Dewitts Restoration Radiators

[Thomas S.]

It nevers ends does it?

just found out that my 63 has a 65 radiator so I ordered a correct dated one from Dewitts. Can anyone chime in about the length of time it takes for them to build and ship one of their Restoration type radiators?

The core I have does not leak but it has a indent on the right side that may have also been repaired. I have attached photos. The part number on it is 3155316. 65C. If any one wants this funtional core they can have it for free just send me a note tsutclif@icloud.com. First one gets it.

it's in the car and once the new Dewitts arrives I'll remove it and ship it whoever wants it.
t.

[Michael J.]

Re: Dewitts Restoration Radiators

The last one I ordered for my '64 took about 3 weeks IIRC. Give them a call and they can tell you for sure.

[James W.]

Re: Dewitts Restoration Radiators

Thomas,

However long it takes it will be worth every cent. A great product that will give you peace of mind when your going down the road. My '64 convertible is still operating with its original radiator that still keeps the car cool at interstate speeds on a hot day. I'm sure I will be calling Dewitt's one of these years and asking for a new one.

Regards,

James West

[Terry D.]

Re: Dewitts Restoration Radiators

Agree with Thomas and they are great people to deal with. If you are ever in their area stop in for a tour of their shop. Everything is done in house now. Several years ago I had one of their radiators leak, it was out of warranty, but they replaced it anyway because at that time the welding was done out of house.

[Thomas S.]

Re: Dewitts Restoration Radiators

A member has gotten in touch with me about the free 65 radiator so it is no longer available.

[John D.]

Re: Dewitts Restoration Radiators

I am sure most of you know the following. If you remove your aluminum radiator do not let it set around dry. Make sure it has anti-freeze in it.
My original 63 radiator was flawless. We took it off for the 1st restoration of the car. Put it on two plus years later and it leaked big time.
That was in the early 80's. Went to Chevy to buy a new one and the parts dept said discontinued. I had a upscale restaurant that had a Sat afternoon jazz session. Don Yenko and his Atty friend used to come in every other Saturday to listen to the jazz. A few times Don sat in as he was a great Piano player. Bet you did not know that. Anyhow one day he asked me how the resto was coming and I said I had a problem with the radiator being discontinued. He said no problem as he was sure he had a dozen or so up in his attic and would bring onein to my place in two weeks. And so he did. Radiator was dated 1976. I used it until 2006-2008 (forget) when my 63, the LWC was re-restored. Ordered a radiator from DeWitt. Wonderful part and wonderful people. What would we do without Tom.
I could tell you Yenko stories all day long but this is not the place. He was my pal. When he died in the plane crash I cried like a baby.

[Tim G.]

Re: Dewitts Restoration Radiators

I ordered one last Monday and it was shipped on Thursday. I expect it today or tomorrow. It is a small block radiator for a '67.

[Thomas S.]

Re: Dewitts Restoration Radiators

Actually I didn't know to keep it filled. That's interesting because anyone buying a NOS or even a use one could have a problem. In my case I actually re-installed it in the car until the Dewitts shows up so I'm covered. Another member did grab it as a freebie so I'm glad it will continue to live on in a correct 65. According to Dewitts, the radiator will be here in about 2-weeks.

[Noel B.]

Re: Dewitts Restoration Radiators

It took about three weeks for me to get the date coded radiator from DeWitts. Also got an expansion tank at the same time - also date coded. Great people to work with. Everything fit perfectly.

[George J.]

Re: Dewitts Restoration Radiators

I could tell you Yenko stories all day long but this is not the place. He was my pal. When he died in the plane crash I cried like a baby.

John,
You should start a separate thread. I know people would love to hear the stories. Where else would you put them for posterity? Don't let them vanish with you.

George

[Paul S.]

Re: Dewitts Restoration Radiators

The best !

[Tony S.]

Re: Dewitts Restoration Radiators

DeWitt has the ability to create the appearance of production clamp marks on the top plate of their restoration radiators. Unfortunately they stopped doing that. It creates configuration issues for judging.

[Michael H.]

Re: Dewitts Restoration Radiators

Tony,

By "production clamp marks," I assume you're referencing the oval marks on top of the radiator. I understand that you all (the "judges") are now going to give deducts for the absence of such marks, is that correct? If so, how does one best go about re-creating those clamp marks on a DeWitts radiator that they're already purchased? How many such marks were on top of the radiator (four)? Did the spacing of the marks vary or were they fixed in designated locations on all radiators? Thanks in advance.

Mike H

[Tony S.]

Re: Dewitts Restoration Radiators

Hi Mike. Yes, deductions are being given for the DeWitt small block and 396 radiators based on configuration issues. There are several reasons for that. I don't think it will be difficult to approximate the oval clamping marks and top plate configuration. If you look at the photos in the new 6th edition 1965 TIM JG, we display those marks on the original sb and bb radiator tops. A little creativity goes along way. As a judge, I am looking for the owner's acknowledgement of that feature. When you look at your radiator as it is mounted in your car, what is the feature that you see the most clearly? Answer: the top of the radiator. No two original radiators appear exactly the same, but all small block originals that I have seen show evidence of being placed in the factory clamping device. Just make some reasonable effort to approximate the results of being placed in the clamping device and dipped. That means that you don't see a flat/slick top plate, and you see some evidence of the oval clamp marks. DeWitts can help resolve this by making this feature available again (DeWitts built one of these radiators for me two years ago). We have to reward the owner that has an original (or original appearing) radiator (which appears quite different on the upper plate than the modern DeWitt radiators). DeWitts will most likely respond to customer demands. Until recently, DeWitt radiators flew through judging w/o problems, so what was their motivation to change? Now that deductions are being given, consumers should expect greater configuration conformity.

Hope that helps. I can't speak for the 63/64/66 or 67 teams. We are deducting on the 65 team and that may or may not spread to other C2 teams.

Hope that helps.
Tony

[Gary J.]

Re: Dewitts Restoration Radiators

Wonder if anyone has brought this up to DeWitts? On the score sheet under orginality the radiator is worth 15 points. So with that being said configuration part would be a 3 point deduct.