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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Central Coast Ca.
Posts: 417
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Need larger radiator for 71 C10 with L6
Greetings
My 71 C10 with 250 needs a new radiator. It has the original size (2 core?) thin radiator. If I'm going to replace this radiator I'd like to add some capacity. What size would fit in this truck? Would be nice to replace with a 3-4 core radiator. Here's the radiator that's currently in the truck. I'm assuming it's either the original or an original-replacement. ![]() The two top tank hold down clamps are spaced 26.5" center-center. thanks Last edited by Carl Spangler; 06-28-2017 at 12:59 PM. |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Central Coast Ca.
Posts: 417
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Re: Need larger radiator for 71 C10 with L6
Are the plastic tank and aluminum core radiators decent or junk?
Edit: Did a quick search and it looks like plastic tank radiators are pretty much standard now. I'll probably order an NPD radiator. Last edited by Carl Spangler; 06-28-2017 at 04:44 PM. |
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#3 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Hollister Mo
Posts: 137
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Re: Need larger radiator for 71 C10 with L6
Hey Carl,
I know this is a year old post but what did you end up doing to solve your radiator issue. I am now in the same boat you were a year ago and looking for a radiator. |
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#4 | |
The Older Generation
![]() ![]() ![]() Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Montezuma, Iowa
Posts: 25,487
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Re: Need larger radiator for 71 C10 with L6
Quote:
He hasn't been on since 10/22/18 but you never know when someone will pop back in...... Just a heads up. LockDoc
__________________
Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 - |
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#5 |
Special Order
![]() ![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,859
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Re: Need larger radiator for 71 C10 with L6
Just get a 3 or 4 core radiator for this year truck. You will need the corresponding hold downs and lower saddles. They are found on the parts board pretty regularly
__________________
"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ |
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#6 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Central Coast Ca.
Posts: 417
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Re: Need larger radiator for 71 C10 with L6
Quote:
I also installed an overflow tank and a 10# cap. The "low pressure" cap allows the coolant to partially fill the overflow tank every time the engine is run warm-hot. When the engine cools the fluid is sucked back into the radiator/engine. This discharge-refill process eventually fills all of the air voids in the engine. At that point there is maximum heat transfer from the hot parts of the head into the coolant system. The whole coolant system works fabulous now and the low pressure (10#) cap means the system isn't being stressed with high pressure. Works GREAT! ![]() Last edited by Carl Spangler; 06-14-2019 at 09:39 AM. |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Central Coast Ca.
Posts: 417
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Re: Need larger radiator for 71 C10 with L6
Quick update after another minor mod:
I switched out the 10# radiator cap to a 7 pound Stant 10328 Lev-R-Vent cap. With the new 3 core radiator this truck rarely hits 190 degrees and the 7 pound cap with overflow tank works perfecto! ![]() |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Mena,Arkansas
Posts: 485
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Re: Need larger radiator for 71 C10 with L6
Glad to see it all worked out!
__________________
68' with no bells or whistles unless I add'em. |
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#9 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Hollister Mo
Posts: 137
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Re: Need larger radiator for 71 C10 with L6
Thank You Carl Spangler for the reply. Great to hear its working out good for you.
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Williamston, Mi
Posts: 882
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Re: Need larger radiator for 71 C10 with L6
Carl,
Glad this all worked out for you. I'm also in the same boat, I need a radiator for my 6 cyc. I'm adding Air to the truck, mine has a radiator shroud, I see yours didn't. Do you know what the over flow tank came off from, looks like it belongs there. |
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#11 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Central Coast Ca.
Posts: 417
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Re: Need larger radiator for 71 C10 with L6
Quote:
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...85692&_sacat=0 |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Whitehorse yukon
Posts: 1,218
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Re: Need larger radiator for 71 C10 with L6
From reading up some aluminum rads can cool better from being able to have larger wider tubes then old 4 core copper rads
Stock caps are 15 psi with overflow tank i would be inclined to look for a cap at 15 psi with overflow capability Places like rock auto list all aluminium rads for our trucks |
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#13 |
Old member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S.
Posts: 19,936
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Best radiator you can buy for the money and it's all aluminum no plastic. I have one in my 71 C-10, 67 Ramp truck, 64 SS Impala and had one in the 56 Bel Air. Not one problem out of them and they run cooler than the stock ones.
![]() https://picclick.com/68mm-Aluminum-R...850583294.html
__________________
1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 ![]() Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs. |
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#14 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Tucson, AZ USA
Posts: 7,263
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Re: Need larger radiator for 71 C10 with L6
Quote:
I put a wider V8-type radiator in front of the 292 L6 in my '68 C/10, when I found the L6 width was NLA. Mine's still a copper/brass type. Do you have to use the Orange antifreeze in an aluminum radiator?
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Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not. |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Central Coast Ca.
Posts: 417
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Re: Need larger radiator for 71 C10 with L6
In my continuing cooling fine tuning I just swapped out the 195 degree F thermostat for a 180 degree. The cooling system is working GREAT with the 180 degree thermostat, 7 lb radiator cap, and reservoir.
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 189
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Re: Need larger radiator for 71 C10 with L6
Might try a body shop that restores vintage vehicles...
By chance my friend (body man at a resto shop) got me a new rad for free. he had 3 of them from resto jobs done in the past 6 mos. to year... Mine was a 1970 HD brass $250 retail, $100 used easy. Free... Shipping is no fun, find local... Bob |
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#17 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Tucson, AZ USA
Posts: 7,263
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Re: Need larger radiator for 71 C10 with L6
I just installed a reservoir of the '78 Nova type in my '68 Stepside. Looks great. However, the overflow outlet on the radiator neck points hard right, and with a new battery tray bracket, there's not enough room to hook up a a hose to the reservoir, the battery's in the way.
[Sorry now ''After'' picture yet.]
__________________
Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not. |
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#18 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Delaware and Long Island, New York
Posts: 3,455
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Re: Need larger radiator for 71 C10 with L6
Quote:
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#19 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Central Coast Ca.
Posts: 417
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Quote:
Here's one vendor (multiple to choose from for the same part): Note: This is not an EXACT fit as I had to gently bend the tabs at the bottom to conform to the inner fender well. It's also a fairly tight fit/clearance to the battery (see pic above). https://www.ebay.com/itm/1978-1988-M...AAAOSw2S1fXpMw You will need a cap also: https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Genuine...sAAOSw3Q9db9vY I finally found the vendor for my replacement radiator. This link is for a 3-row for a 1971 with a 6 cylinder engine: https://www.nationalpartsdepot.com/r...s-12786-1.html Last edited by Carl Spangler; 09-18-2020 at 02:34 PM. |
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 269
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Re: Need larger radiator for 71 C10 with L6
Is there any benefit to having the original radiator fixed? I called a local radiator shop in town and they said they would do a full clean and then pressure test to fix any leaks. They said it will be like new when they are done with it.
I think it would look better than a shiny aluminum radiator in a 50 year old truck. I guess my logic is, if it worked for this many years shouldn't it be okay for the same stock motor in the truck? |
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#21 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Waterford California
Posts: 2,525
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Re: Need larger radiator for 71 C10 with L6
Quote:
That's why all my classics are running Champion Aluminum Radiators, zero problems including one that's been in for 20 years now. Otis my avatar has a Champion Radiator w/electric fans guaranteed to cool up to 1000 HP, I have no where near 1000 HP, but I got lots of cooling. 100+ degree days with A/C on in town/slow traffic no problems whatsoever. ![]() |
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#22 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Central Coast Ca.
Posts: 417
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Re: Need larger radiator for 71 C10 with L6
Quote:
__________________
1971 SWB step side: Original NM Forestry and then NM Fire truck Last edited by Carl Spangler; 01-28-2021 at 12:23 PM. |
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Delaware and Long Island, New York
Posts: 3,455
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Re: Need larger radiator for 71 C10 with L6
[QUOTE=Carl Spangler;8810044]Here's one vendor (multiple to choose from for the same part):
Note: This is not an EXACT fit as I had to gently bend the tabs at the bottom to conform to the inner fender well. It's also a fairly tight fit/clearance to the battery (see pic above). https://www.ebay.com/itm/1978-1988-M...AAAOSw2S1fXpMw You will need a cap also: https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Genuine...sAAOSw3Q9db9vY I finally found the vendor for my replacement radiator. This link is for a 3-row for a 1971 with a 6 cylinder engine: https://www.nationalpartsdepot.com/r...s-12786-1.html[/ Thank you Carl for the links, I was not receiving any emails for this thread for some reason?,... Until today? Strange |
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