1 row vs 2 row radiator? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

cstm68 · 07-07-2009, 10:18 PM

whats the difference between 1 row radiators and 2 row? do the 2 rows run cooler

Camper Power · 07-07-2009, 10:20 PM

2 rows (core) can cool your coolant better than a 1 core

Willys47 · 07-07-2009, 11:33 PM

a 2 row has more surface area to transfers the heat to the air going past it.

ERASER5 · 07-07-2009, 11:44 PM

I hope you are talking about ALUMINUM radiators. Copper rad for our trucks are 2, 3(rare), or 4 row. A 4 row aluminum rad will, and does, cool a NASCAR engine.

**mr48chev** · 07-08-2009, 01:44 AM

This is one place where "more" is definitely the better option.

Even if you don't plan to tow with the truck, getting caught in a long line going in or out of a truck show or spending a lot of time in slow moving traffic is just cause for the most capacity you can manage.

Jacfourteen · 07-08-2009, 01:47 AM

I'd run the larger one, I'm also assuming aluminum here. If going with copper/brass the smallest I'd run is the 3 core

UltraBlue71 · 07-08-2009, 09:52 AM

I just put a 4 four row in my truck, it runs 25-35% cooler than it did with the old 3 row, I had to mod my mounts a little and I currently have zip ties holding the shroud on!

BarryB · 07-08-2009, 09:58 AM

If your running aluminum, a single core would do fine, but I would also go with the bigger one.
Why do I say one core would be fine, because aluminum don't retain the heat like copper/brass rads do.
A friend of mine just replaced his rad with one from Autozone, new aluminum, plastic tanked rad. one big core/row. runs just fine, keeps it cooler actually.

capev86 · 07-08-2009, 08:42 PM

i plan to swap out the dinky radiator on my 3/4 ton 72 burb. it has a manual trans (3OT)and no a/c but i plan to tow with it and i will be swapping in a 406sbc in place of the 307 so the extra cooling will be helpful. i'm thinking about using the trans cooler portion as an engine oil cooler....it should work just like an aux. cooler!

cstm68 · 07-08-2009, 09:35 PM

thanks for al the replys!

yes i am taliking about aluminium radiators, i think i will go with the 2 core and a 10 blade 16inch electric fan pushing and keep the mechanical fan
i just want to keep the truck running a little bit cooler now its at 205 on the freeway i want it to be around 190

07-07-2009, 10:18 PM	#1
cstm68 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: shoreline, wa Posts: 1,565	1 row vs 2 row radiator? whats the difference between 1 row radiators and 2 row? do the 2 rows run cooler __________________ 68 swb fleet bagged on 20's 327 with 4 speed http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=223308 2014 Chevy 2500hd duramax CCLB

07-07-2009, 10:20 PM	#2
Camper Power Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Grande Prairie Alberta Posts: 261	Re: 1 row vs 2 row radiator? 2 rows (core) can cool your coolant better than a 1 core __________________ eh 1970 Chevy C20 daily driver 1975 GMC Jimmy 4x4 project 1966 GMC C10 Dad's project

07-07-2009, 11:33 PM	#3
Willys47 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Nanaimo B.C. Posts: 604	Re: 1 row vs 2 row radiator? a 2 row has more surface area to transfers the heat to the air going past it. __________________ I was hooked on these trucks since 1982 when I drove my budys fathers 1968 Custum GMC 396 automatic dana 60 rear with a power lock diff what a ride more fun then we will we can ever tell!! Last edited by Willys47; 07-07-2009 at 11:49 PM.

07-07-2009, 11:44 PM	#4
ERASER5 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 4,859	Re: 1 row vs 2 row radiator? I hope you are talking about ALUMINUM radiators. Copper rad for our trucks are 2, 3(rare), or 4 row. A 4 row aluminum rad will, and does, cool a NASCAR engine. __________________ '70 GMC C1500 LWB Power disc brakes. WooHoo! Posi 6 Lug Dana 60

07-08-2009, 01:44 AM	#5
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,639	Re: 1 row vs 2 row radiator? This is one place where "more" is definitely the better option. Even if you don't plan to tow with the truck, getting caught in a long line going in or out of a truck show or spending a lot of time in slow moving traffic is just cause for the most capacity you can manage.

07-08-2009, 01:47 AM	#6
Jacfourteen Big Red - Now its a SWB! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oroville, Ca Posts: 1,624	Re: 1 row vs 2 row radiator? I'd run the larger one, I'm also assuming aluminum here. If going with copper/brass the smallest I'd run is the 3 core __________________ 68 3/4 ton (Project)-350 Small Block, .030 over, 10:1 comp, 3998993 heads, C3BX edelbrock intake, comp cams XE268, Holley 670 SA, long tube headers, dual flow 40's, E-fan, Alum rad, currently under the knife getting shortened and bagged build thread 41 3/4 ton (wife's)-flatbed, fully restored to original 01 Tahoe LT 4WD (my daily driver)-Magnaflow Muffler, Rollin on 22's 02 Ford Mustang Convertable (Wife's Car)-Flowmaster 50, Clear corners, Intake, sittin on 18's

07-08-2009, 09:52 AM	#7
UltraBlue71 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: OKC OK Posts: 489	Re: 1 row vs 2 row radiator? I just put a 4 four row in my truck, it runs 25-35% cooler than it did with the old 3 row, I had to mod my mounts a little and I currently have zip ties holding the shroud on! __________________ "You can put lipstick on a pig, sure it's pretty pig, but it's still just a PIG... 71 LWB

07-08-2009, 09:58 AM	#8
BarryB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Blountville, Tn. Posts: 3,904	Re: 1 row vs 2 row radiator? If your running aluminum, a single core would do fine, but I would also go with the bigger one. Why do I say one core would be fine, because aluminum don't retain the heat like copper/brass rads do. A friend of mine just replaced his rad with one from Autozone, new aluminum, plastic tanked rad. one big core/row. runs just fine, keeps it cooler actually. __________________ We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp; some are pretty;and some are dull. Some have weird names; and all are different colours;but they all have to live in the same box. You may be only one person in the world, But you may also be the world to one person. * Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once. Two rules in life. 1. Never sweat the small stuff! 2. Everything is small stuff!

07-08-2009, 08:42 PM	#9
capev86 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Eliot, Maine Posts: 1,314	Re: 1 row vs 2 row radiator? i plan to swap out the dinky radiator on my 3/4 ton 72 burb. it has a manual trans (3OT)and no a/c but i plan to tow with it and i will be swapping in a 406sbc in place of the 307 so the extra cooling will be helpful. i'm thinking about using the trans cooler portion as an engine oil cooler....it should work just like an aux. cooler!

07-08-2009, 09:35 PM	#10
cstm68 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: shoreline, wa Posts: 1,565	Re: 1 row vs 2 row radiator? thanks for al the replys! yes i am taliking about aluminium radiators, i think i will go with the 2 core and a 10 blade 16inch electric fan pushing and keep the mechanical fan i just want to keep the truck running a little bit cooler now its at 205 on the freeway i want it to be around 190 __________________ 68 swb fleet bagged on 20's 327 with 4 speed http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=223308 2014 Chevy 2500hd duramax CCLB

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