champion I recently purchased the champion EC339 Two Core Radiator from Ledfoot Racing in Calif. Same Price 190.00 . First issue was the radiator would not sit flat against the radiator supoort, the bottom tank seemed to be holding it out.Found the wire harness supports are to tall and in the way. after there removal the radiator bolts flat. The brackets could be a little wider. Then I look at the petcock possition to the crossmember. I could bend the ears that use twist it with since it screws in to open. I want to use a street elbo and face it down so I can catch the fluid. When I removed the fitting I made sure to get all of the thread tape. I hope it works as well as it looks. Fine Lines is local to me, they reproduce brake, fuel and trans cooler lines....I bought a set for 68-69 Fairlanes in stainless for 90.00 (ouch) but they fit with a little work. My experience with reproduction lines is that they require a little tunning to fit just right. Next... I hoping to start my fresh motor between Christmas and New Years
I have a stock radiator... just wont die. I an considering Griffin Radiators http://www.griffinrad.com/exact_fit.cfm for an aluminum direct fit replacement. Made in USA, which matters to me big time. It's one of the reasons I drive an American car. Champeon are made in China. Maybe Champeon is good maybe not, but I want to suport my fellow workers. Yes, they cost more. JMO.
The problem I see after chking their site, the rad is not exact fit. Inlet/outlet hoses on same side. That is not exact fit IMO. If u say u have exact fit and askin gud money for the product - U shud get it right. I like buying American too when u can at least compete w/ the rest of those offering a similiar product.
If you scroll down the page a bit, they show one that has inlet/outlet on opposite sides. I think they are showing both styles for guys like me with an engine that needs same side (passenger) inlet/outlet. I try to buy USA for the most part and trust me, it can be tough. I also understand a bit of global commerce isn't always a bad thing when the price is significant and the quality is good. Many praises for the Champion product and it cost me $142 - the Griffin web site shows $300 for the regular fit and $400 for the exact fit. To me that is significant enough to justify the off-shore part. JMHO ........ To add to that - Americans still made money on my deal - from the guys selling it, wharehouse worker, FedEx, Ebay, ... even the longshoreman and trucker that hauled it from the container ship. While I love to buy USA - I am OK with this deal ........... again, JMHO
Mine is a wimpy 250 so I opted for a new stock replacement radiator. Noticed this weekend it has a tag on it. "Made in Brazil".
I guess I blew this one. I did not see the one down the page. I must agree w/ you. It's hard to justify spending 2-3 times as much for a similar product, esp., when the vast majority of those using the offshore piece seem to be having no issues w/ it. Having said that, when a lot of folks purchased the Champion - Griffith did not have a similiar product; at least to my knowledge. I have a Champ since April 2010, did'nt see another supposedly Direct/Exact fit for these cars at that time. The only thing I don't like abt it is the square edges at the top.
The Griffin has been available for some time now. Personally I think it looks much better, and is worth the extra money. A rad isn't something I want to cheap out on.
so basically the fed ex guy, shipper longshoreman salesman and you...all working for the chinese manufacturer.. dont say offshore letsd keep it real. Man this country has lost its way... Hey theyre startin to make cars now..over there...they'll cost less too. Well I was at a car show today.. beautiful custom Ford, car had a Champion, A lot of happy people running them. I've seen fitment problems, but they are solid so it seems. To each his own.
Yes, and I like egg rolls too. My comment was directed as a broader importation of goods comment, which is why I chose to say "offshore", as it was directed at more than just China. Just looked at my new intake - China Have a case of RAYBESTOS top shelf brake components - China Nice new PERTRONIX Flame Thrower distributor - yes, even that is China Did I say CHINA enough for you now that I'm "keeping it real" ???
back to the radiators i bought a champion for my 77 with the 250. i ran into some of the same problems listed earlier, but i believe that is my own fault. the listing said for a 70 -73 i figured what can the difference be and it was the same price for a stock radiator as the champion so i bought the champion. well as others i found it didn't sit flat because of the wire loom at the bottom, the squared corners compared to the round corners of the mount at the top. and also the fact that the newer stock radiators have the outlet and petcock closer to the center to clear the cross member. (don't remember where i found that tidbit think i compared pics on a parts site) to modify i put in a small spacer on the bottom holes curled the top inner lip of the mount back and dented the cross member at the bottom tube for the last of the clearance, and the petcock i put in a brass street 90 so it well drain straight down.
