57 Chevy pickup radiator questions
 

57 Chevy Pickup Radiator Woes.

I have been struggling with small leaks in the top seam of my radiator for some time now. Since I live in Long Island, Ny radiator shops are almost non existent and the ones that do exist charge a premium. One shop refused to even try to braze it and wanted to rebuild it for around $800.
I eventually found another shop in Brooklyn, and the old man there brazed it for $70 and it’s been good for a few months, until I just recently noticed a drop of antifreeze after I shut off the engine.
Is it worth fixing again? I have attempted to purchase a few radiator in the past but none have fit rite plus Return shipping kills the deal cause most carriers want at least $80 to ship back.
It seems that my “I believe to be original” radiator’s mounting brackets are welded to the radiator at a gradual angle. Both radiators I bought the brackets we’re straight which caused a problem with the fan touching towards the bottom. Where can I purchase an exact fit radiator and be done with this or should I just rebuild mine with new core?

Thanks in advance!

Re: 57 Chevy pickup radiator questions
 

Try Champion Cooling

Re: 57 Chevy pickup radiator questions
 

I’ll give them a call on Monday. Thanks
From the pics on their website it looks like the mounting might be tapered inward at the bottom like my original radiator. Hopefully they have a dealer close to me. Return shipping is half the cost of the radiator.

Re: 57 Chevy pickup radiator questions
 

I believe they are all tapered that way.

Re: 57 Chevy pickup radiator questions
 

Thank you for verifying this for me.

Re: 57 Chevy pickup radiator questions
 

Your fan not being square to the rad means your engine angle is wacky. Likely the tailshaft of the trans is too low.
Carbed motors are set up so the carb mounting surface is level.

Re: 57 Chevy pickup radiator questions
 

Here is a radiator shop https://www.classicradiator.com/ It is located in Farmingdale which is close to Brooklyn . Looks like driving distance for you to save on shipping. I briefly checked and they have the aluminum radiators for your truck and I believe the copper brass . Prices are way less than to have your old one recored .

I originally brought it to these guys. They were the ones who wouldn’t repair it but would do a re core on it for $800. I never inquired into an aluminum radiator at that time. Maybe I’ll give them a call to get me an aluminum radiator. Debating bring it to them to install and run new trans cooler lines. I’ll deal with the engine and trans angle at a later date. That’s gonna be a fun one. Thanks again for the help.
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Re: 57 Chevy pickup radiator questions
 

most of the truck vendors have stock look radiators.
most only carry the heavy duty 4 core designed for v-8s running in the dessert.
if you ever plan on an auto trans you can buy them with internal trans cooler.
i covered mine :D