Aluminum radiator

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Nov 18, 2004 | 04:45 AM

77 vette

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 439

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From: Mukilteo Washington

Aluminum radiator

I can find universal type radiators that will fit my 77 but the lower hose tube on these radiator measure 1 3/4", I have a 1 1/2" lower hose, is there a hose that will adapt this?

Nov 18, 2004 | 06:10 AM

ICEMAN59

Drifting

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 1,360

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From: COVINGTON LA

Yes Jegs sell rad hose kits in stainless that fit from 1 1/4" to 1 7/8" I used them on my rad and it fit both upper and lower which are two differnt sizes. They come in various lengths.

Nov 18, 2004 | 09:33 AM

lvrpool32

Safety Car

Joined: Jan 2001

Posts: 3,637

Likes: 27

From: Norwalk Ct

If you go to autozone or pep boys look for the "help" stand...there is a kit that converts radiator hoses to different sizes, think it was like $3. I used it when I bought my reverse rotation water pump for my serpentine kit. Worked very well.

Nick

Nov 18, 2004 | 02:30 PM

exdrag77

Instructor

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 235

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From: Mansfield Ohio

My radiator is on borrowed time. A link or info on that universal radiator? E-mail me if you prefer. Thanks!

Nov 18, 2004 | 04:37 PM

markdtn

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 7,720

Likes: 12

From: Chattanooga TN

Go to the auto parts store and look at the hose catalog and find one for any small block chevy that has the diameters you need. Find one that has the approximate bends and you should be ready.

Nov 18, 2004 | 04:47 PM

crf311

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 3,029

Likes: 94

From: meraux LA

I just put a alum rad in from ecklers. worked great.

Nov 18, 2004 | 06:14 PM

R. Bruno

Drifting

Joined: Feb 2001

Posts: 1,603

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From: San Francisco, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by exdrag77

My radiator is on borrowed time. A link or info on that universal radiator? E-mail me if you prefer. Thanks!

The Universal Griffin is available at Summit (I think it is 19x 31 inches) It fit my '76 almost perfectly. The only mods were relocation of the upper brackets and different upper hose. The upper hose geometry changes because the water neck is straight rather than curved. So, you will need a different upper hose and the hose will now interfere with the stock fan. I went to electric fans at the same time.
Bottom line, this mod will not work (at least on my car) without a simultaneous conversion to electric fans, which is a good thing by the way, but costs $$