Radiator: Repair or Replace???

[William M.]

The original radiator in my 73 LS4 coupe has developed a small leak - a couple of drips after driving from the lower driver's side corner. No it's not coming from the hose, it's the radiator.
Being my car is a survivor (i.e. original paint, original interior, original drivetrain) I'd like to keep things as original as possible. Do I repair it or replace it?

[Robert R.]

Re: Radiator: Repair or Replace???

Bill,
It depends on where it is leaking. If in the core, you may have to replace it as it is a 35 year old piece. Being a brass radiator does help with the repair option. Besides, if you want to drive her regularly, you don't want to be worried as to how far you can go before you spring another leak and have it spray your engine compartment.
Bob

[Joe L.]

Re: Radiator: Repair or Replace???

The original radiator in my 73 LS4 coupe has developed a small leak - a couple of drips after driving from the lower driver's side corner. No it's not coming from the hose, it's the radiator.
Being my car is a survivor (i.e. original paint, original interior, original drivetrain) I'd like to keep things as original as possible. Do I repair it or replace it?

Bill-----


I would forget trying to repair the core. Even if you're successful in getting the CURRENT leak repaired, the chances are the next one will "sprout" soon. However, you have the best of all worlds available to you. You can purchase a new reproduction core for your application from DeWitts. Then, have a quality radiator shop transfer your tanks to the new core. Presto---you have an as-new radiator in BOTH configuration AND function that you won't have to worry about "on the road".

[William M.]

Re: Radiator: Repair or Replace???

Bill-----


I would forget trying to repair the core. Even if you're successful in getting the CURRENT leak repaired, the chances are the next one will "sprout" soon. However, you have the best of all worlds available to you. You can purchase a new reproduction core for your application from DeWitts. Then, have a quality radiator shop transfer your tanks to the new core. Presto---you have an as-new radiator in BOTH configuration AND function that you won't have to worry about "on the road".

Good advice, I'll check out DeWitts.

[Dick W.]

Re: Radiator: Repair or Replace???

Follow Joe's advice. I ran a radiator shop in another life, and trust me, GM did not use the best quality materials in that era. You are lucky to have it last that long.

[Thomas H.]

Re: Radiator: Repair or Replace???

Bill,

I also wrestled with repairing the original one or replacing it. I went with the repair. The leak was no longer there, but I fought a high temp issue for the better part of a summer. Fiddled with timing, made sure all of the foam was in place correctly around the radiator. I even ran temp sensor tests in our temperature chamber at work to verify it was operating correctly, but nothing seemed to help. I was not very comfortable driving it too far from home.

I finally broke down and bought a Dewitts unit. Replaced the rad support at the same time since it was rotting away. Lo and behold, the car runs much cooler now. I have yet to see the temp get near the 200's, which was very common before installing the Dewitts. They make a GREAT product, I am very satisified with it.

I put the original radiator in the box the Dewitts came in and put it in storage.

Tom

[Harmon C.]

Re: Radiator: Repair or Replace???

Save the metal tag if it is still on your radiator. If you have a local radiator shop you may want to check the price on a re-core where they furnish the new core. If the top is slightly different the cost may be lots less than showing up with your own parts for a point or two.

[William M.]

Re: Radiator: Repair or Replace???

The more I've thought about this, the more I've decided my primary goal is to preserve the original drivetrain best I can. These big blocks had marginal cooling ability when new, much less 35 years later. So I'll go with the DeWitts and have them coat it black to resemble stock. I'll of course save the original radiator.

[Robert R.]

Re: Radiator: Repair or Replace???

Bill,
You may be in for some "fun" on this project.
If I remember correctly, you radiator will not have a drain cock. So you may have to disconnect the lower hose to drain the fuids. Plus, when I redid my car, I had a heck of a time with the shroud coming out due to the fasteners needing some effort to loosen.
Bob

[Alan D.]

Re: Radiator: Repair or Replace???

Another way to drain the radiator is to use one of the drill pumps with a long hose inserted to the bottom of the radiator tank and pump it out. This will make it a little easier and less messy when removing the lower radiator hose.

[Joe L.]

Re: Radiator: Repair or Replace???

Another way to drain the radiator is to use one of the drill pumps with a long hose inserted to the bottom of the radiator tank and pump it out. This will make it a little easier and less messy when removing the lower radiator hose.

Alan-----


Definitely. That method works well BUT only for Corvette radiators that have integral filler necks. The majority of 63-72 Corvette radiators don't have integral filler becks, though. For 73-82 they all have them.