Cut Down Aluminum Radiator?
 

I bought my 53 Chevy as an incomplete project. It has an S10 chassis swap with SBC 350, and came with a new aluminum rad. Unfortunately, the rad is 26" tall and it hits the hood when the hood is closed. Can an aluminum rad be cut down to a smaller size?

Thanks.

Wade

Re: Cut Down Aluminum Radiator?
 

I'm thinking that you may be better off to sell that radiator to someone who doesn't have a frame swap and buy one that fits right.

I'm not well versed in aluminum radiators but I can see 2 or 300 bucks tied up in trying to fix a radiator that probably only cost that to begin with.

One of the S-10 swap guys can probably give you brand and part number of a radiator that will fit and work depending on how your radiator support is set up.

Re: Cut Down Aluminum Radiator?
 

Can someone suggest an aluminum rad with top inlet in the center, bottom inlet on the passenger side and will fit in a S10 swap?

Also, any idea what a 26" tall rad might fit?

Thanks.

Wade

Re: Cut Down Aluminum Radiator?
 

I think 26" tall is the stock rad size for the AD.

most S10 swap guys will order the speedway 19x22 (22 wide, 19 tall) aluminum rad but I dont like it because the lower hose outlet points like 20 degrees inward, for whatever reason. I found a 19x21 on ebay that is made for a V8, is actually a 19x21.5, and has a straight lower outlet. just do a search for 19x21 aluminum radiator. both of these have the upper on the drivers side, which works out good for 4.3 or sbc.

if you want one that is in town, oreillys will carry a 1967 mustang rad that is 20.5x22 and will have a trans cooler in the bottom too. it usually has the upper on the passenger side but that is easy to fix with a new hose and adjustable thermostat outlet, sometimes just a new hose.

mr48 is right, I had a 19x22 once upon a time and called to have the lower outlet straightened by a welding shop and they quoted 3 times with the rad cost.

Re: Cut Down Aluminum Radiator?
 

Is there a way you can modify or build a new core support and move the bot of the radiator forward and the top back? If you can fit it at an angle and use an electric fan you won't loose cooling capacity.

Re: Cut Down Aluminum Radiator?
 

I was thinking this too. All you have to clear is the steering box, right? I'd probably be dumb enough to modify the frame horns.

Re: Cut Down Aluminum Radiator?
 

frame horns aren't issue, the steering box takes up too much space right where you need it for the radiator.

I see a lot more issues with a cobbled up mess trying to slant the bottom of the radiator out to clear than you want to contend with.

Re: Cut Down Aluminum Radiator?
 

I replaced my leaking radiator with my 79 g Body clipped 47 and cut the corner off to clear steering box.

Re: Cut Down Aluminum Radiator?
 

I agree. I will be buying a new rad. Can someone point me to a rad for an S10 frame swap and SBC that has the mounting flanges on the sides of the rad?

thanks.

Wade

Re: Cut Down Aluminum Radiator?
 

Prc radiator might be able to help you if all else fails. 812 -897 -5805

Re: Cut Down Aluminum Radiator?
 

I had to fab some mounting tabs but it was pretty simple. The top of the radiator is even with the top of the core support and the bottom clears the steering gear, no problem...

https://www.streetortrack.com/Northe...-pr-21443.html

Re: Cut Down Aluminum Radiator?
 

So, long ago I purchased a 19x22 with the lower outlet that points inward. Can you fight your way around it with the correct hose, or should I be looking for a new radiator?

Like this one you suggest: https://www.ebay.com/i/172790395003?chn=ps

Re: Cut Down Aluminum Radiator?
 

thats the one I used, if you watch it you can catch it on sale with an electric fan (that didnt fit without a lot of grinding) for less than that.

I never used the speedway one, but skymangs has used it in his threads and I think recommends the hoses.

in my opinion, they use the same side tanks as a wider rad that would normally have the angle pointing right at the lower water pump outlet, but since its a narrower core the angled lower actually points right at the fan. that was a non starter for me, because I like using the mechanical fan whenever I can. I am aware of the "you lose XX hp with a mechanical fan" argument, but the complexity and cost of an electric fan setup on an engine that will never be driven at 9/10ths (let alone 10/10ths, or even 7/10ths) is not where I want to spend time and money.


cliff notes: can you use the correct hose? maybe.