Restoration radiators are 100% correct reproduction aluminum plate type radiators. These radiators appear exactly like the original model, including the GM part number, date code, and label. Plate type radiators are not simply for show, as they will out perform any tube type aluminum racing radiator. With ratings as high as 4600btu/m, these radiators are the highest performance radiators on the market. A four row copper replacement radiator provides about 3300btu/m which usually results in a hot motor. If your car originally came with an aluminum radiator, changing to copper radiator is a downgrade in performance".
The first aluminum radiator (3147516) was used on 1960 high-performance (270/290Hp) Corvettes. This radiator had an aluminum overflow tank attached to the top and is therefore commonly referred to as a “top tank”. This tank was not a pressured expansion tank. The first version featured a smooth flat top and had no plastic coolant-level viewing plug. The radiator was unpainted and used a 13-psi pressure cap. In the middle of the 1960 production year, five ribs were added to the top of the tank for added strength. Shortly after that change, the plastic coolant-level sight hole was added, creating yet a third version of the radiator. The radiator part number changed to 3151116 for the early 1961 (270/315) high performance Corvettes and was used up to Vin. number 1700. The only change made to the radiator was an aluminum nipple and coupling was added to the assembly. None of the original production versions were painted. Only GM service parts were painted black. We are now offering this radiator in any version you need. Please specify if you want the flat top, ribs, and/or sight hole. Radiators with the sight hole will include the correct plastic plug with TY-16.
GM Part Number: 3151116.
Fits: 1960, 1961 C1 Corvettes.
