Radiator size/type help

[Tim Rich]

My 72 pickup originally had a straight 6 in it (now it has a 350) and I want to upgrade the radiator from the original. Will a 2 5/8 inch core size heavier duty radiator fit without modification?

Thanks,

Tim Rich
Kennesaw, GA

[Fast68Chevy]

the original should be 3 core, look down in the filler neck and see how many vertical columns of tubes there are, 3 is plenty unless you have a 400 or a bored engine, could put some CLR in it and flush itm that would help things clear up



------------------
Randy- Lincoln, IL
randy@ccaonline.com 2177353230
*many GM parts bought, traded, or sold -am parting out: '81 Cutlass Supreme Brougham

current fleet: -71 C-10 350/CH465/3.07- basketcase, #1
-90 Cavalier 2.2L sky blue, a driver
-84 Z28 5.0L/700R4/3.73 daily driver
-84 Firebird/SE 2.8L/T-5/3.73/engine bad, project #2
-82 purple Trans Am, project #3
*Paint is overrated*
© RSS Enterprises 2000

[Blue68]

Tim,
It can get pretty warm in Georgia, but unless you are running a/c or a souped up 350, the 3 core should suffice (assuming a fan shroud is in place with the new setup). If you go to a/c or an automatic (I've done both) you will probably need to upgrade. This will require getting a 4 row (you can get them from a local parts store for the same year. Thing is the 4 row has larger tanks, and thus the core support brackets will need to be replaced....Unless you do what I did, have someone build the radiator with the 3 row tanks and 4 row core (US Radiator).

[Tim Rich]

Blue68, I just got off the phone with U.S. Radiator and that's just what they had recommended, putting a 4 row core with 3 row tanks. I've got an automatic transmission and the A/C is going in over the next week or so. I don't know if you'd consider it souped up, but the 350 is plenty strong for me - it's a crate that the former owner said was rated at 275 h.p., but then a mild cam was added that he said yielded another 30 or so.

Tim Rich
Kennesaw, GA

[Longhorn Man]

In rality, if all your components are in good shape, even a large cammed small block will keep it's cool with a 3 core.
I am running a new 3 core from a 73 and up truck, (much cheaper than the right one) A cast iron stock pump, no fan shroud, a stock fan and new fan clutch, and either a 160 or a 190 degree thermostat. (depending on season)
I never have overheating trouble, I have towed a 50X14 foot mobile home 5 miles in the Tx heat, and run well over 100 MPH for about 20 miles. (holding it at the 'M' on the guage for about 12 of those miles) In the summer, with the 160 stat in it, my guage never sees the high side of 170. Running the 190, I may get to see 205.
I know my combo isn't the recomended stuff, but it obviously works.

------------------
'69 G.M.C. 350/350. Trying to clean up the left over damage from the Dope-Smokin-Old-Man
I've been dubbed the Longhorn Freak/Fanatic/Expert, I just hope I can live up to it.
FINALLY got the HORNIAC...a '70 one ton Longhorn with a Pontiac 350/350 and lots of 'personality'. Check out The Longhorn Webite.
If you need a pic posted, E-mail me at longhornmail@yahoo.com
My name is Andy...not Randy...I'm in Ohio...Not Illinois...close enough?
Columbus Ohio

[Sinister]

during my coast to coast road trip, i had my radiator eat it just out side San Antonio...
found an auto zone, they didn't have a radiator for my '72 c-20 in stock...
but they did have a radiator for a caprice in stock for a hundred bucks less...
(3- rows)...
did san antonio, texas to tampa, fl.
in 24 hours after i got the new radiator in, (ton + pretty much the whole way)...
another thing, late model fords come with aluminum radiators, the tranny cooling lines attach on the driver side though, but if you ran a tranny cooler you could probaly get it to work...probaly what i'll do next time...

------------------
beat it to fit,
paint it to match...
http://www.geocities.com/maggotspawn/gearhead.html

[NSANE68!!!]

I bought a ne 4 row from Auto Zone, after a snapped pump threw the fan through the radiator. In stock $175-$180 don't remember for sure.

[Tim Rich]

Thanks, NSANE68!!! Picked up a 4 row at Auto Zone today for $179.99. Looks like it'll drop right in. I had failed to mention before that the original I was looking to replace was just a 2 row and it was not enough for the 350, much less with the A/C going in.

U.S. Radiator's price was $285 plus shipping for their unit of probably better quality, but Auto Zone's warranty gives me some comfort. Plus, it was in stock and U.S. Radiator couldn't even take my order because of computer problems and couldn't promise that they could have it to me in three or four weeks.

Thanks for the information. Saved money and time.

Tim Rich
Kennesaw, GA

[NSANE68!!!]

COOL BROTHA, Glad it worked out for ya, I have had no problems with my radiato since, THE FAN INCEDENT. hehe. LATER

[Blue68]

Tim,
Check those brackets. There are two sizes, small and large. The big ones are for the four rows. I had a 3 row and the Napa radiator I first went with (before the US Radiator) didn't fit for that reason. Thus the 4 row core in the 3 row tank. It may also be easier to just swap out the brackets, and probably cheaper. Live and learn.

------------------
'68 C-10 LWB, '98 Z-71 350 w/accessories (Serpentine), Edelbrock Performer, GM HEI, CompCam Extreme 4x4, Thorley Headers, 700r4, 3.73, disc brakes and power steering upgrades.