Which Replacement Radiator? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

zac · 11-06-2025, 07:28 PM

‘79 K20, 350 with Vortec heads. These Spectre aluminum radiators with plastic tanks are cheap but are not holding up. I see Cold Case,Champion. What are you running? I would like to avoid plastic tanks. How’s the fit with the original fan shroud, etc? Thanks

kennyw · 11-13-2025, 01:08 AM

Summit racing and Jegs are both starting to offer direct replacement copper/brass radiators now.

This is the biggest 4-core radiator offered stock that uses the flat bracket on top of the core support.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s.../c10/year/1977

kennyw · 11-13-2025, 01:12 AM

Here is the 3 row radiator that was most common on 350 V8 trucks.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s.../c10/year/1977

PowerdbyChevy79 · 11-20-2025, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennyw

Summit racing and Jegs are both starting to offer direct replacement copper/brass radiators now.

This is the biggest 4-core radiator offered stock that uses the flat bracket on top of the core support.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s.../c10/year/1977

This is great news.. I'm tired of plastic tanks

zac · 11-25-2025, 10:44 AM

Thanks….glad someone is offering brass/copper, but honestly my number one concern is longevity. The only repair shop I had available is long gone. I was leaning towards the cold case, but it doesn’t look like the trans lines will fit correctly. Hate to do any adapting after I finally did the right thing and ordered the correct lines. At least now I know there are other options. It’s late 2025 and we have to work with what’s out there, seems to get harder all the time, especially if you care at all about originality

11-06-2025, 07:28 PM	#1
zac Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: louisville, ky Posts: 505	Which Replacement Radiator? ‘79 K20, 350 with Vortec heads. These Spectre aluminum radiators with plastic tanks are cheap but are not holding up. I see Cold Case,Champion. What are you running? I would like to avoid plastic tanks. How’s the fit with the original fan shroud, etc? Thanks

11-13-2025, 01:08 AM	#2
kennyw N9PHW Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: PNW USA Posts: 162	Re: Which Replacement Radiator? Summit racing and Jegs are both starting to offer direct replacement copper/brass radiators now. This is the biggest 4-core radiator offered stock that uses the flat bracket on top of the core support. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s.../c10/year/1977 __________________ "I got it one piece at a time and it didn't cost me a dime..."

11-13-2025, 01:12 AM	#3
kennyw N9PHW Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: PNW USA Posts: 162	Re: Which Replacement Radiator? Here is the 3 row radiator that was most common on 350 V8 trucks. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s.../c10/year/1977 __________________ "I got it one piece at a time and it didn't cost me a dime..."

11-25-2025, 10:44 AM	#5
zac Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: louisville, ky Posts: 505	Re: Which Replacement Radiator? Thanks….glad someone is offering brass/copper, but honestly my number one concern is longevity. The only repair shop I had available is long gone. I was leaning towards the cold case, but it doesn’t look like the trans lines will fit correctly. Hate to do any adapting after I finally did the right thing and ordered the correct lines. At least now I know there are other options. It’s late 2025 and we have to work with what’s out there, seems to get harder all the time, especially if you care at all about originality



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