1970 radiator

[Scott #37632]

I am replacing the radiator on my 1970 coupe, L-46 350 and M-20 4speed transmission. The existing radiator is a 4 row core with dimensions 17x26x2 5/8". The books I have seem to indicate that this radiator is for a small block automatic transmission car, but I know the history on this vette and I don't think the radiator has been replaced. In addition, the existing brackets seem to fit this size. Are my reference books incorrect or do I have the wrong radiator? Thank you

[Peter B.]

Re: 1970 radiator

Don't know, but I have a 71 and when replacing my radiator, the books were really tough to figure out. I even had a radiator expert help. I ended up re-coring the radiator.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1970 radiator

Scott-----

You very likely have the correct radiator for your car. 1970 Corvettes with L-46 were supplied with 2 different radiators. Some cars received aluminum radiator GM #3155316, the same radiator used for base engine cars with manual transmission. Other L-46's received the copper brass radiator, GM #3018803. This radiator is virtually identical with the GM #3018802 radiator used for small blocks with THM. If your radiator is original to the car, it will be the 3018803 which can be identified by its having NO auto tranmission oil cooler fittings on the right side tank (if present, these will appear as round, flat discs where the plugs cap the fittings). In later SERVICE, the GM #3018802 replaced the 3018803 for all applications originally using either the '802' or '803', so if the radiator has ever been replaced, it may have the '802' radiator with oil cooler fittings (capped).