89 Vett

Replaced my radiator recently in an effort to get it to run cooler with a Dewitt's double row aluminum radiator. As many have stated previously I found half a forest trying to catch a ride.


After cleaning:


After comparing the new radiator to the old, the bottom hose mount is located lower than the original.


This bracket needed to be cut:



Once trimmed, the radiator fit nicely:


Top Bracket also needs to be cut:



Initially I used a dremel, but a utility knife worked out a lot better.

In looking at Dewitt's website, the radiator pictured for a 1989 doesn't appear to match the one I have. The lower hose mount looks like it would line up without the trimming. Perhaps I have a different version than what is sold now.

GREGGPENN

Seems like you should have verified correct shipment -- before hacking into your mounting frame. I thought DeWitt's were supposed to be drop-in replacements!

c4cruiser

It looks like the DeWitts radiator does not have connections for auto trans fluid tubes. Were there two choices (manual trans or auto trans) shown when you ordered?

JrRifleCoach

I'm guessing you have the wrong unit.
Mine was a drop in with the exception of the filler neck shroud clearance.

Give customer support a call.

89 Vett

Done deal now, but you may be correct.

For clarification I have a 6 speed.

GREGGPENN

With a 6-sp, you just don't hook up the trans cooler. This is common amoung all (most?) radiators. Companies normally ship the same unit -- regardless of transmission.

WW7

You should of just gotten the auto radiator and plugged the holes for the trans lines..Then you wouldn't of had to cut anything......With that bracket I believe your car may have been an automatic from the factory.....WW

Black89Z51

I installed a one in my 89 and it dropped right in. It even came with new rubber isolators that fit perfectly. No cutting needed at all.

mako41

Yea Me too, dropped right in! I think you received the wrong part # radiator for your application!

89 Vett

Hmmm... well the price was right at about 40% off retail so I suppose you get what you pay for.

JrRifleCoach

So did you get this directly from DeWitts?

Or the ebay company selling their products?

desertmike1

My Dewitts required minor trimming of the Saddle mounts.. that's it!

0Tom@Dewitt

The radiator you bought is about (7) seven years old. That design was one of the first (prototype) units we built in 2006. It used a shorter core and the bottom had an air baffle, which makes it look like the lower connection is lower, but it's not.

GKK

If I was sent this radiator which had to be modified that much, I would've sent it back...

This description from the DeWitt website and what the Op received, don't match. If bought from DeWitt, I'm sure he would've re-shipped you the correct one, if bought from another source, you should've contacted the seller about the modifications and missing mounting cushions.

Model: 1139084A (Double Row) $525

This new aluminum radiator features two rows of 1" tubes and press formed end tanks. This doubles the cooling capacity of the original single row units. This design eliminates failures due to cracked plastic end tanks and/or gasket leaks. This model fits both automatic transmission and 4 + 3 models. To simplify installation, we include the custom mounting cushions. Note: First design AC condensers used on 1984 & early 1985 will have to be upgraded to allow clearance for the thicker radiator.







.

scotth48

What was the answer for these two questions?

I bought a single row for my '93 LT1 and it is a bolt in using original mounts. I added the fan kit and brackets were not drilled correctly or lacked holes for a upper hose bracket. I took every thing down to Dewitts and showed John the problem, came up with a solution and hopefully hose updates will be made to there products. I am confident they will be.

If it was purchased from someone other than Dewitts, no telling how long it had been on the shelf, and if you got a good deal, that maybe why they did so in order to get rid of some old stock. The other factor is that the cowling may not be the correct one as it may have been replaced previously by another owner.

Sounds like others with same year had very little problem in installing the system.

jmrl98

I bought model 1129084A, and I have an 85 vette. I didn't want to replace my condenser, so I went this route. I had to whack the same bracket as the OP, and buy a low coolant temp sensor to plug the hole, as my 85 (probably all of them) did not come with that option. Also had to turn the drain valve all the way in to get it to fit, which means it is open - right, coolant poured out cuz I forgot to shut it. And the rubber mounts - forget it, there is no way on God's great earth those ones they sent me were ever going to work. I had to whack my stock ones, with an exacto knife, as I also tried the dremmel. Still have 'em just in case. A half-sheet of paper explaining these caveats would go along way, and should be included IMO if any more of these units are sold. I was tempted to take pics and drive to dewitts and show em this ain't a direct fit, but I've modded so much other crap I guess I'm used to it. I do have summers off so i should've....

0Tom@Dewitt

The 85 uses the fat condensor, to those that didn't know this. Our rubber cushions are designed for adding our radiator and the thinner condensor used on 86-89 cars. Since jmrl98 stayed with the (Fat) original (28 year old) condensor, the cushions didn't work, but they do work perfectly on all 86-89 models. I will modify our details on the website to mention the 85 model.

The 90-96 model is a completely different radiator, and we do not supply rubber cushion with this model. The upper cushions require some trimming and a sheet of instructions is included.

Oh, to answer the question above ....
We did not sell that OP radiator. It may be new but we made that more than seven years ago.

desertmike1

It looks like the OP purchased an NOS Radiator W/MT set up and stuck it in an AT Shroud assy.. and then Compared it against a Modern Dewitts picture! No punt intended.. the picture is becoming clear.

89 Vett

I missed this question, but yes it was from eBay. Tom had indicated it was a pretty good deal so I went ahead and bought it.

89 Vett

The radiator was described in the eBay listing as for a manual transmission which I have. Car is an original 6 speed, had it since 1200 miles were on the clock.