Point deduction for radiator

[Chris L.]

Having been informed by Dewitt's (radiator repair shop recommended by this board) that an original 67 BB radiator can not be "recored", I am wondering how much of a deduction in flight judging a "new" or "reproduction" radiator gets. Thanks

[Joe C.]

Why not?

Aren't the cores available? Tom shows them as available for $289.

Joe

[Dave Suesz]

I had the same diagnosis...

on a '66 A/C radiator. Years of corrosion had slowly etched the tanks so thin they could not reliably accept a new core.

[Joe L.]

Re: Point deduction for radiator

Chris-----

Although you haven't indicated that you're doing so, if DeWitts has inspected your tanks and finds them unsatisfactory for re-core, I wouldn't second guess them. Originality is great but RELIABILITY is WAY, WAY more important (assuming that you want to DRIVE the car, especially a good distance from home). You could look for another original radiator, pay big bucks for it, and, then, find out it's got the same problems as the one you have.

I don't know what the deduct is for reproduction cores/tanks. If they can't be detected, then there's NO deduction. I inspected Toms pieces when I was at Carlisle this year and also at Bloomington last year. They all look real good to me. Whether there is some nuance of difference that I didn't pick up on, I don't know. I didn't have my microscope with me.

[Dick W.]

Re: Point deduction for radiator

You could shop the bone yards for a radiator from a GM of the same vintage. It is possible to find tanks that are the same, but with different necks. I have not researched by radiator core books, but I would have to assume that the core is not unique to Corvette. The top bar can be removed and installed on another core. All it takes is patience and money

[Joe C.]

I Repeat. Why Not?

Tom DeWitt is, in my opinion, an honest man, and thus not inclined to exaggeration. He seems honestly committed to helping the customer do the job "right", and so I am interested in knowing why you were advised against recoring your brass/copper rad.
In your original post, you stated that "an original 67 BB radiator can not be "recored"". This sounds like a blanket statement, and does not indicate that your tanks failed an examination. Please let us know.

Joe

PS: I assume that it is not an L88 aluminum rad.

[Chris L.]

Re: I Repeat. Why Not?

Joe...I'm not sure "why" as I had not indicated any thing actually wrong with it. My question to them was " can you recore my original BB radiator" and their response was " no.. not recommended"

[Joe C.]

Re: I Repeat. Why Not?

OK Chris. "Not recommended" sounds more accurate than "cannot". Now, it's your call. I would remove and examine those tanks carefully. You might be pleasantly surprised. If they are OK, you stand to save yourself at least $300.

Joe

[Eugene B.]

Re: Question still not answered

Chris,
I have been watching your post with interest. It seems like you asked a simple question and did not get a definative answer. Only went off on several tangents.

The simple question was: How much of a deduction ... does a "new" or "repro." radiator get? Still a good question and I would also like to know the answer.

Regards,
Gene