 180 since the install (I guess I can start thinking about more HP now. :) )
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 3
From: SF East Bay CA
Re: Griffin Radiators Are You Using One? (Eddie 70)
I actually used a BE COOL radiator and I swear by it.. Also upgraded to twin electrics... The second best thing I have done.. except the tranny conversion :smash:
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Griffin Radiators Are You Using One? (SmokedTires)
I also used the universal 31 x 19. I did find a upper rad hose that fit perfectly from a parts store but my alternator is on the passengers side. For a lower hose I had used a stock lower hose but cut it in 2 pieces and installed a stainless 1 1/2 elbow that I fabricated. Looks stock but the elbow is needed.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Re: Griffin Radiators Are You Using One? (norvalwilhelm)
Keep the replies coming. This is what I need to hear. I have the base car so the radiator is the smallest radiator the C3s have. But I am not afraid to modify my radiator support.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,373
Likes: 1,065
From: Virginia USA
Re: Griffin Radiators Are You Using One? (Eddie 70)
I have the direct Aluminum replacement Griffin for my 71 SB. It is more expensive than the universal but I didn't feel like doing the "Bubba" mods to get a universal to fit. It was an exact fit and my temps remain in the 180-200 range on the hottest day sitting in traffic.
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,430
Likes: 92
From: Press "2" for English
Re: Griffin Radiators Are You Using One? (The Money Pit)
I got the 31x19 universal to cool the 406. Stock could not keep up after 20-30 minutes of drive time.I had to do some "Bubba engineering" to mount it,but it looks fine to me.
my biggest problem though has been the fit of my flex-a-lite fans. they fit perfectly in the old core, right up to the tanks on both sides. this one has bigger tanks so there's about 1/2" of overlap that causes the fans to sit off somewhat. the radiator also didn't sit centered in the cradles. something else i just have to re-engineer later.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Re: Griffin Radiators Are You Using One? (clutchdust)
I got the 31x19 universal to cool the 406. Stock could not keep up after 20-30 minutes of drive time.I had to do some "Bubba engineering" to mount it,but it looks fine to me. :withstupid: i have met bubba and i am him.
my biggest problem though has been the fit of my flex-a-lite fans. they fit perfectly in the old core, right up to the tanks on both sides. this one has bigger tanks so there's about 1/2" of overlap that causes the fans to sit off somewhat. the radiator also didn't sit centered in the cradles. something else i just have to re-engineer later.
my biggest problem though has been the fit of my flex-a-lite fans. they fit perfectly in the old core, right up to the tanks on both sides. this one has bigger tanks so there's about 1/2" of overlap that causes the fans to sit off somewhat. the radiator also didn't sit centered in the cradles. something else i just have to re-engineer later.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,373
Likes: 1,065
From: Virginia USA
Re: Griffin Radiators Are You Using One? (clutchdust)
i have met bubba and i am him.
I IS Bubba and I slept with my sissy. :lol: :lol: :lol:
[Modified by theandies, 9:03 PM 3/31/2003]
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,943
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From: Florham Park NJ Port Credit Ontario
Re: Griffin Radiators Are You Using One? (shamby)
I'm using the NASCAR 31x19 on my slightly modded 350SB in my 74 W/ TH400. I am using an external tranny cooler(bigger is better). My engine temps stay around 190deg. My decision was based on forum members advice and the cost of the rad.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Griffin Radiators Are You Using One? (shamby)
Does the Griffin have the hookups for an Automatic?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,484
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From: Northampton Ma
Re: Griffin Radiators Are You Using One? (timbo79)
I actually used a BE COOL radiator
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Re: Griffin Radiators Are You Using One? (java0881)
i got the summit /northern radiator.same price as griffin,but everything is welded not glued.no problems sofar,except finding the right hoses is difficult. :cheers:
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/xq/asp...qx/product.htm
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Re: Griffin Radiators Are You Using One? (jackson)
I called Tom Dewitt and we talked for a while and I learned a few things. The radiator in my car is aluminum already and it is the original one. 33 years on one radiator is pretty darn good don`t you think. So I decided to just order one from Tom that is like what I have, this should do the job nicely without having to do any modifications to anything. Thanks for all the replies guys. :cool: