My new DeWitts Radiator!!!

[theandies]

My old radiator has been leaking for a while. I tried to get it fixed but when I bought it way back in 1999 I went cheap and the replacement (original has a big hole in it and couldn't be repaired) end tanks were epoxied on instead of welded. Well the epoxy is where it's leaking and it can't be repaired.
I went with DeWitts this time as I can now afford it (back when I got my Vette I wasn't as well off and had to skimp). This is a thing of beauty:



I'm changing the water pump and thermostat as well. While I have it all apart I'm going to flush the block through the water pump inlet/outlet to clean out any rust etc. that's built up in my ZZ4 since I installed it in 2000.
It's been a while since I've wrenched on my Vette (haven't had to do anything) so I'm excited to get out there. Plus my 19 year old has finally shown interest in wrenching on the car with me so I'm really excited about that. I have a helper willing to learn!!!!!!!

[Egnalf]

Can you run a flush while old radiator still in place? What are you going to use for cleaner? Straight water won't do much.

[theandies]

Car is fully functional right now. I usually don't start a project until all my parts arrive so I can keep driving. I drive mine year round so I like to keep it functional.
I'm getting some flush detergent and might even break out the pressure washer to see if I can use it to force stuff out of the block if there's any nasty in there. I don't think it will be that bad though. Probably doesn't need it. Just a "while I'm in there" thing.

[the new me]

That's a nice-looking radiator.

For sure, flush before you pull the old radiator. Don't want to get any crap in the new one.

It's great that your son wants to learn how to do it.

Are you going to change all the hoses while you're at it?

[Grey Ghost]

I bought one for my '66 back in the day. Met Tom, at Carlisle.

Go for a coolant designed for aluminum. I think the gold stuff was recommended back then. I think was actually used in Ford vehicles at the time.

[theandies]

Originally Posted by the new me

That's a nice-looking radiator.

For sure, flush before you pull the old radiator. Don't want to get any crap in the new one.

It's great that your son wants to learn how to do it.

Are you going to change all the hoses while you're at it?

Hoses, belts etc. Yes

[the new me]

Originally Posted by theandies

Hoses, belts etc. Yes

It's always a great feeling when you re-do your cooling system.