Dewitt's Radiator Replacement - 1989 Coupe
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 871
Likes: 15
From: Shepherdsville Kentucky
Dewitt's Radiator Replacement - 1989 Coupe
Replaced my radiator recently in an effort to get it to run cooler with a Dewitt's double row aluminum radiator. As many have stated previously I found half a forest trying to catch a ride.
After cleaning:
After comparing the new radiator to the old, the bottom hose mount is located lower than the original.
This bracket needed to be cut:
Once trimmed, the radiator fit nicely:
Top Bracket also needs to be cut:
Initially I used a dremel, but a utility knife worked out a lot better.
In looking at Dewitt's website, the radiator pictured for a 1989 doesn't appear to match the one I have. The lower hose mount looks like it would line up without the trimming. Perhaps I have a different version than what is sold now.
After cleaning:
After comparing the new radiator to the old, the bottom hose mount is located lower than the original.
This bracket needed to be cut:
Once trimmed, the radiator fit nicely:
Top Bracket also needs to be cut:
Initially I used a dremel, but a utility knife worked out a lot better.
In looking at Dewitt's website, the radiator pictured for a 1989 doesn't appear to match the one I have. The lower hose mount looks like it would line up without the trimming. Perhaps I have a different version than what is sold now.
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
Seems like you should have verified correct shipment -- before hacking into your mounting frame. I thought DeWitt's were supposed to be drop-in replacements!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
I'm guessing you have the wrong unit.
Mine was a drop in with the exception of the filler neck shroud clearance.
Give customer support a call.
Mine was a drop in with the exception of the filler neck shroud clearance.
Give customer support a call.
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
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 413
From: WV
You should of just gotten the auto radiator and plugged the holes for the trans lines..Then you wouldn't of had to cut anything...
...With that bracket I believe your car may have been an automatic from the factory.....WW
...With that bracket I believe your car may have been an automatic from the factory.....WW
Last edited by WW7; Nov 4, 2013 at 01:41 PM.
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Yea Me too, dropped right in! I think you received the wrong part # radiator for your application!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 871
Likes: 15
From: Shepherdsville Kentucky
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
The radiator you bought is about (7) seven years old. That design was one of the first (prototype) units we built in 2006. It used a shorter core and the bottom had an air baffle, which makes it look like the lower connection is lower, but it's not.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
This description from the DeWitt website and what the Op received, don't match. If bought from DeWitt, I'm sure he would've re-shipped you the correct one, if bought from another source, you should've contacted the seller about the modifications and missing mounting cushions.
Model: 1139084A (Double Row) $525
This new aluminum radiator features two rows of 1" tubes and press formed end tanks. This doubles the cooling capacity of the original single row units. This design eliminates failures due to cracked plastic end tanks and/or gasket leaks. This model fits both automatic transmission and 4 + 3 models. To simplify installation, we include the custom mounting cushions. Note: First design AC condensers used on 1984 & early 1985 will have to be upgraded to allow clearance for the thicker radiator.
.
Last edited by GKK; Nov 5, 2013 at 12:06 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,185
Likes: 33
From: Charlotte Michigan
I bought a single row for my '93 LT1 and it is a bolt in using original mounts. I added the fan kit and brackets were not drilled correctly or lacked holes for a upper hose bracket. I took every thing down to Dewitts and showed John the problem, came up with a solution and hopefully hose updates will be made to there products. I am confident they will be.
If it was purchased from someone other than Dewitts, no telling how long it had been on the shelf, and if you got a good deal, that maybe why they did so in order to get rid of some old stock. The other factor is that the cowling may not be the correct one as it may have been replaced previously by another owner.
Sounds like others with same year had very little problem in installing the system.
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,509
Likes: 3
From: Hazel Park MI
I bought model 1129084A, and I have an 85 vette. I didn't want to replace my condenser, so I went this route. I had to whack the same bracket as the OP, and buy a low coolant temp sensor to plug the hole, as my 85 (probably all of them) did not come with that option. Also had to turn the drain valve all the way in to get it to fit, which means it is open - right, coolant poured out cuz I forgot to shut it. And the rubber mounts - forget it, there is no way on God's great earth those ones they sent me were ever going to work. I had to whack my stock ones, with an exacto knife, as I also tried the dremmel. Still have 'em just in case. A half-sheet of paper explaining these caveats would go along way, and should be included IMO if any more of these units are sold. I was tempted to take pics and drive to dewitts and show em this ain't a direct fit, but I've modded so much other crap I guess I'm used to it. I do have summers off so i should've....
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
I bought model 1129084A, and I have an 85 vette. I didn't want to replace my condenser, so I went this route.
And the rubber mounts - forget it, there is no way on God's great earth those ones they sent me were ever going to work. I had to whack my stock ones, with an exacto knife, as I also tried the dremmel. Still have 'em just in case. A half-sheet of paper explaining these caveats would go along way, and should be included IMO if any more of these units are sold. .
And the rubber mounts - forget it, there is no way on God's great earth those ones they sent me were ever going to work. I had to whack my stock ones, with an exacto knife, as I also tried the dremmel. Still have 'em just in case. A half-sheet of paper explaining these caveats would go along way, and should be included IMO if any more of these units are sold. .
The 90-96 model is a completely different radiator, and we do not supply rubber cushion with this model. The upper cushions require some trimming and a sheet of instructions is included.
Oh, to answer the question above ....
We did not sell that OP radiator. It may be new but we made that more than seven years ago.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 50
From: Palmdale CA
It looks like the OP purchased an NOS Radiator W/MT set up and stuck it in an AT Shroud assy.. and then Compared it against a Modern Dewitts picture! No punt intended.. the picture is becoming clear. 
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 871
Likes: 15
From: Shepherdsville Kentucky
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 871
Likes: 15
From: Shepherdsville Kentucky
The radiator was described in the eBay listing as for a manual transmission which I have. Car is an original 6 speed, had it since 1200 miles were on the clock.