69 SB radiator

[Kenneth Girven (31871)]

Hello all,

I have a 1969 350/350 hp 4 speed with a/c that is nearing completeion (finally!)It has a july 17th 1969 build date. I am unsure what radiator to get for the car (brass/copper etc) Are there exact reproductions for this? or a good replacement? Or what would the best PERFORMING (cooling)radiator available. Appreciate any suggestions as the catalogues dont seem to have any listings for my applications. TIA

Kenny #31817

[Walt McGaw]

Re: 69 SB radiator

Kenny,

From your post it sounds like you don't have the original radiator? If you do, I'd take your radiator to a radiator shop and have them go over it. My car (72 SB which was a factory air car) had a leak at the drivers side of the radiator. The shop removed the tanks and determined that the core header on that side was cracked. They could solder it, but wouldn't guarantee it. I opted to have them replace the core with a matching one and that cost about $170.00. They were able to use my original tanks.

The think to keep in mind is that the core for a air car is 4 rows deep (the thickest that came in the Corvette I'm told). If you have your radiator and it is a 4 core setup, you'd probably be better off having it serviced at a reputable radiator shop.

If you don't have your original, then someone else will have to offer advice on a replacement for you.

Walt

[Joe Lucia (12484)]

Re: 69 SB radiator

Kenny------

Your car was originally fitted with a copper/brass radiator of GM #3018802. This radiator had a 26" core width. The GM #3018803 was replaced for SERVICE many years ago by the GM #3018802 which is an identical radiator except that it has fittings for transmission oil cooler for automatics. For manual trans applications the fittings are left plugged.

Unfortunately, the 3018802 radiator was also discontinued years ago and is difficult to locate. As far as I know, there are NO exact reproductions of either the 3018802 or the 3018803 radiators available. However, replacements are available. Dr. Rebuild sells a replacement for the 3018803 radiator under his catalog number 1219522. I don't think that this is a reproduction radiator, per se, but is a replacement radiator which will SERVICE your application.

Another option is to use your original or find an original 3018803 or 3018802 radiator and have it re-cored. Then, you will have a nearly originally configured unit with correct side tanks. However, if you don't currently have one for re-coring, a used unit will be difficult to locate and, likely, expensive. Then, you'll need to have it re-cored.

The best cooling radiator for your application will be a Griffin aluminum replacement radiator. This will provide considerably better cooling than the original radiator and will be a "direct fit" installation. However, it will not be correct in configuration/appearance and, even if painted black as the original radiator, will not fool any judges. These radiators are available from Dewitts at www. dewitts.com.