Howe Radiator for early gen 1 HELP

[bozack818]

Long story short, I own an early gen 1 (93) viper, and I'm a first time owner. I ordered a new Howe Radiator that claims to be a drop in for the gen 1. The garage doing the work tells me Howe sent the wrong radiator. When i contacted Howe they were confused about the difference between early gen 1 and gen 2s. They have not sent a return label after 2 days either!

Can anyone help me explain to Howe the differences between these? The one they sent has no fill neck and different studs to attach the fan shroud. Will the gen 2 rad work on a gen 1?

I've had the car a month and have only drove it for a couple days before having cooling troubles. Please help!

[dave6666]

You may have to send them the new one back with your old one too so they can modify it. They should be able to relocate the studs and add a fill neck if they have the old one as a pattern. But at least you bought the best brand of radiator.

[99RT10]

Other option is to re-core your original with a 3 row. Your local radiator shop should be able to do it for about $300ish

[bozack818]

I plan to send the Howe back. They did send a drawing that shows one with a fill neck, but the mounting studs appear to be different than mine. If Howe is the "best" "go-to" manufacturer, "howe" do they not know what radiator I need?

I will probably recore my original and keep it as a spare if the Howe starts leaking. I'm hoping to just get it back on the road before the short NE Ohio summer is over.

[Fatboy 18]

I just fitted a Howe rad in my Gen II , they were very helpful and fast shipping to the UK

I did send them some constructive feedback saying the top neck needs to be bent a little more at an angle as the hood hinge puts pressure on the side of the Top hose.

Bottom line is these are aftermarket radiators, so some screw fittings will be different

[bozack818]

I was under the impression that these radiators were specifically made for the viper. While I don't know all of the small differences between early vipers, I would have figured they would have experienced this previously.

Do I NEED a filler cap on this car? The service manual says to fill the coolant at the heater core. What purpose does the pressure relieving cap serve on an early gen 1 that it isn't needed on the gen 2?

[nrs1]

As mentioned before, take your OEM radiator to a local shop and have it recored with a 3 row. This will probably be your bet and fasted option, rather than fiddle around with the A/F shop that doesn't appear to know exactly what you need. That's what I did, and couldn't be happier, though is was a bit more than $300.

[Fatboy 18]

The Aluminium radiators are made for the Vipers but are normally made to order, Howe also make rads for several other cars too

The Radiator you need is 342C01 You will also need a couple of extra items a plug for the bottom drain hole and a screw in 90% overflow pipe adaptor.
The overflow pipe adaptor thread is 1/4 NPT
the screws required for the fan shroud are 1/4" x20 thread
Here is a picture of an original radiator from a Gen II, and also a picture of the Howe Radiator.
20180403_170558.jpg
20180403_170742.jpg
20180430_095301.jpg
If you wanted OEM then you could have got your original one re cored

[Fatboy 18]

For Info, the Howe radiator has 2 one inch cores.

[bozack818]

NRS1, my factory radiator is damaged, and I already purchased an aftermarket one that SAYS it's made for a gen 1, but it's NOT. My question was not about recore on the original, it was about the differences between the Howe 342C01 that appears to be for a gen 2, and the gen 1.

Fatboy18. It appears that I do not need a 342C01, because that is what I already have and it is not for this EARLY gen 1 viper. It was made to order, but it appears to be for the LATE gen 1 that is similar to the gen 2.

[dave6666]

I plan to send the Howe back. They did send a drawing that shows one with a fill neck, but the mounting studs appear to be different than mine. If Howe is the "best" "go-to" manufacturer, "howe" do they not know what radiator I need?

You are welcome to go to a different aftermarket brand and let us know how that works out for you. I stated they are the best because having been in a Gen 2 Viper for well over 10 years now and having tested many brands which failed almost immediately, I'm not a newbie. But please, continue your childish tirade and let us know how that works out for you.

Did I spell how correctly? Asking for the internet :-)

[Steve-Indy]

Points needing clarification:

For those who are well familiar with Gen II radiators (which will also work in the LATER Gen I Vipers...i.e. Later 1993 through the 1996 R/T 10) it needs to be understood that 1992 through early 93 radiators are a TOTALLY DIFFERENT design. These cars' radiators have a built in filler neck with a true radiator cap on the side near the top...BUT not the highest point on said radiators. These cars have NO pressure bottle (as found on late 93 through 02 cars) though they still have a coolant recovery bottle in the front fascia.

As noted, the early radiators cannot be filled via the "filler neck". They must be filled via the heater hose.

Hopefully this wordy explanation will help folks understand the original posters unique situation.

[AZTVR]

What purpose does the pressure relieving cap serve on an early gen 1 that it isn't needed on the gen 2?

There is a pressure relieving cap on a Gen 2. It is remote from the radiator and is on the pressurized coolant tank/bottle. You need a pressurized cap to limit the system pressure and allow fluid to flow to and from the coolant recovery bottle.

[bozack818]

Thank you Steve for the clarification. I don't know enough about these unique cars to clearly explain my situation.

Dave6666, I know you are not a newbie and your suggestion of sending my old rad back to Howe is probably my best bet. I've seen you help many other people here with your vast knowledge of these cars, and I'm only frustrated at my current sitiation. I selected Howe based on the positive reviews on this forum.

AZTVR, thank you for that information! That's a big part of the equation that I was missing.

My main point is, How do I explain to Howe what I need, so that I receive the proper radiator.

[Fatboy 18]

NRS1, my factory radiator is damaged, and I already purchased an aftermarket one that SAYS it's made for a gen 1, but it's NOT. My question was not about recore on the original, it was about the differences between the Howe 342C01 that appears to be for a gen 2, and the gen 1.

Fatboy18. It appears that I do not need a 342C01, because that is what I already have and it is not for this EARLY gen 1 viper. It was made to order, but it appears to be for the LATE gen 1 that is similar to the gen 2.

Got it No worries

[Fatboy 18]

Thank you Steve for the clarification.

My main point is, How do I explain to Howe what I need, so that I receive the proper radiator.

Well some pictures of your OEM Radiator would be a good start, even if it is damaged. Measurements will also help them.
I was dealing with Rick at Howe


Any other members have a picture of an early Gen 1 RADIATOR? Im interested to see what they look like? Do they use the same fibreglass radiator shroud?

[bozack818]

Fatboy18, I did send them a picture of my old rad, but I'm not sure how to post pics here yet. I was dealing with Rick, now I'm talking to Dan. My old rad is still at the shop with my car so I can't get anymore pics or measurements this weekend.. I'm really hoping they didn't throw it away by now.

[Steve-Indy]

FYI...as of this AM, Schatf appears to have the early Gen I radiator in their inventory.

[98RedGTS]

Fatboy18, I did send them a picture of my old rad, but I'm not sure how to post pics here yet. I was dealing with Rick, now I'm talking to Dan. My old rad is still at the shop with my car so I can't get anymore pics or measurements this weekend.. I'm really hoping they didn't throw it away by now.

If they haven't absolutely don't let them. You may not want it but I'm willing to bet someone down the road will if it can be fixed (recored).

[bozack818]

98redgts, I did let the garage know to hold onto the radiator. I talked to Howe and if they have any questions I will take measurements on the old one myself.