Need your advice for radiator replacement
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 581
Likes: 0
From: Southeast WI
Need your advice for radiator replacement
I need to replace the radiator on a 427 BB. Looked around the Web and found that DeWitts offers aluminum radiators which claim to have better cooling capability than the original stock radiators.
Have any of you used radiators from DeWitts? Is the aluminum version a gimmick or is it truly a superior radiator? Do you suggest any other brands? Your advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Have any of you used radiators from DeWitts? Is the aluminum version a gimmick or is it truly a superior radiator? Do you suggest any other brands? Your advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 16
From: Fl
I just bought from Tom DeWitt - aluminum direct fit ofr my 72'
temp came down 20-30 degrees
i can drive with AC all day long
car sits on 180 trafic or HWY ..
easiest fitting replacement radiator I have ever installed ....
I also ....
replaced lower and upper hoses.
checjed water pump
(both are easy when radiator is out)
Bill
temp came down 20-30 degrees
i can drive with AC all day long
car sits on 180 trafic or HWY ..
easiest fitting replacement radiator I have ever installed ....
I also ....
replaced lower and upper hoses.
checjed water pump
(both are easy when radiator is out)
Bill
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 816
Likes: 1
From: Finland
This summer I had a leak(s) in my original radiator. First planned to upgrade to aluminium but at the end just brought the old to a radiator repair shop and they repaired it, tested it, cleaned fully insideout and repainted it for ~40 bucks. And i have had no problems with overheating even though the engine is tuned quite a bit. So it is a matter of taste also...what do you really want 
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,930
Likes: 156
From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
I used DeWitt's aluminum and dual spal's. Worked great at cooling my SB, hope it does the same with my BB. Saved weight too. Easy swap and instructions, even for me. 
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
From: Evans GA
What I don't understand is why the dual fan has what appears to be a shroud built into it, but it doesn't cover the whole surface area of the radiator. For as much as they charge for the dual fan combo you would think they would sell one that actually fits the radiator.
Last edited by djunod; Sep 22, 2004 at 08:34 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I have the DeWitts aluminum radiator on mine also. A direct drop in. No fussing with generic hoses. My car runs right on the thermostat which is 180. In traffic it wil get 200 and the fans will cool it back to 180. I am very pleased with mine.
You can see a couple of pics of my radiator in this tech article I wrote.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...=252&TopicID=3
You can see a couple of pics of my radiator in this tech article I wrote.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...=252&TopicID=3
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 816
Likes: 1
From: Finland
Originally Posted by Tele_Man
I'm an intermediate level mechanic with limited tools and garage space. How difficult is it to replace the radiator myself? Is there anyplace on the Web that explains the procedure?
I found the haynes instruction to be uncorrect and not that usefull - but it was the only thing i had to start with - but in general it is not that complicated if you just patiently do it and reserve time enough for it...
Racer
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
From: Evans GA
My '73 has a tilt front-end that came completely off, and still it was a bear of a job. Yes, getting the fan shroud off was one of the most difficult tasks... the next most difficult task for me was getting the automatic transmission cooling lines off (very hard to get to).
Putting it back together I didn't put the fan shroud back on, as I installed a dual electric fan with shroud built into it.
Putting it back together I didn't put the fan shroud back on, as I installed a dual electric fan with shroud built into it.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 581
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From: Southeast WI
My car has manual transmission, so maybe the task will be a little easier.
I spent a many hours this summer gutting the interior and replacing all the carpeting and center console stuff. I guess maybe I can prepare myself mentally for another major project.
I spent a many hours this summer gutting the interior and replacing all the carpeting and center console stuff. I guess maybe I can prepare myself mentally for another major project.
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,930
Likes: 156
From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
I've replaced radiators in a '78 Bonneville, 91 Mustang and two Suburban's. The radiator in my '70 4sp was by far the easiest. The most difficult was getting the old one out and the new one in with little damage. Other than that, you just re-connect everything. 
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
If you are using the orig fan shroud then a direct fit would prolly be best. I bought a summit brand 2 row alum rad and a set of flex-a-lite twin elec fans, total cost was under $400 and works fine. If you have bb and a/c you might want to get the dual spal fans, supposed to be the best.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 581
Likes: 0
From: Southeast WI
I have a fan shroud, but not A/C. Perhaps without automatic transmission or A/C, this might not be such a difficult job.
I had a new fan shroud and a five-blade fan installed at the same time a couple of years ago.
Hey, should I also replace the water pump while I have everything torn apart?
I had a new fan shroud and a five-blade fan installed at the same time a couple of years ago.
Hey, should I also replace the water pump while I have everything torn apart?
