1974 radiator fix or new
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: vernon ny
1974 radiator fix or new
Hi,
Just rebuilt my engine. I was told the radiator needed work. White stuff on it?
Never leaked. Should I get this one refurbished or get a new one. Is there such thing as an orignal or numbered radiator for this car?
Thanks Tom
Just rebuilt my engine. I was told the radiator needed work. White stuff on it?
Never leaked. Should I get this one refurbished or get a new one. Is there such thing as an orignal or numbered radiator for this car?
Thanks Tom
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,050
Likes: 124
From: Wichita KS
Re: 1974 radiator fix or new (bren)
Hi,
Just rebuilt my engine. I was told the radiator needed work. White stuff on it?
Never leaked. Should I get this one refurbished or get a new one. Is there such thing as an orignal or numbered radiator for this car?
Thanks Tom
Just rebuilt my engine. I was told the radiator needed work. White stuff on it?
Never leaked. Should I get this one refurbished or get a new one. Is there such thing as an orignal or numbered radiator for this car?
Thanks Tom
Depending on how you are going to use your car (NCRS/Daily Driver) you have several choices. DeWitts is a Forum sponsor. I am using a new copper/brass Modine that was relatively inexpensive, as my car does not have a high HP engine. If your engine has higher HP, the aluminum (DeWitts) is more the way to go.
Search the archives as well for radiator threads.
[Modified by mapman, 6:30 PM 1/8/2004]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
Re: 1974 radiator fix or new (bren)
I purchased a new radiator from GM for my 1973 in 1991. Last year I began a frame off on it and discovered that the fins on my radiator were deteriorated so badly that an air hose was all it took to blow them away. The inside of the radiator was like new and there were no leaks. But it just didn't look good enough to put back in.
I checked around for a new original radiator and found there are lots of inexpensive replacements available, but not really original. DeWitt has some great replacement radiators, but doesn't offer an exact replacement for the 1973. They will, if they have time recondition your radiator for you, or they will sell you a brand new core. I was in a bit of a time crunch so I purchased one of their cores (it looked fabulous) and had my local rediator repair shop use my tanks. It looks like a new original and ended up being less expensive than one of the cheaper replacements offered by most of the vendors.
I would agree, if cost and originality is not an issue the aluminum ones offered by DeWitt, offer the best value for your money. They are also reputed to lower cooling temperatures by a significant amount.
GUSTO
I checked around for a new original radiator and found there are lots of inexpensive replacements available, but not really original. DeWitt has some great replacement radiators, but doesn't offer an exact replacement for the 1973. They will, if they have time recondition your radiator for you, or they will sell you a brand new core. I was in a bit of a time crunch so I purchased one of their cores (it looked fabulous) and had my local rediator repair shop use my tanks. It looks like a new original and ended up being less expensive than one of the cheaper replacements offered by most of the vendors.
I would agree, if cost and originality is not an issue the aluminum ones offered by DeWitt, offer the best value for your money. They are also reputed to lower cooling temperatures by a significant amount.
GUSTO
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Re: 1974 radiator fix or new (bren)
I just had mine recored for about $200. All the copper is new just the end caps are cleaned and re-soldered on then pressure tested. Replacement was a 4-core heavy duty radiator core. Any radiator shop can do this. :D
