3 or 4 row

[Bullzak_83]

Hey All,
Question its time to replace the radiator in my 70 cst 10 .
I have repaired it all I can, the tubes are getting really thin.
My question is, I have been seeing options for a 3 row or 4 row W/ A/C, and yes i have A/C and the old radiator is a 4 row.
NOW before everyone starts dog piling on me I understand the whole the thicker the coil the more efficient, but my question is was there a option for a 3 or 4 row coil on a 70 cst. Just wondering why I am given the option between the 2.
Just thinking if I don't need a 4 row why get a 4 row, has anyone gone from a 4 to a 3 row?

Thanks.

[Smitty]

Why not have yours recored?

[kwmech]

upper and lower mounting pockets will be different

[morepwr]

I would rather have the 4 row. If you have more radiator than you need, the thermostat regulates it and if you dont have enough radiator, you get to sit along the road waiting for it to cool off.

[1970 CST Short Wide]

I’m the 2nd owner of my 70 CST and it had and still has a 4 core Rad. It’s been though my SB, BB and now my LS. It’s been cleaned up and modified a couple of times. If it ever gets to the point of a recore, that’s what I’ll do. I imagine it was a 4 core because of factory air, as mine is
Just My 2c

[jimijam00]

My vote is for option three. Two core tripple pass.

[Bullzak_83]

Originally Posted by jimijam00

My vote is for option three. Two core tripple pass.

jimijam00, Did not think about it that way..

[Bullzak_83]

Originally Posted by Smitty

Why not have yours recored?

Hey Smitty, called around this morning to check on that. Copper prices must be WAY up, it was going to cost more to get it recored than it was to just replace.

[Bullzak_83]

Originally Posted by morepwr

I would rather have the 4 row. If you have more radiator than you need, the thermostat regulates it and if you dont have enough radiator, you get to sit along the road waiting for it to cool off.

Morepwr, I get it, I was just wondering if this was a option when you ordered the truck, maybe a upgrade back then from a 3 row to a 4 row.

[Bullzak_83]

Originally Posted by 1970 CST Short Wide

I’m the 2nd owner of my 70 CST and it had and still has a 4 core Rad. It’s been though my SB, BB and now my LS. It’s been cleaned up and modified a couple of times. If it ever gets to the point of a recore, that’s what I’ll do. I imagine it was a 4 core because of factory air, as mine is
Just My 2c

1970 CST Short Wide, that's what I'm curious about was that a option, if you didn't have air maybe you got a 3 row. Granted they did things alittle different back then now days your options are upgraded sterio, onstar and so on

[Stocker]

Well, I am no help at all but here's my two cents. My '72 K20 has factory air. I replaced the original radiator many years ago and scrapped it. Don't remember what it was, probably a 3-row, but I know for sure it was not a 4-row. I replaced that old rad with a new 4-row copper/brass unit that's still working great after fixing some small leaks a few years back.

[HO455]

There only 2 tank sizes from the factory. Referred to as the 2 row and the 4 row. I've never seen any factory documentation that states how many rows each radiator option had.
I do know that there are some differences in the factory transmission cooler sizes inside the tanks.
As far as recoring the radiator there are different types available today and a 3 core designed to fit the 4 core tanks is available. There are plenty of cheaper options than a true GM factory style core. The best factory style cores are made in Canada presently.
I would inquire at your radiator shop about the different cores available for your tanks and what the differences are. If they don't know about any differences go somewhere else.
My factory style 4 core with the large plate style transmission cooler was $700 back in April 2018. It came with a 5 year warranty. My Burban is a daily driver and I do tow occasionally with it so for me the piece of mind was well worth the cost.
Ultimately what size you choose will be a balance between budget and your driving needs.
If your current radiator is keeping the engine cool why downsize?
If you're okay with having to modify the mounts and shroud pickup a low cost roundy round aluminum radiator you can save some money upfront but, be aware aluminum radiator cores aren't really repairable. Covering holes with epoxy is all you can do. Where as copper can be soldered for a permanent repair.
By today's standards GM had under sized radiators and fans back in the day. They were never expected to encounter stop and go traffic.
Happy shopping!

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by HO455

There only 2 tank sizes from the factory. Referred to as the 2 row and the 4 row.

That being the case, my original (mentioned above) must have been a 2-row. All I remember is it was awfully skinny.

[Already Gone]

I have a 72 C10 with a 350 and Factory A/C and it has its original 3 core rad and I thought it should/would have the 4 Core cause of the A/C. Looking at it it has the same tanks as a 4 core rad. Engine and rad recently pulled from my truck as putting in another small block in a few months. I've been going back and forth for a year or two now whether to get an aftermarket brass/copper rad or get mine recored into a 4 core. Timely thread for me as I'm taking the rad to the local, been in business for 100 years, rad shop for a quote and options for the rad. I took the original heater core from my 76 Dodge pickup there last year as core was shot and they had bulk cores there and cut a piece to fit the core and works perfect. I will keep you posted as to what they say. I do expect to be paying more for a recore than an aftermarket brass/copper rad but trying to keep truck as original as I can.

[Jcfcamaro]

I'd go with a big tube aluminum radiator from ECP ( engineering cooling products) . They have one for non A/C and one which is wider for the A/C trucks. It will cool alot better.

[Already Gone]

Originally Posted by Already Gone

I have a 72 C10 with a 350 and Factory A/C and it has its original 3 core rad and I thought it should/would have the 4 Core cause of the A/C. Looking at it it has the same tanks as a 4 core rad. Engine and rad recently pulled from my truck as putting in another small block in a few months. I've been going back and forth for a year or two now whether to get an aftermarket brass/copper rad or get mine recored into a 4 core. Timely thread for me as I'm taking the rad to the local, been in business for 100 years, rad shop for a quote and options for the rad. I took the original heater core from my 76 Dodge pickup there last year as core was shot and they had bulk cores there and cut a piece to fit the core and works perfect. I will keep you posted as to what they say. I do expect to be paying more for a recore than an aftermarket brass/copper rad but trying to keep truck as original as I can.

Took mine in today and am going to get recored to a 4 core and its local with a warranty. Not exactly sure on cost yet but will be more than most aftermarkets.

[geunther]

If I am understanding correctly, a 3 core will fit both the 4 core tanks and the 2 core tanks? The reason I ask is my truck originally had a 2 core. When I had it done a month ago he cored it to 3 for me with the original tanks.

Just curious.

[Already Gone]

Originally Posted by geunther

If I am understanding correctly, a 3 core will fit both the 4 core tanks and the 2 core tanks? The reason I ask is my truck originally had a 2 core. When I had it done a month ago he cored it to 3 for me with the original tanks.

Just curious.

Actually getting mine done as a 2 core was an option too but more costly than the 3 or 4 core.

[jimijam00]

Rows. It's rows, not cores.

[Already Gone]

Originally Posted by jimijam00

Rows. It's rows, not cores.

Your right but knew what I meant lol

[jimijam00]

For real.

[HO455]

Originally Posted by geunther

If I am understanding correctly, a 3 core will fit both the 4 core tanks and the 2 core tanks? The reason I ask is my truck originally had a 2 core. When I had it done a month ago he cored it to 3 for me with the original tanks.

Just curious.

The aftermarket has many different sized cores and that allows them to mix and match cores to tanks. A 3 row core in 2 row tanks will likely have smaller tubes than an original 2 row core would have. Not bad thing just different.
Things were much more cut and dry back in the day.

[Davidf]

I went with a 3 row/core. Engine that previously ran hot in summer with a/c on at idle went to temp gauge sitting in middle or occasionally just to the right of center.

Now with my LS 5.3L swap, the gauge sits well to left of center.

I did have to section my top brackets.