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Topic: radiator recore

in Forum: C3 Engines


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radiator recore (1/14)
 8/17/23 5:06pm
C3Deacon
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Joined: 7/13/2019
Posts: 10

Had a catastrophic failure on my big block with oil and radiator fluid intermixed. Had to get flushed and was told I need th radiator re-cored due to leaks that showed up after the flush. What would be a fair price for such an endeavor?

Thanks!

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Re: radiator recore (2/14)
 8/17/23 5:17pm
Adam WartellLifetime Member
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Eagleville, PA - USA

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Used to own a 1979 Corvette now owned by JB79


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I have not personally had to do this, but costs seem to vary widely.  So I would say shop around, get prices and compare recore price to replacement (if that is a viable option for your Vette).



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Re: radiator recore (3/14)
 8/18/23 9:56am
jgoglickLifetime Member
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Huntsville, AL - USA

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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!


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I have no experience with a recore, but here's what I would do if I was in that situation. I would buy a new Dewitt's radiator. You just don't mess around with cooling.
Re: radiator recore (4/14)
 8/18/23 1:52pm
NorskyLifetime Member
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Burke, VT - USA

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SOLD - "The Toy" - '70 Convertible
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Best to check around at reputable radiator shops for a price as was mentioned there can be a range.

If a replacement is in order look for one with a copper core.  While aluminum ones may be lighter my mechanic contends that one with a copper core does a better job of heat transfer.



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Re: radiator recore (5/14)
 8/18/23 2:44pm
F4GaryGold Member
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Grapevine, TX - USA

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1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air.


Joined: 8/26/2006
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From the DeWitt's website.

Copper has better thermal conductive properties than aluminum and that is why many people ask this question. The fact is, older copper radiators are made up of (4) four different materials, not just copper. The copper tubes are bonded to the fin with solder (lead) and that has very poor conductive properties. The tanks are made of brass and the side channels are steel. An aluminum radiator is 100% aluminum and the tubes are much wider and closer together (shorter fin height) than the older copper units. As a result, you have more tube-to-fin contact and that is what removes heat.


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Re: radiator recore (6/14)
 8/18/23 2:58pm
manchestersharkLifetime Member
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Equinunk, PA - USA

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1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.


Joined: 10/31/2007
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It's been a long time since 1969. The radiator has served you well. "Be Cool" ,  "Dewitts" , Corvette America can make you one. The new one will give you peace of mind when 195 shows on the gauge. It very well may cost you a significant amount of money opposed to new to recore.  



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Re: radiator recore (7/14)
 8/21/23 6:25pm
my1stc3
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West Haven, CT - USA

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1968 Coupe L36


Joined: 5/3/2022
Posts: 36

I just had mine done as I am having the engine rebuilt and same as you when they went to flush it and clean it leaks, had it recored 4 row copper with my tanks and top and bottom so basically looks factory, totaled $850.00

Re: radiator recore (8/14)
 8/21/23 7:36pm
F4GaryGold Member
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Grapevine, TX - USA

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1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air.


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That's pretty close to a brand new DeWitts all alumimun black painted big block radiator, and it cools 30% better.



|UPDATED|8/21/2023 4:36:45 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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Re: radiator recore (9/14)
 8/21/23 8:05pm
my1stc3
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West Haven, CT - USA

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1968 Coupe L36


Joined: 5/3/2022
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F4Gary said:

That's pretty close to a brand new DeWitts all alumimun black painted big block radiator, and it cools 30% better.


yes but I wanted to keep car with original  components and it didn’t come with aluminum 



|UPDATED|8/21/2023 5:05:24 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Re: radiator recore (10/14)
 8/21/23 9:14pm
F4GaryGold Member
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Grapevine, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air.


Joined: 8/26/2006
Posts: 1439

It's painted black. You can't tell the difference.



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Re: radiator recore (11/14)
 8/23/23 2:39pm
Steevo
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San Diego, CA - USA

Vette(s):
'73 L48 Coupe, 383, M20, A/C, Electric Windows. Matterhorn White Jet-Glo w/ Dark Blue interior. Rochester, Edelbrock, Blackjack Ceramics, Borlas w/ 2.5" mandrel X over, Cooper Cobras on both OEM Steel and Aluminum Wheels.


Joined: 11/10/2013
Posts: 63

Norsky has the best advice: Whatever you do, shop around the REPUTABLE REPAIR SHOPS. I lost 900 bucks on a simple recore of my original '73's to an underhanded place. Hate to even bring it up. 

Honest shops only.

Steve 



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Re: radiator recore (12/14)
 8/25/23 11:59am
C3Deacon
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OK then!

The option for a DeWitt was never presented. Had it recored for $600. Would have gone with a DeWitt, but this one works great.

Thanks for all the advice!

Re: radiator recore (13/14)
 8/25/23 7:58pm
F4GaryGold Member
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Grapevine, TX - USA

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1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air.


Joined: 8/26/2006
Posts: 1439

C3Deacon said:

OK then!

The option for a DeWitt was never presented. Had it recored for $600. Would have gone with a DeWitt, but this one works great.

Thanks for all the advice!



Post #3 recommended a DeWitts radiator.



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Re: radiator recore (14/14)
 9/6/23 4:49pm
gapl1953
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Springbrook, WI - USA

Vette(s):
1974 L82 coupe, 1990 ZR-1


Joined: 10/18/2020
Posts: 34

In northern Wisconsin try and find a shop that will do a recore, they are far and few between. Have a shop in Rice Lake that I got a quote for $1000.00 to do the recore. This was 3 or 4 years ago and the DeWitt radiator was on sale for under $400.00 shipped to me, this was not the black one. I went with the DeWitt and I'm happy that I did, it keeps the engine nice and cool at all the time.  The only problem that I had was that I had trouble putting on the oem cap on and also the Murray replacement cap. The locking ears on the radiator neck were too long. I got a billet radiator cap from DeWitt and it fit fine. It was a little expensive, but a well built and finished cap.

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