My Radiator Won't fit

[Pole Kitty]

Ok, so I bought a new Radiator, one of those 4 row super HD that will cool anything but an reactor, Well it doesn't fit right. The problem is that top brackets are about 1/2" to 3/4" to high to fit flush with the support. I noticed that the spot where the lower brackets sit is raised about that same distance at the bottom of the support. I don't know if that area where the bottom brackets attach is suppose to be raised on a 1968, or is it flat along the rear of the support on the new supports ( I will be getting a new one soon). I measured the new radiator and compared the overall height to the 2 row that I removed and it is about 1/2" differance. I didn't know if the HD radiator supports that I bought from Brothers might be the issue, or the radiator that I got locally. Any help would be greatfull before I start cutting and beating this thing in to position.

[LockDoc]

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The four row will use different top and bottom supports than the two row. I would also get new rubber pads for the top & bottom supports. If the radiator is the correct one for the truck I would think it would be the same dimensions as the old one... There might be a small difference but I wouldn't think it would be a half inch.

LockDoc

[Pole Kitty]

I bought new rad. supports and rubber pads. I am wondering if the front support is a little differant where the lower rad. support mounts?

[LockDoc]

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To the best of my knowledge the core supports are all the same where the lower support brackets mount...

LockDoc

[71tahoe]

My radiator support needed a little relief where the lower pads mount. This may be causing the rad to stick up a half inch.

[HavinSomeFun]

I had to move my lower mounts to the outer position and it fit like a glove.

[Pole Kitty]

The lower rad. mount on the R/H side was moved to the outer position and I did have to cut (or notch) the 2 areas where the lower mounts fit so they would fit flat against the core support, but it's still to high for the upper mounts to fit flush. Has anybody taken pics of a new core support in the area where the the lower rad. mounts sit so I can compare them with a original support?

[Classic Heartbeat]

If your brackets are too high, then the radiator is the problem. If it is not a direct replacement for the OEM equipment, then you may have to modify the truck for it to fit. Or get the correct replacement radiator. WES

[Pole Kitty]

Thanks WES, I was afraid of that. When I measured the stock and the new rad. and found a 1/2" diff. in overall height I figured I would encounter a problem, But you buy a replacement that covers the years between 68-72 you would think it will fit. For the price of the rad. ($245) I think I can do a little mod or 2 to make it fit. Has any bought from BROTHERS, the HD rad. mount kit? I was wondering of the upper mounts might be part of the problem.

[Classic Heartbeat]

The kit that you will get from Brothers is for a direct replacement radiator. The amount of cores or rows as some people call them will only effect the thickness of the radiator. Not the height or width. So if the radiator is too short it is too short. No matter what brackets you use. The brackets for the 4 row radiator alow for the extra thickness that the 4 row radiator has. WES

[67ChevyRedneck]

I'm still a little confused... are you sure you have the right brackets? If your truck did not have a 4 row before, the bottom mounts are riveted in place, you have to drill them out to install the wider 4 row brackets. The top brackets are wider as well. 2 and 3 row radiators have the same width tank, with the 2 row using the "inside" mounting position on the passenger side and the 3 row using the "outside" mounting position. A 4 row uses the "outside" mounting position AND wider brackets. If the rubber and brackets do not easily/snugly fit over top/bottom of the tank, they are the wrong ones. I apologize if you have replaced them to the 4 row type, but your posts aren't very clear on that. I can only assume that the tanks/radiator is sitting "higher" because it wont fit down into the narrower 2/3 core brackets. I too discovered this difference when I bought my 4 row earlier this year.

Also, I picked up a factory style 4 row automatic radiator from Advance Auto for right around $200, they even had it in stock!

[Boog]

I also had some fit issues with mine. I bought an aftermarket 4 row rad for my 69 that originally had a 6 cyl engine. I bought new upper and lower brackets and pads from my local Chevy dealer. With the new rad put in place it seemed to be too tall for the upper brackets to bolt down. I put it off on the newer rubber pads and bolted it down anyway. I don't remember if it was 1/2" high or not but the upper brackets weren't level like the old ones. It isn't going to go anywhere for sure!
I also have another issue with this rad and it's the stock fan shroud will not bolt in place without modifying it. It is not for the 4 row rad.

[69chevybmx]

I had this same exact problem. i got a new HD radiator allegedly a direct replacement. i also purchased the HD brackets from LMC thinking the upper bracket for the HD radiator would be different. to my surprise, they are the same, (kind of). The OE brackets on my 69 were two different sizes. The side with the fill cap was a larger length because the tank on that side was wider. the tank on the other side of the radiator was about 2" thinner. The HD brackets that i received were the same size as the larger of the OE brackets. The lower mounts and pads were also the same size. i ended up modifying the new brackets that i bought (against my will) along w/ the new rubber pads. between the upper and lower i was able to shave off enough to get it to clear. I am still not happy with the fit though and i will be modifying the core support to make it sit flush.

[BLACK AND BLUE 67-72]

Have you tightened the radiator down yet? Mine set a little too high until I tightened the top mounts down, you will also have to notch the lower support because the brackets are longer.

[Orange67]

As far as the bottom brackets, those should be rivets, but with these trucks anything is possible. The shroud, which also needs to be for the larger 4 core, there are "S" shaped brackets that the bottom slides into. I can't remember where I found mine. Hope that helps.

[Z10]

Try this
http://www.speedcooling.com/1967_197..._Radiator.html

Made in USA, drops right in. I've run one for over 11,000 miles and 3 summers in Hot West Texas, cooling a warmed up ZZ4 with TPI and A/C with zero issues.

Also a quality 2 row will cool better than a 3 or 4 core. It's counter intuitive. Some light reading:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/gener...rass-tech.html

You can see my install on my build thread.

And lastly some visuals:

[Ricebird]

Thanks, Orange67 and Z10! Got the original lower brackets drilled out, flange notched and new brackets pop-riveted in place. Actually ordered and have the new radiator that you recommend, Z10, so I feel good about that decision. It drops right in but the brackets appear to set a little higher, probably due to the new pads. I appreciate all of the great info and I'm sure I'll need more assistance in the near future!

[Z10]

Originally Posted by Ricebird

Thanks, Orange67 and Z10! Got the original lower brackets drilled out, flange notched and new brackets pop-riveted in place. Actually ordered and have the new radiator that you recommend, Z10, so I feel good about that decision. It drops right in but the brackets appear to set a little higher, probably due to the new pads. I appreciate all of the great info and I'm sure I'll need more assistance in the near future!

Happy to help.

[Ricebird]

Got my new radiator in and it fits fine but I have another question. My '68 has a powerglide transmission and, therefore, my new radiator has an integrated transmission oil cooler. I know I lost some fluid with the change so my question is, what transmission fluid is compatible with my powerglide? Can I top off my fluid (that is probably more than 20 years old) with the newest version (Dexron, I think)?

[GASoline71]

Dexron III

Gary

[engineer_gregh]

Fully TIG welded construction with no epoxy.

[Cfortin]

I know this is an old post.... but i am installing a new radiator and it also sits about 1/2 high for flush mounting of new brackets, i notched the lower already. Has anyone come up with a desent mod for mounting the upper radiator supports??
Posted via Mobile Device

[roboticjunky]

Originally Posted by Cfortin

I know this is an old post.... but i am installing a new radiator and it also sits about 1/2 high for flush mounting of new brackets, i notched the lower already. Has anyone come up with a desent mod for mounting the upper radiator supports??
Posted via Mobile Device

Cutting the rubber pads down for the bottom and top supports. Some people have even cut an old bicycle tire and used it as the rubber pads.

[Mike (Asheville)]

When I installed my radiator I initially found the same problem, i.e., the top bracket was sitting a half inch too high. But I as I tightened the bolts, the rubber compressed and the bracket went into position perfectly.