4-Row Radiator Swap Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

48richard · 03-01-2011, 11:26 AM

I'm going to upgrade to a 4-row radiator in my 71. Since this is my daily driver I don't want to take it apart and then find I have to go looking for more parts.
I have the upper brackets and rubber; my question is what do I need to do at the bottom - do I need new brackets there as well?

Thanks!

Richard

Dano69c10 · 03-01-2011, 11:34 AM

Yes, there are upper and lower brackets. If you have a smaller rad, you will have to drill out the rivets on the old bottom brackets. You will need new nuts and bolts to bolt in the new bottom brackets. You will also have to get a pair of pliers and carefully bend the bottom lip of the core support in order for the new bottom brackets to fit. I can get pics for you, but if you have the assembly manual for our trucks, it is shown in there.
Dano

**Dave** · 03-01-2011, 11:42 AM

You will need the top and bottom retainers. The bottom retainers were rivoted to the core support for trucks that had a 4 core rad originally. Some Chevy vans i.e. (73-80 something) c20 -30 w/air and a 4 core rad have the same retainers.

KrazyRay · 03-01-2011, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

You will need the top and bottom retainers. The bottom retainers were rivoted to the core support for trucks that had a 4 core rad originally. Some Chevy vans i.e. (73-80 something) c20 -30 w/air and a 4 core rad have the same retainers.

Dave, that is great info on the vans. I have a couple of them that I picked up for the columns. I did not know there were other compatible parts.
48richard- There is a bunch of vans at the local pick n pull yard...you should be able to get your lowers there.

48richard · 03-01-2011, 02:23 PM

Thank you, guys. Helpful as always.

Richard

**Dave** · 03-01-2011, 02:32 PM

Richard, Crazyray, glad to help.

Here's a little something else I noticed about the vans and was wondering if anyone knew for sure. The 73-80 C-30 Dana full floating rear w/ posi will this work under the 67-72s? Looks like the rear is almost the same width. Thoughts...

KrazyRay · 03-01-2011, 04:38 PM

Dave, that is a good trinket. I have a van chassis motor home (class c) with that floater rear end.

03-01-2011, 11:26 AM	#1
48richard Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 475	4-Row Radiator Swap Question I'm going to upgrade to a 4-row radiator in my 71. Since this is my daily driver I don't want to take it apart and then find I have to go looking for more parts. I have the upper brackets and rubber; my question is what do I need to do at the bottom - do I need new brackets there as well? Thanks! Richard __________________ 1971 C10 Longbed, 350/TH350

03-01-2011, 11:34 AM	#2
Dano69c10 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ontario, Kali Posts: 2,427	Re: 4-Row Radiator Swap Question Yes, there are upper and lower brackets. If you have a smaller rad, you will have to drill out the rivets on the old bottom brackets. You will need new nuts and bolts to bolt in the new bottom brackets. You will also have to get a pair of pliers and carefully bend the bottom lip of the core support in order for the new bottom brackets to fit. I can get pics for you, but if you have the assembly manual for our trucks, it is shown in there. Dano __________________ '69 Fleet It ain't yours, if you didn't build it!

03-01-2011, 11:42 AM	#3
Dave DND Trucks Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 2,382	Re: 4-Row Radiator Swap Question You will need the top and bottom retainers. The bottom retainers were rivoted to the core support for trucks that had a 4 core rad originally. Some Chevy vans i.e. (73-80 something) c20 -30 w/air and a 4 core rad have the same retainers.

03-01-2011, 02:23 PM	#5
48richard Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 475	Re: 4-Row Radiator Swap Question Thank you, guys. Helpful as always. Richard __________________ 1971 C10 Longbed, 350/TH350

03-01-2011, 02:32 PM	#6
Dave DND Trucks Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 2,382	Re: 4-Row Radiator Swap Question Richard, Crazyray, glad to help. Here's a little something else I noticed about the vans and was wondering if anyone knew for sure. The 73-80 C-30 Dana full floating rear w/ posi will this work under the 67-72s? Looks like the rear is almost the same width. Thoughts...

03-01-2011, 04:38 PM	#7
KrazyRay Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oroville, CA Posts: 4,827	Re: 4-Row Radiator Swap Question Dave, that is a good trinket. I have a van chassis motor home (class c) with that floater rear end.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.