65 396 radiator on L-75 car

[Jim L.]

Re: 65 396 radiator on L-75 car

That's what got me interested in the BB radiator in the first place, but now that I'm aware of the fitment problems, I'll stay with an OEM replacement. Thx Patrick !
JC

I'm not sure what you mean by the "fitment problems". A 396 radiator is a bolt in improvement to your cooling system. Yes, it requires a new radiator support, but that, too, is a bolt in. No new holes. No cutting. Just wrenching.

[Joe L.]

Re: 65 396 radiator on L-75 car

DeWitt's own website states that the Direct Fit replacement is less effective than the original style:
" While its BTU rating (4100) is slightly less than the original, it is still 25% better than the copper replacement radiators"

http://www.dewitts.com/collections/corvette-aluminum-radiators/products/1963-1972-aluminum-radiator

Buy the original style one from them if you're truly concerned about overheating.

Patrick-------

Yes, the DeWitts "Direct Fit" replacement for the GM #3155316 radiator does not have as much cooling capacity as their reproduction of the 3155316. Frankly, in this case I would always choose the reproduction over the "Direct Fit" replacement.

However, that's not the case with all of the DeWitts "Direct Fit" radiators. The aluminum "Direct Fit" replacement for the 1969-72 big block copper brass radiators has a greater cooling capacity than ANY radiator ever originally installed in any Corvette from 1953 to 2015. And, it's configuration is very close to the original radiator.