67 radiator

[Justin N.]

Dear Members,
I recently purchased my 67 327 coupe with a copper/brass replacement radiator. I talked with Tommy Dewitt the other day about his products, totally cool guy! I want to install an original aluminum unit, but it's quite costly. I read that they help to lower temperatures tremendously. Should I ditch the brass one and just bite the bullet? Thank you much

Justin

[Joe L.]

Re: 67 radiator

Justin------

ABSOLUTELY YES!!!!

[Tom Merkel]

Re: 67 radiator

Justin - Do it. Believe me.

Tom

[Karl #35089]

Re: 67 radiator

Justin: I had a 40+ year-old original top tank radiator and really just inquired about how to clean it, etc. Joe, Duke, and others here advised me to replace it. I had a real hard time prying my wallet open at the time, but, you know, they were right. I've never regretted buying the DeWitts. I'd say just get it done and you'll not have to worry about it again.

Regards,
Karl

[Jim T.]

Re: 67 radiator

Justin back in 1974 I replaced my original owner 68's 327/350 HP aluminum radiator with a copper/brass replacement for two reasons. The radiator shop said he could not fix the leak and the only source of an aluminum radiator for the 68 was the GM Chevrolet dealer. I chose the copper/brass replacement because of cost. In 74 you could buy a used 68 Corvette for $2,500.00. The copper/brass radiator in my original owner 70 Corvette had no problems cooling in Dallas,TX hot summers using the factory air conditioning in stop and go traffic was reinforcement in my decision.
I am still using the same copper/brass radiator that I bought in 1974 and installed in the 1968. Have had no over heating problems.
One of the hottest road trips was back in 1999 leaving Corvette Museum afer participating in the 1999 Corvette Caravan from Nashville to Bowling Green. The return trip home tempertures were over 100 rolling down the interstate 70-74 in the 68 and very uncomfortable inside tempertature in hot 2PM afternoon sun. The temp guage on the 68 stayed about 210 which was unusual. Most other highway driving experiences the temp would be lower than this.
I would lose points if my car was to be judged someday becasue it does not have the original aluminum radiator. It is your personal perference to spend the money on a new aluminum radiator, but my personal experience of using the same copper/brass replacement radiator for 30 years has been good.
Dewitt's reproduction amuminum radiators have to be a very good product and Corvette owners are fortunate to have a vender to supply their needs.

[Mike McKown]

I would suggest you drive it and see if you

have a cooling problem before arbitrarily throw down that kind of money for a problem that may not exist.

In my own case, I was forced to replace my '65 original radiator last year. I found a copper replacement made by I don't know who, it was a year old and I paid $100 for it. It looks as original as any copper replacement. My temp guage reads right at 190 in warm weather and doesn't go past 200 in hot weather.

My reasoning for this purchase was that I seldom drive this car and when I do, it will not be very long, very often when the weather is really hot. Inside cockpit temp gets too hot for me. Consequently, I feel I made the right decision for the way I use my car.

If I was to be involved in parade driving or heavy traffic in hot weather, I'd jump on the DeWitt radiator. It's your money.

[Timothy B.]

Re: 67 radiator

I recently purchased a Dewitts radiator for my 67 327 to replace the copper unit and I works great. I haven't had the opportunity to test it in hot weather yet, but my impression is that it runs cooler. Quality is excellent.

I would go with the Dewitts, but remember that if you want to save money that there are other aluminum replacements out there that would be better than copper ones. Dewitts sells one also.

[Brian Monticello]

Re: 67 radiator

Justin,
I have a beat up old copper brass replacement and run about 210 in 85 degree weather and 215 in 95 heat so I'm in the market for a new radiator too. I hear nothing but rave reviews on the DeWitt radiators but am not ruling out other options since i'm not concerned with origiality - just fit and function.

Here's a midyear aluminum radiator on EBAY for just over $350 shipped. I think it looks pretty nice but need to do some more research.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33602&item=2461273732

just another option
Brian

[Brian Monticello]

Re: 67 radiator

I just noticed it doesn't have a fitting for the surge tank - scratch that idea!

Brian

[Patrick T.]

Re: 67 radiator

I still have my original aluminum Harrison radiator in my small block '67 and have had no problems with it. PT