Howdy,

I have a '68 Camaro with the 210hp 327CI V8. I live in Austin, Texas and it gets hot in the summer. As a result, the engine runs very warm in the summer. It doesn't overheat but I can tell it's very close. It currently has the stock radiator in it.

I'm considering putting in an aluminum radiator and would appreciate your thoughts and recommendations. I've done a lot of research and let me be clear, I'm on a budget and would like to do this inexpensively. However, I'd like the best bang for the buck and do want quality.

I've looked at the Be Cool and Griffin options and I just don't want to spend that kind of money. My question is, is there a decent aluminum radiator anyone can recommend that's under $300.00?

I've been looking at the Champions on-line and they're around $200-ish but, I can't find any kind of feedback on them.

Also, though I'm somewhat mechanically inclined, I've had most of my mechanic work done by a mechanic I trust. But, I think I could likely replace this myself. Is it that difficult to remove and install a radiator?

I'd appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks to all,

JV

 

I have a Howe (non automatic) radiator in mine, which is closer to the $200 range. If you need one with an auto tranny cooler, that'll put you a little over $300.
My brother put a Summit brand "direct fit" in his stock 68, and it works great for him.
Summit Racing SUM-380456 - Summit Racing® Direct Fit Aluminum Radiators - Overview - SummitRacing.com
Granted, we're not in Tejas to compare apples to apples, but the aluminum radiators cool better by nature.

 

Thanks 69,

I was just looking for a aluminum rad for my 68 Camaro 4sp and also did not want to speed 500+ for one, where did you get your Howe? because I dont need the auto tranny cooler but I guess I could just put plugs in it.

 

Howe Racing 342A28 - Howe Aluminum Radiators - Overview - SummitRacing.com
It's a universal fit, you need to drill 3 holes on each side of the radiator core support for the mounting flanges on the radiator.
If you had a radiator with a tranny cooler, you don't need to plug the holes unless you're just wanting to keep dirt from getting in there.
That section of the radiator, for obvious reasons, has no direct connection to the coolant.

 

Not sure where you got your prices on Griffin that made you think they're expensive? The Griffin is actually cheaper than the Summit, and it has two 1.25" rows, instead of the two 1" rows the Summit has. I've got a Griffin in my gasser, and a Summit universal fit in my 427 Camaro. Both do great, but the universal took a lot of mods to work in my Camaro as it's much taller, thicker, and wider than the old big block radiator I had.
Here's the Griffin for a '68 that's just under $275:
Griffin Thermal Products 8-00009 - Griffin Dominator Series Radiators - Overview - SummitRacing.com

 

The main reasons why that Summit radiator is more, is because it's an "exact fit" (not universal), and has a tranny cooler (I didn't know what trans he had). The Griffin and Howe are neither of those. Go with a universal style with no cooler, and now we're talking about a $130 Summit radiator. http://www.summitracing.com/search/B...minum+radiator

 

I have a Powerglide, 2 speed Automatic. The Griffin is $373.99. Tax and shipping will easily put it over $400.00. I'm hoping to find something around half that.

Griffin Thermal Products 8-70009 - Griffin Dominator Series Radiators - Overview - SummitRacing.com

Looking at some of the Champion radiators featured on EBay.

 

The Griffin I listed is a direct fit for a 1968 Camaro. Check the application at the link and you'll see it's listed for the '68 Camaro. But if you can get the Summit without a cooler for $130, I'd get it and use a remote cooler that you can buy at Summit for around $32.
The one you linked doesn't have mounting flanges, so would take a lot to make it work.

 

The only difference I can see between the 8-70009 and the 8-00009 is that the 8-70009 has the transmission cooler. The pictures appear to have the flanges. What am I missing?

 

My response was to the inexpenive Summit radiator Camaro 69 linked, a it doesn't have flanges. The two you listed have flanges, as does the one I listed for $100 less than your listing. I can't see what makes the $275 Griffin different from the $375 Griffin.
They both look like welded aluminum and not stamped, and both appear to be alike, so I'm not sure why one is $100 more.