Hey Kevin, I paid $120 for mine and it works just fine.You don't have to spend a ton of money.

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Lifetime Member #116
Dave's '82

   

No problems with the current stock radiator.

I bought mine from a dealer that I saw was still on there. Excellent quality and price  - I think mine came out to about $300 with shipping. It actually looks sturdier than the Dewitts...

Hey, I hope we can keep this thread going. A lot of us would like an aluminum rad. but I can't afford the 5 bills. I never thought to look on ebay. Guess I'd heard somewhere that Chinese alum. rads were the bunk. I'd love to find out that's not true.

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Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again.

 
                             Click to see larger views!

KDADDY792010-01-17 21:01:04

I don't remember the brand name of mine, got it from a friend who is an auto parts distrubitor.

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Lifetime Member #116
Dave's '82

   

The name of the Ebay business I bought from was Entropy. These are hand made to order in the U.S.

Here's a link to Entropy for a 77-82 Radiator LukesVette2010-01-18 06:29:43

Haven't bought the radiator yet. Soon enough.

[QUOTE=KDADDY79]Question is.....Does the hood have to be removed in order to change out the radiator?[/QUOTE]

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Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again.

 
                             Click to see larger views!

Thanks Ace!

I didn't remove my hood and was able to remove and replace my radiator.  No problem for me.
  Did it by myself and didn't need any help.

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Steve, Lifetime Member #129

74 coupe 4 speed 350, 54K actual miles,
all original; paint, interior, engine,
split  bumper. #'s match. 2nd owner, no stress cracks.

Done it both ways and hood off is definitely easier.  That said, hood off is only easier with at least two and alignment takes a bit of practice even with making alignment marks.

I did it with hood off.. seemed akward with hood on. I ran a felt tip marker around the hood hinge and alignment went back easy... definitely need 2 to take off and on again...

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Lifetime Member #86

USN 1966-1970
WestPac 67-68 Tet I&II

Featured in Corvette Enthusiast Aug 2007 "Shark Attack"
Blue Green *** 454,4 Spd, Dark Saddle Leather, A/C, AM-FM St. (orig), PW, Tilt -Tele Wheel"



(click to see a bigger image)

Hood on by yourself is more awkward the shorter and weaker you are - the rad basically slides out at a similar angle to the hood when it's propped open - highly recommend removing the hood. Just score around the hinges for alignment to re-install. My hood has been on and off a dozen or more times - never damaged any paint...

The new aluminum radiator arrived. I'm hoping to start the install on it early next week.

2 Questions;

1) Is a 16 lb. radiator cap correct for a '79 C3?

2) Am I OK continuing to use a 180 degree T-stat?

KDADDY792010-03-30 15:49:33

I'm thinkin' ,.......yes and yes. And the air dam seals are a must. Careful when purchasing the cap. There are 2 types out there these days, vented and NOT. Ours aren't vented.

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Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again.

 
                             Click to see larger views!

Hey Ace,

16 lbs. and NOT VENTED for the cap and the T-stat can stay.

 Entropy is the ebay company I got mine from - great radiator two years running now. I got the dual fan radiator and bought their wire harness kit. I initially hooked up the dual fans with the stock fan connections, but that melted the plug... when I installed the harness with all the relays, fuses and correct gauge wiring, the fans came to life and the CFM flow increased greatly!
  Phill's Vette2010-04-07 02:24:33

I'm chompin' at the bit to get this done!

I ordered a radiator seal kit from a local store. Cash 'n carry....Thought I'd save some time that way. It's been two weeks and the darn seals aren't in yet.  Ah well...Soon enough.

Kevin

OK, the radiator seal kit finally came in.  I'll be getting to work on this Thursday morning.

I thought I'd spray any bolts with PB Blaster a few times this week before I start this job.

KDADDY792010-04-18 17:56:51

Look at Doc Rebuld catalog, it usualy has a diagram of the seals.

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Corvettes and women are the same...You want to make love to them but they keep breaking down.

Hey Dennis,

Thanks!!!

This radiator is bustin' my chops!  

I got a DeWitts aluminum radiator (direct replacement) to replace the aluminum radiator in my 71 when I got the new engine. It wasn't cheap, but then neither was the engine. It's been flawless. I'm not knocking the cheaper alternatives, just replaying my experience. The Dewitts was *exactly* like the original - slid right in and everything bolted up fine.

Ditto for me.. I got Dewitt's with dual spal fans for my 454..  but I may have considered the E-Bay type if I had known... I can't complain.. solved my running hot problems...

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Lifetime Member #86

USN 1966-1970
WestPac 67-68 Tet I&II

Featured in Corvette Enthusiast Aug 2007 "Shark Attack"
Blue Green *** 454,4 Spd, Dark Saddle Leather, A/C, AM-FM St. (orig), PW, Tilt -Tele Wheel"



(click to see a bigger image)

The war is over ..........I hope.

Cool beans there Kevin, a new radiator and the t-stat problem solved you should be good to go in the cooling dept.    DB

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Corvettes and women are the same...You want to make love to them but they keep breaking down.

Well done Kevin!!  I did some tweaking of my own, but I also worked on a budget on that project and saved more $ than expected and it's been in the car for 4 years now without a worry!!

"Time to drive, drive, DRIVE!!! "

Good job Kevin, glad to hear it all worked out well in the end, enjoy.

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Lifetime Member #116
Dave's '82