![]() |
Register or Log In To remove these advertisements. |
|
|
![]() |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
![]() |
#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Simpsonville, SC
Posts: 255
|
radiator advice needed
Hey guys, radiator question that I couldn't get the desired info from searching. I am putting in a new 383 into my truck (manual, non-ac) and want to replace radiator at the same time. Currently has 2 core so I know I have to improve that. I live in south Texas and will likely add an aftermarket a/c in the future. Do I want a 3 core or 4 core radiator? I will run a clutch fan with a shroud. And does it matter what brand as long as it is a direct fit? Is the autozone rad as good as the rad shop radiator? I know i have to replace the mounting straps if I go with 4 core.
Opinions and expert advice both welcome Posted via Mobile Device
__________________
1969 GMC 3/4 ton, 307, 4-speed NP435GL, DANA 60, 4.10, HD rear leafs, manual everything, leaking oil and water. Now rocking 383, NV4500, power steering, power brakes. Finally undergoing restoration. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Old Skool Club
![]() Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas"
Posts: 10,880
|
Re: radiator advice needed
My A/C truck with a 350 came with a 4-row core radiator. I'm thinking you don't need anything less. You'll also want that shroud, since the fan creates a vacuum as it turns and that helps to pull air through the radiator when you are sitting still. Since you're in south Texas, you know it can get hot.
If you go with an aftermarket dual electric fan setup you won't need the shroud, but that's your shot to call.
__________________
Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Old Bridge,NJ
Posts: 829
|
Re: radiator advice needed
Sorry don't know much about cooling but, I just seen a Suburban 2wd auto 350 A/C loaded with options. I found it odd that it was a single core. I did put a four core in mine and it's six cyl auto . I got the rad at a bone yard bought it to the rad shop they presser test , boil it and pianted all for 110.00 But as far as were i'd buy mind it would be the rad shop. I like to support the mom and pop shops. Nick
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Italy
Posts: 1,278
|
Re: radiator advice needed
Are you looking to keep it stock or are you willing to go aluminum? I live here in Austin and run an aluminum 3 core. I picked it up on Ebay for less than $250. On a hot Texas day the temp in traffic peaks at 195 and cruises below 165. On a day less than 90 degrees it gets almost too cool. Cruise temp drops to 158. Has me thinking to ditch the 160 thermostat for something a little warmer. I'm running an Edelbrock water pump, 160 thermostat, aluminum radiator and a single electric fan with no shroud.
__________________
'68 C-10 SWB 383 Stroker (Sold 3/2/2013) '87 R2500 LWB 454 TBI converted to Carb ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SOMERSET KY.
Posts: 6,427
|
Re: radiator advice needed
WITH RADIATORS... BIGGER IS BETTER. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ONE BEING TOO COOL & I LIVED IN THE HIGH DESERT OF NEVADA. YOU CAN ALWAYS REGULATE THE AMOUNT OF COOLING WITH A HOTTER THERMOSTAT IF DESIRED. JOHN
![]()
__________________
junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. ![]() LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires
![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 23,090
|
Re: radiator advice needed
I had a stock 3 row, auto, 7 blade clutch fan. All was fine until I added A/C. I had to get a stock 4 row. I think I got it from advance for $200-210... and get this, it was in stock.
__________________
Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride ![]() American Born, Country by the Grace of God ![]() 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications! |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Sisyphus was my mentor!
![]() Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Carleton Place, Ontario CANADA
Posts: 984
|
Re: radiator advice needed
I like the look of an old skool 4 core factory style rad. I do love the aluminum look too, but the factoy big rad is still the coolest. Get it with the trans cooler in case you do one day go auto...
__________________
passthebuck ![]() #5642 -TWO 1967 GMC 910's. One with L6/3-on-the tree and the other with 355 w/435hp & a 700r4. -a 2013 Honda Civic as my "sensible" car |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Gone to greener pastures
![]() Join Date: May 2007
Location: Gateway to the Delta
Posts: 7,354
|
Re: radiator advice needed
We replaced the straight 6 in my truck with a mild 355 & ran the factory 2 core without any cooling problems.
Having said that, the factory radiator started to 'weep' in a couple places (Hell, it was only 38 years old), so I pulled it to have it recored. Call me strange, but I just wanted to keep the factory Harrison tanks. But I digress. I was going to go with a 4 core, but the owner of the radiator shop talked me out of that & into a 3 core. I haven't had a bit of cooling problems. In fact, like AusTx68 sometimes it's a bit too cool. That's my story & I'm sticking to it. LJ
__________________
'69 Chevy 1/2 T LWB Stepper: Daily Beater '72 GMC 3/4 T Fleet: Another Daily Beater '72 Plymouth Gran Coupe: ? "Ah women. They make the highs higher and the lows more frequent." Friedrich Nietzsche "Never kick a fresh turd on a hot day." Harry S. Truman GUN CONTROL: Never having to say, "I missed you." Always fire two warning shots into your attacker's chest area before putting a bullet between his eyes. Paraphrased from Louis Awerbuck |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Roanoke, Tx.
Posts: 1,561
|
Re: radiator advice needed
I put a 4 core desert cooler radiator in my truck. It has vintage air, shroud, and clutch fan. Radiator came with a life time warranty. Cools real cool.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Simpsonville, SC
Posts: 255
|
Re: radiator advice needed
while i love the look of OE stuff, i also like the idea of using the 3 core aluminum radiator and hopefully avoid having to replace all those radiator mounting straps.
any recs on better ones to get than others?
__________________
1969 GMC 3/4 ton, 307, 4-speed NP435GL, DANA 60, 4.10, HD rear leafs, manual everything, leaking oil and water. Now rocking 383, NV4500, power steering, power brakes. Finally undergoing restoration. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Oak Harbor, Washington
Posts: 20
|
Re: radiator advice needed
FSR Products i got a aluminum built for my truck shipped $400 its great no heating issues at all and im running a big block
__________________
71 c10 long bed 454/TH400 "chrome wont get you home" |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Newark,Il
Posts: 615
|
Re: radiator advice needed
gmcbubba, I have a good 4 core rad for a manual trans truck for sale if your interested in buying used.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Austin Texas
Posts: 84
|
Re: radiator advice needed
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 |
Champagne Taste on Beer Budget
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: High Ridge, Missouri
Posts: 2,190
|
Re: radiator advice needed
I bought an aluminum raditor off ebay for $125 plus shipping.
The only thing I found out installing it was I need 3-4 row raditor mounts to make it work properly. It's been a good raditor for the money as I plan on running A/C on my SBC 406 once I get my truck back together. ![]()
__________________
Coming Soon: Project 1970 Country Truck |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 | |
"THE GREEN GOBLIN"
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Fremont Ca.
Posts: 1,025
|
Re: radiator advice needed
Quote:
__________________
![]() "THE GREEN GOBLIN" 1972 Cheyenne 10 Short Fleet Side Front 2.5inch Spindles with 2inch Springs Rear 4inch drop Springs. 454BBC TH400,Posi 1971 Cheyenne 10 Long Fleet Side 454BBC TH350,Posi ![]() Drive it like you stole it! ![]() Petey-pablo@sbcglobal.net |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#16 |
Champagne Taste on Beer Budget
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: High Ridge, Missouri
Posts: 2,190
|
Re: radiator advice needed
__________________
Coming Soon: Project 1970 Country Truck |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Simpsonville, SC
Posts: 255
|
Re: radiator advice needed
i assume i should try to avoid the radiators with the plastic tanks and aluminum? those prone to failure more frequently? autozone carries those for pretty cheap
__________________
1969 GMC 3/4 ton, 307, 4-speed NP435GL, DANA 60, 4.10, HD rear leafs, manual everything, leaking oil and water. Now rocking 383, NV4500, power steering, power brakes. Finally undergoing restoration. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Elgin Mn
Posts: 112
|
Re: radiator advice needed
They use a gasket to seal the tanks to the core. I would pony up and get it done right the first time. In all my years of being a tech I have seen many radiators go bad. Usually from the gasket not sealing after a while. I have fixed them too with a pair of pliers but....I digress...I will be going to aluminum when the A/c gets in
Last edited by llowlife; 09-11-2010 at 09:29 PM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Austin Texas
Posts: 84
|
Re: radiator advice needed
The guys in the link I gave above make one for 67-72 models with no fans and charge less than $400. It may or may not be in the link. Send em a message.
Posted via Mobile Device |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Simpsonville, SC
Posts: 255
|
Re: radiator advice needed
thanks, guys, for all the input. i actually went with a new OEM style copper/brass 4 row radiator from o'reilly's for 178 and a new set of saddles with rubber for $48 from ebay. hopefully all will work out well.
__________________
1969 GMC 3/4 ton, 307, 4-speed NP435GL, DANA 60, 4.10, HD rear leafs, manual everything, leaking oil and water. Now rocking 383, NV4500, power steering, power brakes. Finally undergoing restoration. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Bookmarks |
|
|