Get a Dewitts.
Radiator cracked open! Help!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Shreveport Louisiana
Radiator cracked open! Help!
1991 auto coupe.
I was headed home from work tonight, just about to get onto the interstate, when I hear and smell coolant spraying from under the hood. I managed to get it to the next exit without hitting the red line and shut it off at a gas station.
I checked it out, and it seems to be leaking, from the driver side under the cowling. Looked to be between the plastic side tank and metal fins.
I flushed it out about a week ago and have had cooler temps.
Anyone have an explanation for why it may have gave up and broke?
I was headed home from work tonight, just about to get onto the interstate, when I hear and smell coolant spraying from under the hood. I managed to get it to the next exit without hitting the red line and shut it off at a gas station.
I checked it out, and it seems to be leaking, from the driver side under the cowling. Looked to be between the plastic side tank and metal fins.
I flushed it out about a week ago and have had cooler temps.
Anyone have an explanation for why it may have gave up and broke?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
A) 20 yrs old
B) Use of caustic (acidic) flush to clean out?
C) Pulled top hose loose and wiggled neck hard enough to weaken welds?
and
D) 20 yrs old
B) Use of caustic (acidic) flush to clean out?
C) Pulled top hose loose and wiggled neck hard enough to weaken welds?
and
D) 20 yrs old
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
It sounds like the gasket between the tank and core blew out. They can be replaced, if you can find a gasket. I never had to do this, so I have no idea where you'd get a gasket. I think radiator shops can get the gaskets and do the repairs. I have a recollection that the procedure is described in the shop manual.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Most shops don't care to repair plastic/alum hybrid radiators anymore. And, I wouldn't want to "throw" money at a 20yr old radiator anyway.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 995
Likes: 1
From: Naples Campania
I would go ahead and get a new radiator. I'll probably take less time to ship the part than to tear everything apart, wait for gaskets and put it all back together. Also, with the cost of labor it'll probably be cheaper to get a new one.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
Race Director
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 14,924
Likes: 9
From: Merritt Ils Fl
Had something like that happen to me. Took the radiator to a shop, was immediately told to buy a new one. Guy would not touch it. Could not warrant any repair, besides his repair would cost more than a new radiator.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Shreveport Louisiana
FYI guys, I do all my own work, saves me the mechanic costs and the corvette tax. 
As soon as I got home last night I ordered a new radiator, unfortunately it's a stock style. Maybe it'll hold up another 20 years.
As soon as I got home last night I ordered a new radiator, unfortunately it's a stock style. Maybe it'll hold up another 20 years.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 995
Likes: 1
From: Naples Campania
The stock radiator is fine. If I remember correctly it's a 2-layer, right? I've seen people put a 3 layer in and I have heard a ricer claim a MASSIVELY AWESOME SUPER COOL 6-LAYER RADIATOR!!!!
Sure....
I honestly don't think it makes that much of a difference unless your going down a drag strip with the RPMs pegged.
Sure....
I honestly don't think it makes that much of a difference unless your going down a drag strip with the RPMs pegged.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Ottawa Ontario
Team Owner
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
The stock radiator is fine. If I remember correctly it's a 2-layer, right? I've seen people put a 3 layer in and I have heard a ricer claim a MASSIVELY AWESOME SUPER COOL 6-LAYER RADIATOR!!!!
Sure....
I honestly don't think it makes that much of a difference unless your going down a drag strip with the RPMs pegged.
Sure....
I honestly don't think it makes that much of a difference unless your going down a drag strip with the RPMs pegged.
I agree....Recommending a $500 radiator is extreme for all but the top 5% of C4 owners.
Look at the OBX headers people are just now talking about and buying. While we think it sucks to buy foreign-made products, we can't afford to buy American. Or, the price is just too high....At least in these times.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 931
Likes: 381
Future reference for anyone looking for a new old stock (NOS) GM radiator for a '90-'96 auto or manual transmission, checkout the link.
I was just at this place last week and bought NOS GM brake rotors and saw their inventory of radiators.
I'm not affiliated with them, just an enthusiast passing on information on a good parts source.
http://www.corvetterecycling.com/199...p/52473260.htm
I was just at this place last week and bought NOS GM brake rotors and saw their inventory of radiators.
I'm not affiliated with them, just an enthusiast passing on information on a good parts source.
http://www.corvetterecycling.com/199...p/52473260.htm
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,765
Likes: 5
The Callaway TT cars made from 1987 to 1991 had 4- row Brass & Copper radiators installed.
Its listed on a 1988 Callaway TT Dealer brochure I have put away in collection.
I am wondering yet who made those Brass & Copper radiators used in the C4 Callaway TT Corvettes.
I would like to own that 4-row Brass & Copper radiator before a Dewitts or Be-Cool aluminum unit.
Brian
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,017
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St. Jude Donor '10
I don't know if you ever seen or knew of this Ron,..........
The Callaway TT cars made from 1987 to 1991 had 4- row Brass & Copper radiators installed.
Its listed on a 1988 Callaway TT Dealer brochure I have put away in collection.
I am wondering yet who made those Brass & Copper radiators used in the C4 Callaway TT Corvettes.
I would like to own that 4-row Brass & Copper radiator before a Dewitts or Be-Cool aluminum unit.
Brian
The Callaway TT cars made from 1987 to 1991 had 4- row Brass & Copper radiators installed.
Its listed on a 1988 Callaway TT Dealer brochure I have put away in collection.
I am wondering yet who made those Brass & Copper radiators used in the C4 Callaway TT Corvettes.
I would like to own that 4-row Brass & Copper radiator before a Dewitts or Be-Cool aluminum unit.
Brian
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,765
Likes: 5
OK,
It shows the 4- row copper & brass radiator as standard equipment on the 1988 Callaway TT package in my brochure.
You own a TT Callaway I recall.
Who made the optional 4- row brass & copper radiator optional on the TT Callway's ?
If you know.
Was it a GM Harrison radiator ?
Brian
It shows the 4- row copper & brass radiator as standard equipment on the 1988 Callaway TT package in my brochure.
You own a TT Callaway I recall.
Who made the optional 4- row brass & copper radiator optional on the TT Callway's ?
If you know.
Was it a GM Harrison radiator ?
Brian
