82 Radiator questions

[buddaman]

Damn, first the brakes, now I got coolant everywhere. Not sure where the leak is coming from, but I suspect the radiator as it appeared I had a slow drip coming from passenger side of the radiator somewhere above the lower hose. I'm gonna dig in later this week and figure out where the leak is, but I'm after some lingo assistance.

Looking at prices for new radiators, there seems to be 2 typical replacement models, not going high performance as this is intended for highway miles. One is dubbed STND; AC and it's a 3 row, the other is HD;MAX and it's a 4 row. They both appear to be slightly different in size, how the hell do I know what I should put in my 82 assuming it's the radiator?

 

[page62]

Pull the radiator and take it to a radiator shop (or have them do it.) They will recore it for less than the price of a new one -- and you don't have to worry about fitment issues!

But first, let your fingers to the walking. Call around for some price quotes!

 

[wichitacorvette]

within a month of getting my 82, the aux fan ahd made some cuts in the cooling fins........ remove the shroud, remove the aux fan and see if you can see any fluid....... if it is you can get it "repaired" but better yet get an aftermarket one...... and ditch the stock aux fan and get a decent one....... dont use that stock pos for anything.......

 

[Larry82]

Standard 82 is a 3 core. I struggled for several years trying to make the 3 core cool adquately. Went to a 4 core (standard 4 core, not aluminum or anything like that). So far, car does not go over 195 and coolant temp drops with any motion of car. 4 core is a 1/3 improvement. You will not be disappointed. No need to go to aluminum if you have a stock engine.

 

[buddaman]

Thx for the advice

Nice day today, think I'm gonna play hooky from work this afternoon and mess with the Vette.

Happened across this in town today, a snazzy white Corvette that looked to be in the 72 or 73 range pulling out of, get this, a radiator shop that I had never seen before. His garage door was still open and he had at least 2 rumble seat style hot rods....

I like this guy already.

 

[cmegga]

If you do pla on doing engine mods, go for a BeCool. Expect to pay about $450 - $550 , but its well worth the investment. No more cooling problems and a very long life to the unit, they even garentee a 20 degree temp drop !!

PN 60029 (For Automatic)

 

[c4ever]

Standard 82 is a 3 core. I struggled for several years trying to make the 3 core cool adquately. Went to a 4 core (standard 4 core, not aluminum or anything like that). So far, car does not go over 195 and coolant temp drops with any motion of car. 4 core is a 1/3 improvement. You will not be disappointed. No need to go to aluminum if you have a stock engine.

I agree and went the same route on the 82 and I live in S. FL. It don't get any hotter than this. Never breaks 200 in 95 deg heat. I had a perfect fit with the new unit.
Just my .02

Carlo