KED85

I know this is non F Body related.
BUT
I need more suggestions please.
Here's what it is.
My 1974 Corvette radiator has sprung a leak that I see.
That car probably posseses the original radiator, (really), from Aug 29th 1973 (build date).
Car has hair under 140K miles.....
I've read about Be Cool by Griffin, aluminum radiator.
I am going modern replacement aluminum.
Original radiators weigh SO MUCH (4 rows of brass & copper & BIG!). I am repairing the original & I'll box it up (hey $25, who cares!) for future NCRS shows. My car is still very original with many original assembly line parts.

Any other gear heads can offer a brand & place to shop.

I have to call for my pricing/needs
1. J & D Corvette (very good friends)
2. Orange Coast Corvette
3. US Radiator in Los Angeles
4. Your guys suggestions.

This radiator swap happens when I exchange engines in the Corvette, shortly.
I need port polish one more "186" head, then install valves, springs, on both heads. I am building a 1970 Corvette LT-1 engine (w/modern cam & lower compression ratio), which will eventually end up in my 1967 Camaro convertible RS/SS 4-speed.
I Need to finish body-frame rebuild on Camaro before the LT-1 engine get planted under that hood.

It's easy to break in a new engine, when the chassis is strong, as is my Corvette.
I found new steering boxes for my Corvette (better 12.1 ratio, too!) & need to swap in a newer 3:36 ratio rear gear with my differential rebuild.

Thanks for the suggestions!

Help keep the old Corvette legends on the road.
The Corvette turns FIFTY this coming year (2003).
One of the OLDEST automotive names out there.
Thunderbird is a very close second, but, name/auto was removed from production for I think 3 years.
GM GET THE HINT!

Anyone want a 1977 Corvette?
Last year of the "StingRay" name on Corvettes & Last year of the rear T-Top sail design.
IN pieces, $2500
SoCal location, low milage car.
You tow away.

Doward

Simple enough - Griffen Aluminum from Summit, $200.

Be aware, if you have an auto tranny, you'll need to get a tranny cooler too. Got the Griffen for my '77 Bird, works like a charm.

KED85

The Griffin rad doesn't have in tank tranny cooler?
Bad can't use it.
Must have the tranny line cooler in radiator.
Thanks for that knowledge,
That's why I'm asking here, new knowledge or a source.
I pray the radiator costs me $200

Doward

Why is that? I got a super heavy duty tranny cooler, with mounting kit, and mounted it to the front of the radiator (its got vibration pads and all) and just extended my tranny lines like a foot. Cost all of $60 maybe?

Really, for full aluminum cooling, $260 is not bad! Besides, you don't have to worry about the tranny line ever breaking inside the radiator, and making you replace the whole thing...

KED85

With Corvette, there is no room for anything (except a big block!)
Seriously,
IF I did install a tranny cooler, that would cut off air flow to something else & cause trouble.
I need a stock style radiator performing like that with the radiator mounted tranny cooler.

Doward

No no no.... trust me, even with a tranny cooler in front of the radiator, the difference in cooling capacity, brass vs Aluminum, will MORE than offset the 'blockage' of air. It's not even really blocked,.... it just gets a little warm as it passes through

AFreaknGoodTme

Karl, I made it back......For a little while anyway....

You deffinately dont want to block off any airflow on a vette radiator because of the angle in sets. Try a BeCool radiator with auto trans, but it'll cost you about $550.

Dean

KED85

Dean,
Thank you...
Hmmmm
Maybe I'll rebuild my steering box & save the extra for the radiator.
BeCool is the item I seek.....
Where was your price obtained?

I recall reading about BeCool in Corvette Fever but the ride was a mid 60's roadster.

How I know all to well about air flow and Corvettes.
My Style Corvette (shark era 1968-1982) was at the leading edge in car cooling technology back then. Corvettes don't have a front end (like a 1968 Camaro or 1975 Ford LTD Station Wagon). Air flow picked up off ground (original idea executed/designed perfectly on the 1962 Studebaker Avanti), just like on these third gen cars....
Thus you NEVER restrict air flow to a Corvette Radiator. And you make sure every factory designed air dam is in effect.
Even the front license plate makes my Corvette run about 5-10* hotter on some days, as it blocks the cooling air flow...

This new radiator replacment is my one time fix, before I go full on frame off one day in future....

I'M PRAYING MY RADIATOR CROSS BRACE STILL EXISTS.......

Project: 85 2.8 bird

a separate tranny would be a lot better.

1) your coolant would be cooler, as it wont have tha thot tranny fluid to cool off

2) wouldn't have to worry about anti-freeze/tranny fluid mixing in the case of the unthinkable.

3) tranny fluid will cool better by having the warm/hot anti-freeze around it.

this is a good set up for car not going to see snow/really cold weather, as trhe tranny fluid needs to maintain a certain viscosityand not get too cold.

p.s. the Avanti came out the same yr as the Cruiser I used to own, 63.

AFreaknGoodTme

I run BeCools in Two of my cars, both with auto trans. You don't have to worry about the quality of a BeCool rad mixing trans and antifreeze. My veete still has the stock Original radiator with 100% antifreeze mix that has always been maintained so there is absolutely no corrosion from water! It pumps out 540 hp and cooling is still not a problem even with just pure antifreeze (I run a fabricated eletric fan setup and housing- no more flex fans through the hood at 8500 rpms). Check out Summit for the Becool Rads.http://store.summitracing.com/partde...DC0D14DA994%7D

KED85

p.s. the Avanti came out the same yr as the Cruiser I used to own, 63.
Avanti was a 1962 model year car intro
Cruiser?
What "Cruiser" Olds Vista Cruiser or Mercury Turnpike Cruiser!

No the modern radiators won't fail.
In all my years never had a tranny & radiator break. Even with my original rad, stuff didn't mix & it's very close to thirty years old...
Serious, it has to be a one piece rad design which is why the extreme costs.
Corvette parts ain't cheap I already know that.

FOR RACING ONLY, totally agree on seprarate cooling tank items.

Thanks for the tips, tho
Keep em coming.
Sucks as this radiator leak may be the final tip to keep Corvette off road for a while....
I can't afford to loose the radiator cross member.
I have a big strike against me already, the Corvette lived in Iowa for 9 years.... undercoating is there, tho, but......
I doubt this radiator has ever been removed......

For those that don't know, Shark style Corvettes & radiator cross members....... The horror cross member rust stories you hear....
This one part is the reason why many frame off restorations of Corvettes start. You see rust here & ya know it's elsewhere....
Luckily, again, my Corvette frame was covered with rustcoating that tar stuff back in 1973 in Iowa. And I have checked my frame for rust (none!), but not yet there under that radiator.....

KED85

So far Griffin 6574AF is the leader
but
$600+
BeCool fits up to 1972
1974 is different. My year Corvettehas a unique radiator curved neck area.

bummer so far for BeCool

Check out this site for works of art.
www.dewitts.com

They sell their own & the Griffin.
See why I am going to have to pay for this item.
I want the 6574AF for four hundred cash.
They say $618 + shipping.
I wonder who will deal with me?

Know how much a percentage of front end weight I'll remove by going aluminum & the increase in cooling capacity?
Try alot and worth every penny.
This will be the last radiator I install in my Corvette.

Third gen ownership does have it's rewards.
Like buying $30 radiators and having ten to choose from! And radiator (wrecking yard style) removal in 2 mintues or less!

Project: 85 2.8 bird

my 63 Studebaker Cruiser, Lark style car:



1963 Avanti:


1957 GoldenHawk:

KED85

WHAT A TREAT TO SEE THESE RIDES!!!!
Forgot the 1954 Commando Skyliner (am I correct in that name)
Presidor to the Hawks
I think Raymond Lowey is a Freaking Genius.....
I could study his creations forever.....
For real Avanti's in 63?
Could sworn it was 1962 model car intro.

KED85

http://php.iupui.edu/~harrold/nash/avanti.html
1962 Avanti

I TOTALLY FORGOT ABOUT THE LARK CRUISERS!!!!!!

http://www.theavanti.com/Production.html

Now I know why I knew of 1962 Avanti's

Project: 85 2.8 bird

where'd you you find that info? All the info I've found, including the "mighty" chiltons big bok shows the Avanti in 63. Also, 63 was the last year of American built Studes, 64-67 in canada. The Cruier was their long wheelbase car, 120", 289 2bb , posi rear, alternator & FRONT WHEEL DISC brakes.

I still want a Hawk though

KED85

You inspired me!
I started looking up Avanti
I once test drove a 1970 Avanti w/the 350 LT-1 in it & it was NICE!!
Tried to order a 1976 Avanti new, still have order typed up, awaiting payment & trade in of the 1974 Corvette we had bought recently!

I love Avanti's
Hope you have fun checking out the websites I listed.
I discovered there isn't any model year 1962 Avanti's. The car was introduced as a 1963 model year car in June of 1962!
Dick Van Dykes 1963 Avanti is located at the Petersen museum, too.

Raymond Loewy is a Freaking Genius!

I still seek to buy the duplicate of the real life Steam Train Loewy designed (the Deco Styled Bullet Nose train) and Lionel Train made (model GG-1).

AFreaknGoodTme

Sorry Ked I misread your year to a '70. I see that was the year of the motor your building. didn't realize you had a '74

Project: 85 2.8 bird

couple things for ya:

1. water wetter

2. BE Cool aluminum radiator, 69-82, auto trans, natural finish, p/n BEC-62029 , per my 2000 P.A.W. catalog. 32"x19"

3. Barring all of that, also inthe P.A.W. catalog, a 2 pass power steering coller w/3/8" hose. 2 1/2" H x 9" L x 3/4" W. might work. p/n HAY-1009

P.A.W. in Chaatsworth CA, 91311
# 818-678-30000

KED85

PAW is very close by me.
Chatting with a guy from BeCool about their radiators, too.
Asked a Corvette shop in the valley (has a picture of Bruce Willis saying thanks & outside has a pretty 67 & 82 Collectors Edition Corvette (I want those CE wheels!).
He never heard of Griffin radiators yet he calls his vendor & he says $625.
I'm off to J & D shortly...........

FYI
Funny thing about the 1967 Corvette out front
It has a real Black Plate made of California state prision metal.
Front....
Is a fake plastic Black & Gold plate, he doesn't have real one anymore.