Aluminum radiators: Who's best ?

[Christian]

I am looking on advices about what vendor/manufacturer to pick for a direct fit aluminum radiator for my 1971 Big Block (454) with Manual Transmission and A/C.
I like to get the most cooling capacity without modification of the shroud or anything else.
What is the best brand to go with?

 

[Vettes n Harleys]

I would call a local body shop. They can tell you who in your area has the best deals and quality. Modine is a good brand. Here in Cincy I have a place that wholesales me ac delco rads. The repair shops use wholesale places and not autozone ect..

 

[Rowdy1]

BCool

Bought mine from Summit Racing, a direct fit, NO modifications, everything fit perfect and it was the ONLY thing that dropped my temp after the engine build and trust me, I tried them all, even had my stock radiator rebuilt with bigger and more tubes. I swear by it, not sure if that's the correct spelling, check the Summit catalog or go online.

 

[1974vette]

yes, im saving up for an aluminum be cool radiator...i believe they're supposed to drop temps by 30 degrees if i remember correctly...

 

[76 Sting]

I have a double core Griffin and it has mad a dramatic difference. If you having cooling problems they also sell an additive called Pro-Blend that is supposed to drop the temp by 40 deg, but I have not tried this before.
Try this attach below.
http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=1079&prmenbr=361

Anyone else hear of this stuff or used it?

 

[Jack]

I am looking on advices about what vendor/manufacturer to pick for a direct fit aluminum radiator for my 1971 Big Block (454) with Manual Transmission and A/C.
I like to get the most cooling capacity without modification of the shroud or anything else.
What is the best brand to go with?

Christian:
I've retrofitted a couple with universal fit Al rads ... my prefered brand is NORTHERN ... but those were universal for vette and did require fitting.

I've seen MANY threads on this ... it seems the best source for DIRECT FIT Al vette rads is http://www.dewitts.com/pages/productdetail.asp?ProdID=275 . By all accounts DeWitts provides superior design, fit, quality, technical support and ease of install. DeWitts specializes in aluminum vette rads; both direct fit and restoration. It appears DeWitts has what you describe for about $500. Dunno about DeWitts, but such vendors often offer seasonal deals / discounts to forum members.
JACK:gap

 

[72Mako]

BeCool here. Been running one for awhile now with no problems. Direct fit, drops into the saddles and no cutting of the shroud. Charles

 

[drags1998]

Be Cool would be my first choice but, Its VERY PRICEY. If price is a factor then go with a GRIFFEN, They make a GREAT PRODUCT!!!!!!

 

[George Black]

There are several really good radiator companies and alot of generic/universal fit bad ones. Depends alot on your particular year and engine. Dewitt is good--lots of vette experience. Be Cool is also reported to have great feedback from owners. Summit sells alot of them. Be Cool has recently been expanding their applications (years of coverage). Last time I checked they did not have one for my year. Whichever brand you decide on, spend the extra money and get a direct fit/correct application.

 

[BeaterShark]

Whichever brand you decide on, spend the extra money and get a direct fit/correct application.

I completely disagree with this statement.

I have a 31" x 19" universal Griffin 2 row with 1 1/4" tubes that I paid about $260 for. This radiator is the same "series" (ie same core) as their direct fit Corvette radiators that cost $500 or so.

The only thing I had to do to make mine fit was to use different radiator hoses and trim them a little. I also have electric fans, though, so I'm not sure how the shroud would fit. But, for the $240 you could save on the radiator, you could buy an electric fan setup.

 

[Jack]

Keep this in mind ... whatever brand aluminum radiator you decide on: Some manufacturers use EPOXY to seal the tubes to the header panels ... others furnace braze instead. IMHO, furnace braze is superior to epoxy. From experience I know it is very difficult to make a weld-repair to aluminum if it has epoxy on/near it. Griffin rads are quite good, but for many years they've been constructed with epoxy ... I dunno if that's recently changed or not. Same goes for the filler neck (on those apps that have a neck) ... some use a stamping ... some use a heavier billet/casting. IMHO, a stamped neck is less-desirable. As before, Griffin has routinely used a stamped neck ... dunno if that's changed either. BTW, if I recall Griffin is made right here in good old South Carolina ... but I opt for the Northern that's made in Minnesota. Also, regardless which brand ... every universal fit aluminum rad I've seen has NO draincock NOR bung in which to fit one. So, when choosing ... considerations should also include epoxy v. braze, neck design, draincock.

I wouldn't be surprised to find that some vette rad specialists' AL rads are custom-manufactured for them by Northern. Northern currently supplies Summit, Lefthander Chassis, Speedway and others with their house brands. To my knowledge, Northern has yet to offer direct fit AL rads for vette ... but they do for many popular muscle cars. I buy universal fit Northern 31 x 19 (2 one inch row) for about $155 ... but you do have to fit them and I wouldn't expect a fan shroud to fit perfectly. That's why I suggest DeWitts for direct fit.
JACK:gap

 

[Christian]

OK

From what I could gathered, it looks like I have BE COOL and DEWITT as a first choice, with a preference for BE COOL because of the epoxy.
The other brands seem not to offer real direct fit.

Thank you all for your help.

 

[BeaterShark]

Also, regardless which brand ... every universal fit aluminum rad I've seen has NO draincock NOR bung in which to fit one.

This is true about the Griffin I have. I forgot about it. I had planned on driiling/tap for a draincock, but it is too easy to just remove the lower hose to empty the rad.

 

[Tom DeWitt]

OK

From what I could gathered, it looks like I have BE COOL and DEWITT as a first choice, with a preference for BE COOL because of the epoxy.
The other brands seem not to offer real direct fit.

Thank you all for your help.

I'm new to this forum, but not new to aluminum radiators. DeWitts is the only company in the world that specializing in Corvette radiators only. We have recieved a trademark from the US Government to use the terms "Direct Fit". Legally no one else can use these terms as this is the name of our product line.

We do NOT use epoxy and our radiators are a true direct fit. Be-cool offers one model for 69-82 applications and you will receive a modification chart with instructions on what needs to be modified. We offer (5) five different ones to match the original mounting. A63, A70, A69, A73, A77. Most C3 radiators require the upper left tank to have a "relief" spot for hood clearance, which ours have. We use press formed end tanks with ribs to look like the original brass units and the upper channels have four bends for extra strength and the original look. Our list price is also lower. You will not find a better fitting, better looking radiator, I guarantee it.

 

[76texvette]

I just ordered a late '76 "direct fit" from DeWitt and am expecting it this week. I will let you know how it goes.....

 

[67HEAVEN]

My DeWitt rad/fan combo for bigblock '67.

Chapter 26

 

[Christian]

...We do NOT use epoxy and our radiators are a true direct fit. Be-cool offers one model for 69-82 applications and you will receive a modification chart with instructions on what needs to be modified...//...You will not find a better fitting, better looking radiator, I guarantee it.

Tom,

After gathering more info from different sources including from yourself by e-mail, I have ordered a A69M with the black epoxy coating on your website two days ago, before even reading your reply to this thread.

I can't wait to drop it in the car.

 

[Hib Halverson]

I'm new to this forum, but not new to aluminum radiators. DeWitts is the only company in the world that specializing in Corvette radiators only. We have recieved a trademark from the US Government to use the terms "Direct Fit". Legally no one else can use these terms as this is the name of our product line.

Mr. DeWitt. Could you please contact me by private email?
finspeed@earthlink.net

 

[norvalwilhelm]

I completely disagree with this statement.

I have a 31" x 19" universal Griffin 2 row with 1 1/4" tubes that I paid about $260 for. This radiator is the same "series" (ie same core) as their direct fit Corvette radiators that cost $500 or so.

The only thing I had to do to make mine fit was to use different radiator hoses and trim them a little. I also have electric fans, though, so I'm not sure how the shroud would fit. But, for the $240 you could save on the radiator, you could buy an electric fan setup.

I completley agree with BeaterShark. Other then the angle of the lower outlet everything is the same except the price.
I just had to make a 2 piece lower rad hose but other then that it bolted right in.
Why pay double the price for a slightly different angle on the lower rad nipple????

 

[Tom DeWitt]

Forgot photo

It's more than a different tube. As I said above, we make (5) five different unique models to cover the C3 era. Everyone of these radiators are different in some way. Just an example, the 19" height dimension of the universal is saposed to be 18.5" so a little adjusting is required there. I don't know what the 31" is referencing but the largest core ever installed in Corvette was 27.5". As mentioned, most universal no not have drain connections, or trans coolers, and the Griffin uses epoxy to seal the header joints. 69-72 Big block don't have filler caps, most universals have them and people hook up the cap to a non-funtioning surge tank. A few years down the road you might need to purchase a new lower hose and nothing will fit and the shrouds typically have to be cut here and there. Most of the C3 cars require the corner relief so the hood closes correctly (see below) So it's a lot more than dollars.
The bottom line is there are two types of owners. One guys wants it to fit exactly like the original, and doesn't mind paying a little more for a perfect fit. They might also put a dollar value on the time it takes to convert and add that to the total cost.
The other guy doesn't mind working a little harder to save a buck, and/or doesn't care about modifying things. Nothing wrong with either philosophy.