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Topic: Rad Install

in Forum: C3 Cooling and Heating Systems


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Rad Install (1/12)
 7/19/07 10:48pm
Metal Man
Former Member

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, - Canada

Vette(s):
1980 L48 Automatic


Joined: 7/15/2007
Posts: 49

Ok I get the rad installed, all goes well. Fill up with water and check for leaks, all looks good. Go for a drive around the block, pull back into the drive  open the hood with it still running. Walk across the street say hi to the neighbor walk back and see a puddle on the ground. It's spraying water at the top neck where it joins into the tank. I thought this all went to easy. I look on the box that it came in, made in China? Is there no quaility in anything anymore? Do ya think this could be resoulderd with the rad left on? I hate doing the same job twice AngryAngryAngry.
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Rad Install (2/12)
 7/19/07 10:58pm
ranger3Lifetime Member
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North Charleston, SC - USA

Vette(s):
1975 L48 AT AC T-top


Joined: 3/20/2004
Posts: 4176

It would be difficult to repair in place in my opinion. It is a very confined area to be using heat. Besides that, if the radiator is of that poor quality it will probably fail somewhere else. I would take it back.
 
Scott
Rad Install (3/12)
 7/20/07 7:29am
crossfire1982
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Cramerton, NC - USA

Vette(s):
black 1982 coupe slate gray interior, 350 crossfire, 1985 fuel pump, Steeroids R&P conversion


Joined: 8/22/2006
Posts: 1094

Even if you got that leak fixed, I'd be afraid to trust it more than a couple miles from home.
Rad Install (4/12)
 7/20/07 7:44am
warbird
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Roseland, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1974, 454 with 4 on the floor, matching numbers.


Joined: 12/4/2003
Posts: 966

Who's the manufacturer ?
I'm with Crossfire, I would trust that puppy either.
Rad Install (5/12)
 7/20/07 12:23pm
dwright
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Victor, NY - USA

Vette(s):
2004 Commemorative Edition Coupe, Auto w/HUD. 13K miles in 2015. Sold 1982 Red Coupe


Joined: 7/12/2004
Posts: 6833

When you get the replacement, see if you can pressure test it before you install it.

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Rad Install (6/12)
 7/20/07 1:15pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20126

Take it back, get a refund, and bite the bullet. It ain't worth the aggravation of doing this more than once. I'd say get a US made radiator, from one of the Vette suppliers, such as Dewitts. Yeah, it'll cost a bit more up front, but....consider the alternative. Just my 2c.
I think the foreign-made stuff is assembled from sub-standard materials...

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Joel Adams
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Rad Install (7/12)
 7/20/07 1:49pm
suncountryLifetime Member
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Moses Lake, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 L48 4-spd, Mahogany Metalic exterior, Buckskin interior 350ci/350hp, 3rd owner, fiberglass spring, 255/50-16's Torq-Thrust II


Joined: 4/16/2005
Posts: 2134

Becasuse of the lack of environmental laws and cheap labor most brass radiators are made in either China or India. That's where a lot of the mobile equipment manufactures buy theirs. Because of this the quality can be a bit questionable.Shocked
Rad Install (8/12)
 7/20/07 9:42pm
Metal Man
Former Member

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, - Canada

Vette(s):
1980 L48 Automatic


Joined: 7/15/2007
Posts: 49

Pulled out the asian rad and will return it on Monday. Called a rad shop and will have original rad recored. I noticed that the original tanks are made of heavier guage material. Should have done this in the first place, live and learn, you get what ya pay for.Unhappy
Rad Install (9/12)
 7/20/07 10:22pm
jgoglickLifetime Member
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Huntsville, AL - USA

Vette(s):
1971 convertible,375 HP 350ci,Muncie 4-speed,Edelbrock aluminum heads and RPM air-gap manifold,HEI distrubiter - old school mechanical tach drive. LOUD side exhaust!


Joined: 11/15/2003
Posts: 855

Here's another recommendation for a Dewitt's radiator. I got one for my 71 and it was expensive, but it is constructed just as well as the original.Wink Worth it's weight in gold in my opinion.
Rad Install (10/12)
 7/27/07 1:07am
Metal Man
Former Member

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, - Canada

Vette(s):
1980 L48 Automatic


Joined: 7/15/2007
Posts: 49

Should I use thread sealant on the transmission lines where they go into the rad?

Rad Install (11/12)
 7/27/07 8:11am
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20126

Not needed, but a small amount of Teflon tape can be used, if ya just gotta...

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    

My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)
             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Rad Install (12/12)
 7/27/07 9:04am
sundevil74
Former Member

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Leavenworth, KS - USA

Vette(s):
MM Red 1971 T-top,LS5,4-speed, black leather C5 seats, Hooker sidepipes. Previous: 64 Coupe, 65 Roadster L76 / N14


Joined: 1/24/2007
Posts: 426

Dave's comment to pressure test a new rad is a GOOD one!  Even new ones sometimes leak (even the good ones).  The test is worth the $$ and hassle compared to the install-deinstall-reinstall dance. 
 
The radiator in the Vette must have been a woman's design to get back at men for buying the car!  Rolling%20On%20The%20Floor%20Laughing That ought to get the gals fumin'!


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