Radiator Advice

Daniel B

Daniel B

CCCUK Member
I'm looking to get a replacement radiator and its turning into a bit of a minefield so reaching out for a bit of advice...

I've got a small block 72 with what is now a 383, on an auto box with AC. Unfortunately the radiator is leaking and its just that little bit too much for me to turn a blind eye to so I'm assessing my options. Since removal appears to be quite a procedure compared to rads I've done in the past I've decided to replace it completely with new rather than try and fix it, so I'm looking for replacements.

I've checked through all the documentation history I have for the vehicle (it appears to be comprehensive) and all I can find was a radiator refurbish in 1996, so from what I can tell this is the original that is fitted. However it doesn't appear to match what I'm seeing online?

The rads shown online for a 72 SB C3 appear to look like this but this is nothing like mine; its narrower, there's no transmission cooler, there is no filler cap and the pipe exits are in the wrong place. I'm presuming it must be for the manual maybe?

1781339706704.png

In fact one of the very few radiators I can find online that is anything like mine is this Cold Case CHV714A which is interestingly listed for a 69-72 SB but as we know websites often use generic photos so who knows if what I am looking at is what they are selling.
1781339639848.png
The way I am identifying it as matching mine is:
Filler cap present and in the right place.
Inlet and outlets pointing in the right direction.
Both transmission cooler points are between filler and outlet on the right.
Drain plug in the right place.

So I guess my questions are...

Does my C3 actually have the original radiator or has it got and upgraded one or one from a later/different model?
(I think it is original as the later models appear to have one of the transmission cooler connections below the outlet?)

Can anyone recommend a source of a replacement radiator or will I need to either battle with the Chinesium on ebay/amazon or import the Cold Case from the states?

UPDATE: I got a couple of prices from UK suppliers for the Cold Case; one was super crazy high, one wasn't too bad but the Cold Case is quite expensive to begin with and I have no idea if they are actually any good.
 
johng

johng

CCCUK Member
If you post a photo of your current radiator, people can help letting you know if it is the original.
I fitted what I imagine is a Chinesiem radiator from ebay to my 78 three years ago and it has been fine. the only problem was that the threaded holes for the transmission cooler were a different size. They provided new adaptors to fit the thread, but these were a straight fitting and the originals had a 90 degree bend. This meant there wasn't enough room to fit the hoses. I just moved the radiator forward, but there are probably 90 degree fittings available somewhere.
This one looks like the Cold Case one but is significantly cheaper.
Radiator Corvette 69-72
 
Daniel B

Daniel B

CCCUK Member
The one you linked looks like a later one as the water outlet and transmission cooler outlet are the wrong way around (bottom right).

I've not taken it out yet so not got photos other than from under the bonnet. But heres what I have...
 

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Daniel B

Daniel B

CCCUK Member
LOL I just rechecked the link you sent.
The first image is wrong but the third is correct!
They don't like to make life easy do they 🤣
 
Roscobbc

Roscobbc

Moderator
Fist year C3 (my car) is known for potential cooling issues......so when the 427 was swapped out for a higher hp engine those issues become really challenging. I chose some 12 years ago to source an aluminium OEM styled rad from Dewitt's in the 'states. I expect this would be about £700/£800 to bring over now but they are universally known as being the very best in the business. Mine is great - a perfect fit it copes with close to 600 hp quite well.....however there are other areas that might also need your attention - so water pump, seals around the radiator, thermostat, removal of crud in engine block galleries, etc, etc.
 
Daniel B

Daniel B

CCCUK Member
You have a close to 600hp C3, wow I bet that's quite something!

The lump in mine was completely stripped and rebuilt in 2006 when the 383 was done, I think they did the water pump as well, I'll check the receipts. It's not done many miles since and seems fairly clean so fingers crossed not too much extra work to do. It seems to cope ok currently unless I'm caught in traffic for a long time then it gets a bit warm.

With reference to importing from the states, my understanding is it's not fun at the moment so I'm trying to avoid it if I can.
 
Roscobbc

Roscobbc

Moderator
Daniel B said:
You have a close to 600hp C3, wow I bet that's quite something!

The lump in mine was completely stripped and rebuilt in 2006 when the 383 was done, I think they did the water pump as well, I'll check the receipts. It's not done many miles since and seems fairly clean so fingers crossed not too much extra work to do. It seems to cope ok currently unless I'm caught in traffic for a long time then it gets a bit warm.

With reference to importing from the states, my understanding is it's not fun at the moment so I'm trying to avoid it if I can.
Click to expand...
There are companies that have containers coming over to the UK from the 'States which can minimise costs.....if you can wait a few weeks or so. And, yes mine will get hot in traffic jams etc during the summer months, very hot in fac......but doesn't actually overheat as such, generally remaining around 160/170 normally and usually below 200/210 real worst car scenarios in summer traffic jams. Re-starts are the issue for me.
 
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