Radiator Choices?

[JJanzen]

I recently installed a 4 core radiator that I purchased from Auto Zone for about $ 190 bucks. After messing with it for hours, I determined that the way it was made wouldn't allow it to drop into the lower radiator mounting pads/brackets or the top ones wouldn't fit over the top of the radiator. This left the top brackets sitting about 3/4" high. I am assuming this is a "universal" type product and not specific for our trucks (mine is a 72). In looking around at different suppliers, I found a variety of costs from about $ 190- $390.00. I would obviously like spending as little as possible but want one that is a direct replacement and will fit without having to mess with it much. Does anyone have any suggestions or experiences that they could share to steer me in the right direction? Your help is greatly appreciated! Thanks.

Joel

[suville]

You need 4 core mounting brackets and pads they are available from most of the vendors Wess at Classic heartbeat and Frank (Pickmup) come to mind both very good folks to do biz with.

[JJanzen]

Got the 4 core mounting brackets already.

[michael bustamante]

sounds like it might be for a 73 and up truck

[vegaschevy]

Go through my build thread. I bought an aluminum radiator for about 220 bucks shipped and it was a direct replacement

[VetteVet]

I bought a 4-core from a friend but it was out of a car. The dimensions were the same but the fill tank would not sit down into the lower passenger side rubber mount. I had to move the mount to the left into another set of holes and it sat down like it should. It should be obvious though and the lower mounts were the same ones that were used for the 3-core that was in it. The tops are longer for the four core.

[cox71]

I just put the auto zone four core in my 71 yesterday. I messed around with it for about an hour like you did and I was about to give up and return it when I finaly got to to sit down in the bottom mounts and the top ones lined up too. If you want I can send you some pics of how it is sitting in the mounts. It fits good after I finally figured out how it needed to set in there.

[mrh33916]

I also have one from Autozone in my '67.

It fits perfectly with the 4-core mounts.

I did have to notch the lower radiator support for the 4-core brackets to sit all the way down but I think that's just because it's a '67

[Mike J]

I had the same problem with a 4-core autozone radiator, and I have new 4-core mounts as well. I ended up using the new 4-core lower mounts, but had to make my own upper mounts, because the upper 4-core mounts wouldn't sit down flush with the core support.

[JJanzen]

Someone told me that the original radiators were manufactured by Modine. I found O"reilly's sells that brand. We don't have them here in Denver but I ordered one online....we'll see if it fits when it get here. I spent about $ 200.00 on it from them.

[72gmcworker]

I got mine from Napa...there 2 core (the biggest/widest one for our trucks) aluminum one and it fit right with no issues and works great.
Planning on getting another Napa one for the '80 this spring.

[mrh33916]

Here's a picture of mine from Autozone installed.

[love my 72]

Some high school kid at a car show told me about "Champion" aluminum radiators and i talked to them, turns out they have direct bolt on aluminum radiators for our trucks and the price was not too bad, i think i will be going with there product when my project needs a radiator.

Has any one else used the champion radiator?