Topic: Radiator-- Replace or Rebuild?? 1982
in Forum: C3 Cooling and Heating Systems
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Former Member
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Phoenix, AZ - USA
Joined: 6/12/2011
Posts: 139
Vette(s): 1982 corvette crossfire production numer C5101985. Color is silver and claret. All original numbers match. slight mods to crossfire for better efficiancy and power balanced and added fuel pressure assembly between throttle bodies,
I need an opinion on replacing my radatior or rebuilding the one that is in my 82. the seams are pretty shot and its starting to leak pretty bad.
Would it actually be worth it to rebuild it or just upgrade to an aluminum (sp) 3 to 4 row new one?
thanks in advance for your opinions
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Was it doing a good job keeping your car temp in range before it went bad? If so, then just get it overhauled.
You can't go wrong with a new aluminum radiator, but it will cost more too.
You can't go wrong with a new aluminum radiator, but it will cost more too.
Former Member
Send PM
Phoenix, AZ - USA
Joined: 6/12/2011
Posts: 139
Vette(s): 1982 corvette crossfire production numer C5101985. Color is silver and claret. All original numbers match. slight mods to crossfire for better efficiancy and power balanced and added fuel pressure assembly between throttle bodies,
yes it keeps the car at 150 according to the gauge. Im Moving to Phoenix at the end of this summer so im not sure how that "dry heat" is going to effect the car.
after looking at it more closely the previous owner just put plumbers puddy or something on it...
instead of doing it right--- BUBBA STRIKES when you least expect it.
Save yourself some coin and have it recored.
My local radiator shop said the copper brass radiators are actually better than the fancy aluminum ones overall. They recored mine about 13 years ago. It kept the car just below the 200 degree mark in hot weather. This year I had the same shop check it over, straighten the fins out and modify the upper outlet for my LS1 conversion. They assured me I would have no problems for many years and many miles with this radiator.
But if you want the bling factor, go aluminum.
TKO500 5 spd.
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975
Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.
Lifetime Member #26
An alumimum radiator will cool 30% better, i.e. 30% more BTUs. A copper radiator is probably better at resisting corrosion. I would have kept the copper and brass radiator in my LT-1 w/ a/c if it would have cooled worth a damn.
Former Member
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Phoenix, AZ - USA
Joined: 6/12/2011
Posts: 139
Vette(s): 1982 corvette crossfire production numer C5101985. Color is silver and claret. All original numbers match. slight mods to crossfire for better efficiancy and power balanced and added fuel pressure assembly between throttle bodies,
Sarge81 said:
Save yourself some coin and have it recored.
My local radiator shop said the copper brass radiators are actually better than the fancy aluminum ones overall. They recored mine about 13 years ago. It kept the car just below the 200 degree mark in hot weather. This year I had the same shop check it over, straighten the fins out and modify the upper outlet for my LS1 conversion. They assured me I would have no problems for many years and many miles with this radiator.
But if you want the bling factor, go aluminum.
No im not interested in the "bling" I just want it to run cool. to recore they said 350.00 if it needs it. I will probibly have the shop look at it pressure test it and go from their.
I just didnt need it to go down right now.
then again its better now than on a 12 hour trip to Arizona.
Lifetime MemberSHELBYVILLE, TN - USA
Joined: 7/5/2002
Posts: 3942
Vette(s): 1976 L48 auto
1978 L82 4speed
1994 LT1 6speed
1978 L82 4speed
1994 LT1 6speed
If you do go with a new radiator, do look into getting a 4 core if by chance yours isn't already. Dad's 76 has a 3 core raddy and I have a 4 core to go into it one of the days. It does the job for now, and by adding an external transmission cooler probably helped a little...and also the fact that there is not an a/c unit so no condenser.... just food for thought...
StingrayJim 
NCM Lifetime Member #1936
Stingray's '76���������������������������� StingrayJr's '78���������������������������Lil Red '94 
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Former Member
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Phoenix, AZ - USA
Joined: 6/12/2011
Posts: 139
Vette(s): 1982 corvette crossfire production numer C5101985. Color is silver and claret. All original numbers match. slight mods to crossfire for better efficiancy and power balanced and added fuel pressure assembly between throttle bodies,
stingrayjim jr said:
If you do go with a new radiator, do look into getting a 4 core if by chance yours isn't already. Dad's 76 has a 3 core raddy and I have a 4 core to go into it one of the days. It does the job for now, and by adding an external transmission cooler probably helped a little...and also the fact that there is not an a/c unit so no condenser.... just food for thought...
to my understanding the leaking one in the car is original. (but i was told a lot about the car that turned out to be very incorrect) Im not sure how to tell to be honest. I know its done a really good job at keeping the car cool, with the clutch fan on the motor and the electric 18 inch fan mounted to the radiator she runs at close to 150 or lower most of the time except for limping it home today it hit 200 and that is the hottest the gauge has ever read since i have owned it.
I do have the full Ac unit still on the car- needs recharged but it works.
i will look for an external condenser as well.
thanks
I agree with Gary. The aluminum will dissipate heat faster. That is the one big plus of aluminum. If you've had good luck with the stock one and you don't necessarily want the bling factor, fix what you have imo.
That factory electric auxiliary fan mounted up in the shroud was originally set to kick on at 238 degrees. Mid America made a kit with a fan switch set to kick on sooner. I found a switch and pigtail at NAPA years ago to kick the fan on if it hit 215 degrees. If you've heard your fan kick on during normal operating temperatures, chances are the PO might have put a different fan switch in to help keep it cool.
Make sure your shroud/radiator foam rubber seals are in good shape. Without them your car could wind up running a little hotter than normal. Dr. Rebuild has some of the best rubber goods out there imo.
TKO500 5 spd.
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975
Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.
Lifetime Member #26
in Forum: C3 Cooling and Heating Systems
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