1949 GMC Radiator - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

wigadore · 07-20-2009, 10:16 PM

I have a 1949 GMC Pickup project and I am in the need of a radiator that fits the stock core mount that will cool an LS1 and 700R4 Tranny. I have been told that the Chevy Rads are a different size and will not fit...hence all the rads I have found I need to modify. Does anyone know of a business that will custom build a unit to the right dimensions for this model of truck.

Thanks in advance

OrrieG · 07-20-2009, 11:57 PM

I think companies like Griffen do custom work, but at a cost. Do the GMC big trucks (1.5 ton up) have a larger radiator that fits the 1/2 ton supports? On my 59 Chevy I got a big truck radiator it is 1" thicker and about 1.5" wider but still bolts in the same location as the original one. With the sbc there is plenty of room between the radiator and fan so clearance is not an issue.

nickp51chevy · 07-21-2009, 12:24 AM

I've heard that 60's mustangs fit and also that 30's ford truck rads fit, but I don't know if they will hold up to an LS1. becool makes a direct replacement rated to 350 hp, with those your spending a lot of money.

Atomsplitter · 07-21-2009, 07:39 AM

I bought my rad. on eBay that I put into my '48. It cost me about $300, it's sized for 600hp and it fits well simply by mounting it at the aluminum angle welded to the rad. I had to mount it at the back of the rad. frame because it is too thick to fit inside. I had no clearance issues but as you can see from the picture it's pretty close.
If your wondering about the hose that attaches to the top centre of the rad., thats my hot water relief for the backside of the LT1. It has reverse flow cooling and there's a hot spot near the passenger side rear of the motor that effects the intake manifold seal and will make it leak with long term exposure to heat. The rad. hose inlet was moved to the side by a welder friend of mine because the water pump discharges on this side and my air intake hoses would otherwise have been in the way.

Tonight I'll try to get the company name, I know the're in Michigan.

P.S. = Just as a heads up, I had questioned in various forums regarding what size of overflow I needed to fit my rad./motor set-up and no one could tell me the size I needed based on experience or to calculate the volumetric expansion of the water. The nice chrome coolant overflow I bought is too small a volume for this size of radiator. Mine is 15" long, I should have either bought the 18" long or at least a wider one. Hind-sight is wonderful.....keep learning from my mistakes!

54 jimmy · 07-21-2009, 04:58 PM

nickp51chevy is right the 60 mustang rad is what i plan to put in my truck. it all depends on if my orignal rad can be fixed.

Atomsplitter · 07-21-2009, 06:04 PM

This Desert Cooler 47-55 V8 rad. is currently up for sale on eBay for $275....2 days left.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1947-...A1%7C72%3A1171

Atomsplitter · 07-21-2009, 08:06 PM

I bought mine ($350) from http://www.superiorradiator.com/ in Clemens, Michigan. If you check them out on the internet you'll find most people dealing with them are happy but there seems to be an issue with getting people their stuff in a timely manner. It took me 3-1/2 weeks to get mine and about 5 phone calls but it is nice and works great.

Good Luck

07-20-2009, 10:16 PM	#1
wigadore Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 75	1949 GMC Radiator I have a 1949 GMC Pickup project and I am in the need of a radiator that fits the stock core mount that will cool an LS1 and 700R4 Tranny. I have been told that the Chevy Rads are a different size and will not fit...hence all the rads I have found I need to modify. Does anyone know of a business that will custom build a unit to the right dimensions for this model of truck. Thanks in advance

07-20-2009, 11:57 PM	#2
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	Re: 1949 GMC Radiator I think companies like Griffen do custom work, but at a cost. Do the GMC big trucks (1.5 ton up) have a larger radiator that fits the 1/2 ton supports? On my 59 Chevy I got a big truck radiator it is 1" thicker and about 1.5" wider but still bolts in the same location as the original one. With the sbc there is plenty of room between the radiator and fan so clearance is not an issue. __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project Last edited by OrrieG; 07-20-2009 at 11:57 PM.

07-21-2009, 12:24 AM	#3
nickp51chevy Registered Chevy Owner Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Snohomish, wa Posts: 1,557	Re: 1949 GMC Radiator I've heard that 60's mustangs fit and also that 30's ford truck rads fit, but I don't know if they will hold up to an LS1. becool makes a direct replacement rated to 350 hp, with those your spending a lot of money. __________________ Love is fleeting, but Chevy trucks are forever!!!! 1970 Chevy CST C10 long box 350/400 2008 Chevy Silverado short box 4x4 Had; 1951 Chevy short box 307/T5 1988 Chevy shot box 4x4 350/350 1971 Chevy C10 long box 4x4 350/350 1971 Chevy C20 long box 350/350 1971 Chevy C10 long box 350/350

07-21-2009, 07:39 AM	#4
Atomsplitter Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ontario Posts: 514	Re: 1949 GMC Radiator I bought my rad. on eBay that I put into my '48. It cost me about $300, it's sized for 600hp and it fits well simply by mounting it at the aluminum angle welded to the rad. I had to mount it at the back of the rad. frame because it is too thick to fit inside. I had no clearance issues but as you can see from the picture it's pretty close. If your wondering about the hose that attaches to the top centre of the rad., thats my hot water relief for the backside of the LT1. It has reverse flow cooling and there's a hot spot near the passenger side rear of the motor that effects the intake manifold seal and will make it leak with long term exposure to heat. The rad. hose inlet was moved to the side by a welder friend of mine because the water pump discharges on this side and my air intake hoses would otherwise have been in the way. Tonight I'll try to get the company name, I know the're in Michigan. P.S. = Just as a heads up, I had questioned in various forums regarding what size of overflow I needed to fit my rad./motor set-up and no one could tell me the size I needed based on experience or to calculate the volumetric expansion of the water. The nice chrome coolant overflow I bought is too small a volume for this size of radiator. Mine is 15" long, I should have either bought the 18" long or at least a wider one. Hind-sight is wonderful.....keep learning from my mistakes! Attached Images Last edited by Atomsplitter; 07-21-2009 at 01:34 PM.

07-21-2009, 04:58 PM	#5
54 jimmy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: pittston,PA Posts: 1,183	Re: 1949 GMC Radiator nickp51chevy is right the 60 mustang rad is what i plan to put in my truck. it all depends on if my orignal rad can be fixed. __________________ There is nothing you can't fix with a BFH or a FIRE WRENCH. 1997 chevy k1500 ext cab z71 (daily driver) sold 1996 chevy k1500 reg cab 4x4(daily driver)totaled 2008jeep patriot (wife's daily driver 2008 chevy 1500 ext cab 4x4 sold 2011 chevy 1500 crew cab ltz (daily driver) 1996 chevy 1500 reg cab 4x4 project sold 2006 pontiac grand prix gxp (daily work commuter) Last edited by 54 jimmy; 07-21-2009 at 04:58 PM.

07-21-2009, 06:04 PM	#6
Atomsplitter Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ontario Posts: 514	Re: 1949 GMC Radiator This Desert Cooler 47-55 V8 rad. is currently up for sale on eBay for $275....2 days left. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1947-...A1%7C72%3A1171 Last edited by Atomsplitter; 07-21-2009 at 06:06 PM.

07-21-2009, 08:06 PM	#7
Atomsplitter Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ontario Posts: 514	Re: 1949 GMC Radiator I bought mine ($350) from http://www.superiorradiator.com/ in Clemens, Michigan. If you check them out on the internet you'll find most people dealing with them are happy but there seems to be an issue with getting people their stuff in a timely manner. It took me 3-1/2 weeks to get mine and about 5 phone calls but it is nice and works great. Good Luck



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