Thoughts on Dewitts radiator fit.

[Mark E.]

Re: Thoughts on Dewitts radiator fit.

Mark------


No, it can't. In this case, the old radiator is a copper/brass replacement radiator. There's nothing to say that such a radiator is dimensionally identical to the original 3155316 aluminum radiator. It may or may not be. This is especially true of early copper/brass replacements (which this radiator almost certainly is). Some of those I've seen were really crude.

My bad. Here's an example of poor reading comprehension on my part- the aluminum radiator point went past my head.

DeWitt should be able to confirm the quality of this radiator. During manufacture, they build these to several critical dimensions. Maybe DeWitt can share what those are so the OP can compare it to the one they shipped to him. If the new radiator is within Dewitt's specs, that narrows down the problem to improper installation, or issues with the car's dimensions/configuration, or incorrect manufacturing specs used by Dewitt.

[Joe L.]

Re: Thoughts on Dewitts radiator fit.

My bad. Here's an example of poor reading comprehension on my part- the aluminum radiator point went past my head.

DeWitt should be able to confirm the quality of this radiator. During manufacture, they build these to several critical dimensions. Maybe DeWitt can share what those are so the OP can compare it to the one they shipped to him. If the new radiator is within Dewitt's specs, that narrows down the problem to improper installation, or issues with the car's dimensions/configuration, or incorrect manufacturing specs used by Dewitt.

Mark------


If DeWitts makes one reproduction 3155316 radiator which meets original specs and fits properly (and, apparently, they do based upon the reports of several others that have installed them), then all the ones they manufacture should be likewise. It's not as if each of the components of the radiators are hand-crafted and thus subject to variation.

[Paul O.]

Re: Thoughts on Dewitts radiator fit.

Rick

Not sure if this is the problem. Went to Dewitt's web site I do not see a part # 242000 the correct radiator is listed as Model: 941. The part number (3155316) is stamped into the top left of the radiator.

[Mark E.]

Re: Thoughts on Dewitts radiator fit.

Mark------

If DeWitts makes one reproduction 3155316 radiator which meets original specs and fits properly (and, apparently, they do based upon the reports of several others that have installed them), then all the ones they manufacture should be likewise. It's not as if each of the components of the radiators are hand-crafted and thus subject to variation.

Joe,

All processes suffer variation. The Six-Sigma guys and Industrial Engineers make a living by helping companies design and manage processes so they perform to the quality standards required. Some process types tend to have more variation than others; metal fab is one of the most challenging.

This means no two manufactured items are identical. If one is out of spec and slips past QC, it may not fit. Even if within spec, the OP may be suffering from tolerance stacking resulting in a poor fit.

(BTW- I don't know Dewitt's manufacturing processes, but like most fab shops, most likely involves manual steps ("hand-crafted"). I've seen labor intensive processes managed with excellent quality and I've seen highly automated process out of control.)

To the OP, this means Dewitt's knows the critical dimensions. It may be worthwhile to see if the problem radiator is within those specs.

[Joe L.]

Re: Thoughts on Dewitts radiator fit.

Joe,

All processes suffer variation. The Six-Sigma guys and Industrial Engineers make a living by helping companies design and manage processes so they perform to the quality standards required. Some process types tend to have more variation than others; metal fab is one of the most challenging.

This means no two manufactured items are identical. If one is out of spec and slips past QC, it may not fit. Even if within spec, the OP may be suffering from tolerance stacking resulting in a poor fit.

(BTW- I don't know Dewitt's manufacturing processes, but like most fab shops, most likely involves manual steps ("hand-crafted"). I've seen labor intensive processes managed with excellent quality and I've seen highly automated process out of control.)

To the OP, this means Dewitt's knows the critical dimensions. It may be worthwhile to see if the problem radiator is within those specs.

Mark-------


Yes, there could be some variation from piece-to-piece but I'd say such variation would be measured in thousands of an inch. I highly doubt that the DeWitts radiators would suffer the kind of variation that would result in the fitment shown in the original photo in this thread.

[Mark E.]

Re: Thoughts on Dewitts radiator fit.

Mark-------


Yes, there could be some variation from piece-to-piece but I'd say such variation would be measured in thousands of an inch. I highly doubt that the DeWitts radiators would suffer the kind of variation that would result in the fitment shown in the original photo in this thread.

You have more confidence than I in a manufacturing process neither of us has seen. I've worked with many manufacturing companies, and witnessed bigger surprises. Stuff happens.

[Joe L.]

Re: Thoughts on Dewitts radiator fit.

You have more confidence than I in a manufacturing process neither of us has seen. I've worked with many manufacturing companies, and witnessed bigger surprises. Stuff happens.

Mark------


Part of my confidence stems from the fact that I've never heard of a single problem with the fitment of a DeWitts reproduction radiator.

[Rick T.]

Re: Thoughts on Dewitts radiator fit.

Rick

Not sure if this is the problem. Went to Dewitt's web site I do not see a part # 242000 the correct radiator is listed as Model: 941. The part number (3155316) is stamped into the top left of the radiator.

Sorry for the confusion Paul. My Model number is 941. The part number I listed (242000) is actually what Corvette Central uses to designate that item when you order from them.

[Rick T.]

Re: Thoughts on Dewitts radiator fit.

Rick------


If you're talking about the reproduction of the GM #3155316 radiator, that radiator does not have tanks on the side or anywhere else.

Thanks Joe. I think maybe I'm just using the wrong terminology. If you measure just the finned middle section of the radiator, without the end pieces or the hose connection that sticks out of the bottom, then the measurement I was quoted matches up, 18.5 by 16.7 inches. It also fits the width of the core support perfectly. The problem is with the hight.

[Rick T.]

Re: Thoughts on Dewitts radiator fit.

Here is an update and some more information on this radiator issue. I checked out the pictures that Patrick Hulst has posted on his 72 Bowtie award vehicle and the shots of the radiator look exactly like the one I received from Dewitts. I know there is no way to get a measurement off the pictures but the rough size, shape, and the bottom hose connection match up with mine exactly, so thanks Patrick!!!

The replacement copper radiator we removed is almost an inch taller than the aluminum one from Dewitts. Our theory is that when the copper one was put in, the shop may have had to bend the bottom brackets down a little to make it fit. You can see from my original pic that the brackets have a cup shape to them and the seem to be a little concave. This may be why the lower hose attachment hits the body panel before the pins sit down into the cups.

I think I'm going to try to tap those brackets up a little or maybe get a block of wood under them and jack it up to see if I can get them to move up. Even if I get half an inch that might make all the difference.

I will let you know when we break something..... I mean, I will let you know how it goes.

[Rick T.]

Re: Thoughts on Dewitts radiator fit.

You have more confidence than I in a manufacturing process neither of us has seen. I've worked with many manufacturing companies, and witnessed bigger surprises. Stuff happens.

Hey Mark, I totally see what you are saying and even talked to Dewitts about this. I don't know much about radiator manufacturing but the tech I was talking to said on the radiators they "build" the potential for a mistake is there, but very rare. However, on this radiator, since it is a GM licensed replacement they use a template (maybe he said stamping?) that is original to what GM used to make these radiators. Therefore all of them come out exactly the same and if mine doesn't fit then other people should've been having issues too. I have to side with Joe on this one.

[Jim D.]

Re: Thoughts on Dewitts radiator fit.

. I have to side with Joe on this one.

I do as well. DeWitts radiators are the best available and as I previously stated, I've bought 5 of them and each and every one of the fit perfectly and the workmanship was flawless.

[Leif A.]

Re: Thoughts on Dewitts radiator fit.

I think I can speak for everyone on this forum who has ever had any dealing with Tom DeWitt and his fantastic products. I, for one, only wish there were more "Made in USA" products, with the quality and integrity and fitment of DeWitt's products. You would here a lot less moaning and groaning over the fitment of "repro" products, if that were the case.