Topic: Blew my cool-ant, today.
in Forum: C3 Cooling and Heating Systems
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As if it wasn't bad enough today that I had to go to the dentist. Nothing against dentist, I just don't get too overjoyed when it's time to go.
So I decide to take the Vette to make my trip to the dentist as enjoyable as possible. Besides, any morning now I could wake up to find that sand & salt s
all over the roads.
Been watching a small radiator leak and the temp gauge all summer, so when I came out of the dentist office I though the puddle under my car was a little bigger then the little puddle on my garage floor. 3 miles to home so lets get her there and check it out. Half way there I started to look like the space shuttle, but the needle never hit the red so I kept going. Now, my idea of checking something out usually means opening the hood and standing there scratching my head, ---- or something else. I took a look and the top radiator hose blew right off the radiator. What a mess. It did turn over ok tonight so I hope the engine's alright. Any reason it would do that other than maybe the clamp working lose?
I do have a nice new Dewitt radiator from Carlisle sitting in a box waiting for a winter project, so maybe my visit to the dentist was my last ride of the season.
So I decide to take the Vette to make my trip to the dentist as enjoyable as possible. Besides, any morning now I could wake up to find that sand & salt s
all over the roads. Been watching a small radiator leak and the temp gauge all summer, so when I came out of the dentist office I though the puddle under my car was a little bigger then the little puddle on my garage floor. 3 miles to home so lets get her there and check it out. Half way there I started to look like the space shuttle, but the needle never hit the red so I kept going. Now, my idea of checking something out usually means opening the hood and standing there scratching my head, ---- or something else. I took a look and the top radiator hose blew right off the radiator. What a mess. It did turn over ok tonight so I hope the engine's alright. Any reason it would do that other than maybe the clamp working lose?
I do have a nice new Dewitt radiator from Carlisle sitting in a box waiting for a winter project, so maybe my visit to the dentist was my last ride of the season.
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Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
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
Wow! Hope you didn't get a face-full of hot coolant!
That ain't fun AT ALL!
If the hose just blew off the rad. neck, but didn't split, the clamp prolly was loose. Hopefully, it did no damage...if it wasn't too far, and you drove nicely, you're prolly ok, but I would change the oil before driving it too much again. As far as the temp gauge not pegging, they have to be touching the coolant to register corrcetly, so if it was low on coolant, it wouldn't go to "Hot"...
That ain't fun AT ALL!
If the hose just blew off the rad. neck, but didn't split, the clamp prolly was loose. Hopefully, it did no damage...if it wasn't too far, and you drove nicely, you're prolly ok, but I would change the oil before driving it too much again. As far as the temp gauge not pegging, they have to be touching the coolant to register corrcetly, so if it was low on coolant, it wouldn't go to "Hot"...
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
By the time the gage gets to the red area, you may be too late.
Sounds like you are OK this time.
Now you know- when she is leaking, git her fixed.
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Lifetime MemberLanoka Harbor, NJ - USA
Joined: 12/21/2006
Posts: 828
Vette(s): 1975 metallic blue coupe with t-tops,L48, t/t steering, black leather interior. 1990 L98, white/red leather interior, auto,a/c
sorry to hear about your problem. as joel said glad you didn't get a
faceful of the coolant. i replaced my radiator with one from dewitts
plus insatlled the electric fans. runs great and holds the temp where
it belongs.
did you get the aluminum radiator or the regular? i got the aluminum. hope you got a good deal on it.
did you get the aluminum radiator or the regular? i got the aluminum. hope you got a good deal on it.
LIFETIME MEMBER #97
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[QUOTE=eddie20875]sorry to hear about your problem. as joel said glad you didn't get a
faceful of the coolant. i replaced my radiator with one from dewitts
plus insatlled the electric fans. runs great and holds the temp where
it belongs.
did you get the aluminum radiator or the regular? i got the aluminum. hope you got a good deal on it.
[/QUOTE]
Got the Dewitt aluminum and had em paint it black. Ordered it at Corvettes at Carlilse- Show special- 480.00 and free shipping, I think.
did you get the aluminum radiator or the regular? i got the aluminum. hope you got a good deal on it.
[/QUOTE]
Got the Dewitt aluminum and had em paint it black. Ordered it at Corvettes at Carlilse- Show special- 480.00 and free shipping, I think.
Lifetime MemberModerator
Moses Lake, WA - USA
Joined: 4/16/2005
Posts: 2134
Vette(s): 1976 L48 4-spd, Mahogany Metalic exterior, Buckskin interior 350ci/350hp, 3rd owner, fiberglass spring, 255/50-16's Torq-Thrust II
Had the top hose come off of mine when I had it in the garage a few years ago. I replaced the radiator and the one I got had the 1-1/4 connection but the 76's took 1-1/2. So they supply a rubber sleeve
to make up the difference. So after that happened I took it down to a radiator shop and had the correct size (1-1/2) nipple installed.
I now have a DeWitt radiator with dual fans coming as part of my winter engine swap.
No more worries about overheat hear in the desert.
to make up the difference. So after that happened I took it down to a radiator shop and had the correct size (1-1/2) nipple installed.
I now have a DeWitt radiator with dual fans coming as part of my winter engine swap. No more worries about overheat hear in the desert.in Forum: C3 Cooling and Heating Systems
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