radiator replace or recore

[Lynn L.]

1960 290 hp corvette, vin 3472 Feb 8th build, Considering purchasing a Dewitts restoration radiator or recore original radiator. I have a 3747516 with sight window and 5 ribs ( and leaks!)
Recommendations on recore or Dewitts purchase? Would the Sight plug, 5 rib ( "3rd design") be correct for vin? Appreciate Help!

[Joe L.]

Re: radiator replace or recore

1960 290 hp corvette, vin 3472 Feb 8th build, Considering purchasing a Dewitts restoration radiator or recore original radiator. I have a 3747516 with sight window and 5 ribs ( and leaks!)
Recommendations on recore or Dewitts purchase? Would the Sight plug, 5 rib ( "3rd design") be correct for vin? Appreciate Help!

Lynn------


I think you mean 3147516. Anyway, I don't think this radiator can be re-cored. If it could be done, all you would save from the original radiator would be the top tank and I don't know that DeWitts sells the radiator minus the top tank.

[Mike M.]

Re: radiator replace or recore

go with dewitts. mike

[Richard M.]

Re: radiator replace or recore

They cannot be re-cored. Dewitt's has a write up on their website somewhere about original stacked aluminum radiators, and I talked to Tom several years ago about it. Harrison originally used a heated salt bake process when they stacked the cores. If it's filled with anti-corrosive fluid it'll last a long time. If it's stored dry for a long period it'll eat itself to death. My Feb built '63 had it's original 63A radiator when I sold the car a few years ago. It's still leak-free.

I learned my lesson the hard way when I bought a used rad for my '62 project a few years ago. When I tested it, it sprung about 3 leaks. Brought it to a aluminum welder. He repaired the leaks. Had it retested, leaked in different places. Had those repaired. Then leaked in different areas again. I paid $50 for repairs, and $90 for the rad. It's now $140 worth of garage wall art.

I just installed this Dewitt's Top Tank in a very late June built '60. I never saw a real one, but this reproduction sure looks good. It's very well made. If you have good side brackets, save them. His reproductions are nice but not exactly the same. The vertical corners are a sharper bend than the curvy originals. But at least they're available. The original side brackets on this car were badly corroded and couldn't be salvaged.

Rich
edit...note I reversed the 4 bolts holding the side brackets to the radiator core as shown in the 2nd photo. I had a 50-50 chance when I bolted it together. The nuts need to face toward the rear of the car. If not, when you go to slide the rad into the rad support, the extended ends of the bolts hit the horizontal support bar. Also note that soft rubber pads line the inside brackets, and just get the 4 bolts snug. Don't overtighten.

[Richard M.]

Re: radiator replace or recore

Side bracket differences shown below. Note the vertical bends and how they are a slow rounded curve on the originals. The reproduction has a more squared bend.

The repros in these photos were the early type without captive the 5/16-18 captive insert retainers for the attachment to the rad. And they're actually two rights. Years ago these were purchased by the owner and when we opened the box for a test fit we discovered the ooops. I called and emailed pics to Dewitt's asking for a swap witha expected charge for the time lag. They graciously swapped them out at no charge for us, years later, stating it was their ooops when they got boxed! A testament to their customer service which is one of the best around.

Rich

[Richard M.]

Re: radiator replace or recore

Started new thread about the radiator part# above in my pictures for hijack avoidance....

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...451#post678451

Rich