Aluminum Radiator

[cmegga]

Ive been doing some digging here, looking for a new radiator. I definitly wanted an aluminum as I have close to 400 HP now and turn 3200 RPM going down the highway. At first I was going to order the Dewit or Becool direct fit , both in the 499-549 dollar range. Then I wondered why not see if I can find a uneversal that is fairly close in size. Be cool has a universal almost exact size for my 81, a 31 x 19. Except after more research it is only a 1 row unit, rated for 300 HP an under. Not going to cut it for my application.

So I ended up finding a Northern Aluminum radiator , PN 9607 . They rate it for 600 HP. It has the tranie cooler for automatic applications and is a 2 row. It is 30.8 x 18.7 overall size so Im hoping it should drop in with out to many modifications. I eneded up getting it for $299, just a few bucks more then a 4 row bass would have been.

I feel like its a great deal, just wonder why it was so much cheeper then the other aluminum radiators I looked at. Anyone formilular with this brand or know any unapealing info on them ??

 

[cmegga]

Also wondering if any one has converted over to DEX-COOL ?

I know thye say is cool better, but Im hearing you need to do a complete a very thoural flush before swithing to this from antifreeze.

Any one been threw this one before??

 

[matchframe]

Where did you buy the Northen Radiator. That the best deal I have heard of. And how much more for the 4 row brass?

Bill

 

[cmegga]

The brass 4 row was a bit less, it was a direct fit 4 row for $229.

I went threw carradiator.com , best part is no tax with online companies and a flat shipping rate of $14!!

 

[matchframe]

Thanks for the info! It won't be long before I will need to buy one.

Bill

 

[JohnZ]

Also wondering if any one has converted over to DEX-COOL ?

I know thye say is cool better, but Im hearing you need to do a complete a very thoural flush before swithing to this from antifreeze.

Any one been threw this one before??

Dexcool has exactly the same heat transfer efficiency as ordinary "green stuff" - makes no difference - they're both ethylene glycol-based. The advantage of Dexcool is the inorganic anti-corrosion inhibitor package (vs. the organic salts/silicates inhibitor in "green stuff") for improved long-term corrosion protection. However, as it states on the label, the long-term advantage is lost when it's used in a cooling system that's previously had regular "green" anti-freeze in it due to the built-up layer of organic salts in the cooling system reacting with the Dexcool ingredients and reducing their effectiveness. Just use ordinary green anti-freeze and distilled water and change it every two or three years (the anti-freeze doesn't wear out, but the additive/inhibitor package weakens over time as it does its job).

 

[cmegga]

Thanks for the advise on the Dexcool.


Hopefullly after this new radiator get in I wont have to screw around with diffrent additives.

Well I probably still run the RedLine WaterWetter, just becuse it really has made a diffrence for me in the past. I usually do 20 % Green stuff a 10 oz bottle of waterwetter and filler her the rest of the way ith water. Well for the summer anyway. Then back to 50/50 water and the green stuff for winter storage. The fun of having a corvette in NY !!

 

[resto75]

Why do you change from 50/50 to 20% in the summer ?? Is there an advantage to that ?

 

[Jack]

Cheap ($170) source for Northern Al rads

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/xq/as...mages.yes/sq./cont.1/intPgNo.1/qx/product.htm

Speedway Motors pn 917347-31 is a Northern pn CR9607 ... Speedway gets $170 for it. It is a 31x19 al rad w/ two, one inch rows ... I know the ad copy reads Tru-Kool but when it arrives it is clearly stamped Northern CR9607. We use em in circle track cars and they’re great ... no epoxy ... very well made ... as good or better than Griffin. To clarify Northern CR9607 does NOT have trans cooler ... however, Northern pn CR9608 does have trans cooler ... sadly Speedway does not offer CR9608 ... I 've already asked em. BTW ... I have newest Northern catalog.
JACK:gap

 

[cmegga]

eeerrrrrr !! ! !

They ausred me it had the trannie cooler . Not to pleased about that one. I guess it gives me a reason to cancel now and reorder threw Speedway since they are also $130 less.

When I call to cancel my order I will verify it doesnt have the trannie cooler before I stop the order, as they were having this unit built threw Northern and shipped to me direct from their.

Do you think Im ok as a daily driver with a 3:55 rear end just running an external tranie cooler alone ?? Becuase for the price and the size match this one looks like a good match for my application.

 

[cmegga]

Thanks for the tip on speedway ! They were cheaper and much more knowledgable. The radiator dosent come with the overflow spout or cap which I never thought about. I got all three items shipped for $208.31 !! Very happy !!

 

[Jack]

Thanks for the tip on speedway ! They were cheaper and much more knowledgable. The radiator dosent come with the overflow spout or cap which I never thought about. I got all three items shipped for $208.31 !! Very happy !!

CR9607 & CR9608 both have machined necks that are drilled & tapped for standard hose barb (for overflow hose) ... just get a brass hose barb from hardware store ... I think it's 1/8" pipe thread. Either rad can use virtually any type rad cap. Race caps are usually high pressure ... typically 20--30 lbs. Typical street caps 14-18 lbs. Neither CR9607 nor CR9608 come with a drain cock nor a bung to screw one into ... ya might wanna have a local shop heliarc in a bung ... pulling a C3 lower hose can be tough.

BTW, Northern sells only to dealers/distributors:
Northern
1950 Trott Ave. SW
Willmar MN 56201
(320) 235-2288

Northern Rads are also sold by Lefthander Chassis under their house rad brand "Titan"... and Summit sells them under their house brand "Summit" but they're not usually in Summit paper catalog (they're in online catalog). Either way ... Speedway's the cheapest Northern source I've found ... but I'm still lookin'. No doubt ... carradiator.com is WAY outa line on Northern.

You'll probably be fine with a stand-alone trans cooler. Both CR9607 & CR9608 are standard Northern production race rads ... NOT custom made. You're gonna be tickled with Northern's quality & performance. Speedway's been in the hot rod & race car business for a LONG time ... over 50 years as a solid family business. As for the $100 you're up ... it'll git us lotsa RCs & nabs :L
JACK:gap

 

[MaineShark]

cmegga: I had the same problem (direct-fit costs too much, aftermarket doesn't have a tranny cooler). I bought a 31x19" Griffin radiator from Jegs ($190, free shipping), and a B&M 11x6x1.5" tranny cooler ($50). I got a Perma-Cool external tranny filter as well, for added insurance. I got the model with the temp guage ($80), since that will let me monitor temperature. Yeah, it's $50 more than the filter without the temp guage, but I want to know what's going on.

Mounting the cooler was giving me fits, though. Not much space in these cars. But I got some advice to check the space between the A/C condenser and the radiator, and sure enough, there is space for the cooler in there. It will be close, but it will fit.

The 11x6x1.5" B&M cooler is rated for 24,000 lbs GWV, so I think it will be plenty on a C3, even without the internal cooler. After all, a C3 is like 1/6 of that GWV...

I settled on the B&M cooler because it has a built-in bypass system that is supposed to prevent strain on the system when the fluid is cold (since it is thicker when cold, it is harder to pump thought the cooler).

Why do you change from 50/50 to 20% in the summer ?? Is there an advantage to that ?

Water cools better than antifreeze. Ideally, you should use as little antifreeze as you feel comfortable with (keeping in mind that the corrosion inhibiters in the antifreeze are useful, even if you don't live in an area where cold is a problem).

Joe