'57 Radiator

[Gary J.]

I am helping a friend with a '57 fuel car. He is trying to decide which of DeWitts radiator to use and and to keep the point lost to a miniumn.

He can order a direct fit which is all aluimum or he can order just the core. I would think that if he ordered just the core that he would be fine. This way he could still use his orginal tanks from his old radiator.

Does he go with the direct fit for better cooling and point loss or recore the orginal?

[Alexander C.]

Re: '57 Radiator

If I had it to do again, I would simply recore my original. I instead ordered the other just to get back on the road sooner and it was mistake. It is NOT direct fit as some of the mounting holes need to be aligned in a different manner than original, which they don't tell you until you contact them with a problem when installing.

My original is still waiting for me to re-core it but that is going to be years considering what a PITA is was to install the DeWitts.

Plus if you recore you can keep the original dated tag installed.

[Bruce B.]

Re: '57 Radiator

My 57 Corvette 250 HP, Powerglide fuel car has the original radiator and it runs just fine without overheating. I had the radiator boiled out and tested and have never had a problem.

[Steven B.]

Re: '57 Radiator

My massaged '57 2X4 has original radiator with no overheating. I bought an original '57 radiator as a back-up if I ever need it.

Steve

[John S.]

Re: '57 Radiator

i have used the dewitts cores on on a 55 and a 270hp 59 and both have no problems in 90 plus degree weather. i have also used the direct fit on a 55 with no noticeable difference from the ones i had recored. as for fit of a direct fit radiator, i have no problem. the core support is made to work on 55 to 60 corvettes. the difference in a 55-57 core support and a 58-60 is that the 55-57 support is approximately 1 inch taller with a hole for the hood pop-up. dewitts radiators are the shorter 58-60 style which can not be seen when installed. on the direct fit you need to hold the nuts on top rather than having them tacked in place like the original.

[Thomas D.]

Re: '57 Radiator

i have used the dewitts cores on on a 55 and a 270hp 59 and both have no problems in 90 plus degree weather. i have also used the direct fit on a 55 with no noticeable difference from the ones i had recored. as for fit of a direct fit radiator, i have no problem. the core support is made to work on 55 to 60 corvettes. the difference in a 55-57 core support and a 58-60 is that the 55-57 support is approximately 1 inch taller with a hole for the hood pop-up. dewitts radiators are the shorter 58-60 style which can not be seen when installed. on the direct fit you need to hold the nuts on top rather than having them tacked in place like the original.

Thank you, well done