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...
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20260613_105956_Photos.jpg
    Screenshot_20260613_105956_Photos.jpg
    398.5 KB · Views: 6
  • Screenshot_20260613_105924_Photos.jpg
    Screenshot_20260613_105924_Photos.jpg
    146.1 KB · Views: 6
  • Screenshot_20260613_105856_Photos.jpg
    Screenshot_20260613_105856_Photos.jpg
    387.3 KB · Views: 6
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.
 
Forrest Gump

Forrest Gump

CCCUK regional rep
johng said:
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
Click to expand...
I know some of the race guys that we were watching at Speedfest last week use these Eastern European / Chinese radiators without problem. If they can handle the punishment of a race car install and high horsepower cooling then they can’t be too bad.
The fit is another matter of course if it’s an aftermarket rad coupled with all the Corvette year/spec variations.
 
Last edited:
Daniel B

Daniel B

CCCUK Member
Yeah Chinese stuff can be really good. I don't have a heap of experience with car parts but I know from using Ali Express for electronics goods/components some Chinese stuff can be amazing but also some can be bad. It's trying to figure out which is which that's the challenge.

I think I'm going to contact that company in the link John sent and check that first image is incorrect, then if it is I will order that. I just need to check those measurements first as soon as I get chance today.
 
Daniel B

Daniel B

CCCUK Member
If anyone is interested I confirmed with the seller and the 3rd photo of that one on SpeedingParts is indeed correct and the opening photo was wrong.
Since they bothered to answer my emails and seemed helpful I thought I will give it ago, especially as I couldnt find anyone else that wasn't well over £400.
Radiator Corvette 69-72

I'll bench test it for leaks as best I can before I install it, that way at least I wont end up wasting my time if it is bad.

The only issue is they are shipping via UPS and not prepaying VAT so I will get clobbered by taxes, duty and handling fees but if my maths is right it should be about £50.

Fingers crossed!
 
Daniel B

Daniel B

CCCUK Member
So, the radiator arrived (actually pretty quickly) and I finished it all up last weekend (just in time for the Nationals!)
Its all functioning perfectly and appears to keeps my 383 cool no issues.
However, it wasn't without a few challenges along the way though!

Before I even started the project I realised it wasn't going to be easy having a car with both AC and an auto but a few things made it harder than it should have been....

1. The water hose at the base of the radiator touched the anti-roll bar.
After looking online and trying various options I decided to do the spacers on the roll bar bushes trick which worked really well and solved the problem completely. (It may have even been the case this problem was present on the old radiator which may have been what caused the issue in the first place.)

2. The radiator was thinner than the original.
This means I had to modified the radiator hangers to have buffers to stop it moving (not that it was going to anyway, seemed pretty cosy in there).

3. The top of the radiator is angular rather than curved like the original, this caused it to foul with the hood.
To solve this I had to make a minor adjustment to the hood liner.

4. The supplied transmission fluid hose barb adaptors didn't have enough thread to go into the radiator deep enough for the conical seat to seal tightly.
This resulted in a slow leak on my first test drive. I solved this my simply using the original fittings from the old radiator.

The new radiator
20260622_112711~3.jpg
Touching the roll bar!
20260628_205850~2.jpg
Home made spacers
20260630_175409~2.jpg
Solved!
20260702_185640.jpg
Upper bracket modification for thinner radiator (far bracket modified)
20260630_184054~2.jpg
Lower bracket with rubber spacer modification in place
20260702_184741.jpg
The leaky supplied hose barb
20260704_192751.jpg
All done!
20260702_201951.jpg

It was one of those projects which was a bit troublesome and hard work but very satisfying to see a dry floor under the car now!!!
 
Daniel B

Daniel B

CCCUK Member
I guess the next question is, what to do with this???
Anyone want an original radiator, I think you can re-core them right?
 

Attachments

  • 20260709_152725.jpg
    20260709_152725.jpg
    439.8 KB · Views: 4
Roscobbc

Roscobbc

Moderator
I gained a lot of experience relating to cooling my stroker installation. One thing worth remembering is that rather than trying to achieve a relatively large temperature reduction in one go.......far better to aim for several differing things, each with perhaps only a degree or two in temperature reduction. Four or five changes, each achieving only one or two degrees each.....could result in a total of 7 or 8 degrees......a worthwhile reduction.
One of the things most people perhaps laugh about or disbelieve is Redline Water Wetter. Its emulsive qualities in coolant of perhaps a couple of small containers added to fresh coolant (so a 50/50 mix) reduced the temperature of my engine by two degrees. It is worthwhile checking-out the water pump impeller for signs of cavitation wear or damage.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top