Flex-a-Lite 52181C3 User Manual

#52180C3

Fits 1968-1972

Corvette Radiator & Fan Kits

#52181C3

Fits 1970-1982

Chevrolet Corvette C3

Note: Manual transmission preferred; automatic transmission requires a remote cooler. (pt. #4116C3 available)

Note: Always read instructions

and verify kit contents prior to

installation.

Radiator ..................................... 1 ea.

Pre-Mounted Fan ...................... 1 ea.

Bracket, 27-1/2” extension ......... 1ea.

Instruction Sheet ....................... 1 ea.

Flex-a-lite Decal ......................... 1 ea.

*Hardware Kit ............................ 1 ea.

*Wiring Kit ................................. 1 ea.

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

Removal of Existing Fan, Shroud & Radiator

(Instructions shown are for Rad. / Fan kit #52180C3.

Installation of Rad. / Fan kit #52181C3 should be similar)

BE SURE THE ENGINE IS COOL BEFORE PROCEEDING.1.

* Hardware Kit Includes: top radiator mounting bracket (2ea),
hex bolt 5/16-18 x 1-3/4” (2ea), hex bolt 5/16-18 x 2” (4ea), flat
washer 5/16 (6ea), fender washer 5/16 (2ea), lock nut 5/16
(2ea), rubber spacer 5/16 hole (2ea), T-bolt (4ea), flat washer
1/4 (4ea), lock nut 1/4 (4ea), aluminum spacer block (2ea),
adhesive backed foam strip (4ea), fitting for radiator overflow (1ea)

* Wiring Kit Includes: control module (1ea), red 10 gauge wire (12ft.),
black 10 gauge wire (12ft), red 14 gauge wire (8ft), green 14 gauge
wire (5ft), tie straps (6ea), fuse holder (1ea), 40 amp fuse (1ea), fuse
tap ATO (1ea), fuse tap ATM mini (1ea), rubber probe cap (1ea), temp.
control knob (1ea), blue tap-in electrical connector (1ea), yellow ring
connectors (2ea), yellow butt connectors (4ea), blue female spade
connectors (3ea), yellow female spade connector (4ea), screw 1/4­20 x 1/2 (2ea)

Disconnect cable from negative post of battery. Battery is located inside the car, behind driver’s seat, within 2.
an enclosure.

Removal of hood is recommended for better access to engine compartment. 3.
Note: Take note of hood and hinge alignment for reinstallation later.
Note: Enlisting the help of other people will greatly reduce the risk of damage to the hood or fenders.

Drain cooling system by first removing fill cap on expansion tank (if equipped) and then loosening the 4.
petcock on the bottom of the radiator on the driver’s side. Allow coolant to drain until finished.

Remove the upper radiator hose from radiator inlet tube and move out of the way.5.

Loosen the alternator bracket to relieve tension on the fan belt, then remove belt.6.

Remove bolts (2ea.) securing top of fan shroud to radiator support. 7. (see Detail A)

From below the vehicle; remove short nut and bolt sets (2ea.) holding shroud mounting flanges to “L” 8.
brackets bolted to lower splash shield plate. (see Detail B)

On stock fan configurations remove clutch and clutch fan. If the factory clutch and clutch fan have been 9.
replaced with a direct drive mechanical fan, slide fan shroud toward engine to reach the front of the
mechanical fan. Reach in between shroud and radiator to access fan mounting bolts. Remove bolts and
then fan. (see Detail C)

Remove bolts 2ea.

Remove nut & bolts 2 sets.

Move shroud toward engine,

then access bolts for removal

(Detail A)

(Detail B)

(Detail C)

Rev. 07-30-12 99181 Page 1 of 6

Installation instructions continued from previous page

Remove fan shroud. 10. Note: Rotating the fan shroud will help with removal.

Disconnect the small overflow hose from the barbed fitting attached to filler neck of radiator. 11.
Note: This hose routes back to the Expansion tank.

Remove the lower radiator hose from radiator outlet tube and move out of the way.12.

Disconnect both transmission coolant lines from radiator (if applicable). Cap / plug lines to prevent 13.
transmission fluid from draining out.

Note: For automatic transmission equipped vehicles.

We chose not to install a transmission cooler within our radiator’s side tank. This maximizes the cooling

efficiency of both your engine and transmission. If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission,

you will need to install an aftermarket transmission cooler. We have developed an auxiliary direct fit

transmission cooler kit for the Corvette 68’-82’, part #4116C3.

Flex-a-lite makes a full line of transmission coolers along with customized mounting options.

For more mounting options, call Technical Assistance at: 1-877-767-0554 or FAX: [phone].

or visit www.flex-a-lite.com

Remove bolts (2ea.) securing mounting bracket that holds top of radiator. The bracket is located top center 14.
of radiator and attaches to engine side of radiator support. (see Detail D)

Remove radiator from vehicle by carefully lifting up and out parallel with angle of radiator support. 15.
Note: The bottom of the radiator is held in place with studs and rubber grommets that align with brackets
at bottom of radiator support. These grommets will be used with the new radiator. If the grommets are still
attached to the old radiator you will need to remove them and re-seat them back into the lower radiator
support brackets. (see Detail E)

Note: If installing kit #52181C3, verify rubber cushions within lower cradles have remained in place.

Radiator top mounting bracket.

(Detail D)

Bottom bracket with rubber

grommet seated within.

(Detail E)

Remove cap from filler neck of old radiator. 16.
Note: Save cap, it will be used with new radiator.

Remove the long & narrow plate at top of radiator support sandwiched between the top radiator mounting 17.
bracket and radiator support.

Remove foam strips located along both sides of radiator support opening.18.

From below the vehicle, and with weight of the vehicle on the ground, remove bolts (4ea.) securing front 19.
sway bar bushing brackets. Lower front sway bar then remove and discard splash shield plate. Warning:

Removal of sway bar bushing brackets without the front suspension under load could cause injury.
(see Detail F)

With splash shield plate removed, place supplied spacer blocks between vehicle frame and rubber bushing 20.
of sway bar. Reattach sway bar bushing brackets to frame with supplied longer 2” bolts & washers.
(see Detail G) The purpose is to lower the sway bar enough to provide adequate clearance for the new
electric fan assembly. Space blocks are necessary on both #52180C3 and #52181C3 kits

Sway bar bushing

bracket.

(Detail F)

Sway bar bushing bracket

with spacer block.

(Detail G)

Rev. 07-30-12 99181 Page 2 of 6