OG style radiators

[too much stuff]

Just wondering what people are using for original looking radiators in their trucks, blazers and burbs? I will be needing a couple here soon and want to keep the original look if possible. I know re-coring is expensive. Alot of aluminum ones out there, but worried about the fit on those. Thoughts?

[RodnRudy]

https://www.thermalsolutionsmfg.com/
Find a dealer for a radiator from this source. I used one in my 68 and it looked as close to original as could be. Excellent quality also

[dagnabbitt]

It's been my experience that re-coring is cheaper than a new radiator... and your OEM one is guaranteed to fit. I've always thought it was a no-brainer.

[geunther]

Originally Posted by dagnabbitt

It's been my experience that re-coring is cheaper than a new radiator... and your OEM one is guaranteed to fit. I've always thought it was a no-brainer.

X2. When you consider how long the original lasted, fit and function. I went with a re-core without hesitation.

[mr.mud1]

x3,i build my own rads,i know they'll fit and i'll be happy with the work.i order new cores and remove the original tanks,clean them up and solder them on a new core,Bob's your uncle.cheaper and a better job than a new aftermarket or aluminum rad,in my view anyway.

[72c20customcamper]

Problem is no one does radiators here locally. The one I found about 60 miles from me wanted more to boil out and reseal a gas tank than it was for a new one. Asked about recoreing my AMX radiator over 500 bucks no thanks ended up buying a cold case direct fit . Unless your going for show correctness it's not worth it at least around here anyways.

[mr.mud1]

i hear ya,not many rad shops left here either,where one time,rads shops were plentiful,i guess that's why i do my own??i'll do a new recore in my truck when i pull the motor and trans out this winter to repair some oil leaks.here's the latest rad i re-cored for my 39 chrysler.i re-used the original tanks and put it all back in the 39 rad support with a ford truck power steering cooler i made into the trans cooler.i guess everybodies situation is different and we'll do whatever it is we have to do to get the job done?

[jimijam00]

Originally Posted by too much stuff

Alot of aluminum ones out there, but worried about the fit on those. Thoughts?

Not sure why you are worried. Many are a direct drop in and fit great. The ECP I put in mine fit perfectly.

[HO455]

I had an original 4 row factory radiator built for my Burban after being dissatisfied with how the Coldcase radiator I purchased fit.
Having an original built was more expensive than the Coldcase unit was but, it dropped in perfectly and is repairable down the road. Aluminum radiators aren't really repairable unless you count having epoxy smeared over the leak as a repair. My original was the 2 row V8 radiator so I had to purchase the end caps and was able to get the large factory plate style transmission cooler as part of the radiator they built for me.

The link to my Coldcase experience scroll to post 333.

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...698377&page=14

[dagnabbitt]

I empathize with anyone who can't find a rad shop, they used to be commonplace and now they are rare: there is only one in my city of 1.1M people, and I actually had to get a referral... they are too busy with Caterpillar and tractor-trailer rads to take on classics, usually. I had to name drop to get them to do mine. I am glad that I did, they turned my OEM two row into a three row with restrictors, and at around $300 USD the price was still less than the cheapest "Spectre" aftermarket replacements I found online.

Incidentally, it is for that reason that I recommend talking to heavy equipment operators and service providers, you might find a shop that does rads but doesn't advertise. And if there is a place in another state that a boardmember recommends, even if you have to do some shipping back and forth I think it would be worth it.

Don't get me wrong: if your budget is unlimited and you don't care about originality, there are some aftermarket companies that are inarguably producing excellent products. I just can't bring myself to spend $1000 USD on a rad when that money could go towards horsepower... and if I did spend that kind of dough I would be really irritated if it didn't fit like a glove.

[Ironhorse]

Been thru the "What to do" radiator question with all three of my classic rides. Had the leak repaired for the original Nov-'56 build date for my 57 two door sedan. ($56.85) (This summer) Bright aluminum radiator in the same engine compartment with the original 2x4s 283 engine just was not a choice for me. Re-cored the original brass /copper 4 row BBC radiator for my '71 Chevelle SS. ($485.00) (3 years ago) Repaired the 4 row BBC radiator in my '71 4x4. ($42.00) (several years ago) Glad I went that route with all of them as all went back in with no issues just like they were made for the application, which they were. I did debate about the re-core on the Chevelle but glad I went that direction that I did. I build my rides pretty much as they are born, like the original look over the bright shiny aluminum.

Only have ONE radiator shop that I know of within a 50 mile radius and they do stay busy. Very reasonable and very good. Not ragging on anyone who goes with an aluminum, we all have to make choices with our rides and do the best we can with the limitations we are dealt. Life's choices work that way.

[too much stuff]

I sure appreciate all of the input and comments. Just need to figure out which way to go here...

[BigBird05]

Mr.Mud1, On the new rad cores, where do you get your's?

[mr.mud1]

Originally Posted by BigBird05

Mr.Mud1, On the new rad cores, where do you get your's?

hi,i have bought the last few at rad shops.i got turned away from a few by folks telling me i couldn't build a rad.i most certainly can i told them and kept going til i found someone who would sell to me.it was an hour from where i lived but i don't care.now i've moved so i'm 4 hours away so i have to find a new source but i'll find one or drive 4 hours.i was planning to call my auto parts guy i deal with all the time tomorrow about a new core for my truck.the last couple of cores i've bought have been from Spectra Premium and i know my parts guy sells spectra stuff.i'll see if he can get me a core.the rad i did for my 39 Chrysler was a Spectra core and i was very happy with it.the rad shop man told me Spectra has a plant in Quebec that makes all the old style copper/brass rads.i'm not sure what happens in the States but i was just on the Spectra website and they seem to have it divided up into Canadian and US products but when searched for a rad for a 72 truck,it came right up,a picture of a complete rad that looks like ours but in the description,it said plastic tanks?i didn't see anywhere on the website about cores but i know they do them.take care.Greg

[jimijam00]

For those that do want the superior cooling of an aftermarket direct replacement alum rad, but not thrilled with the alum look, there are now excellent products available to paint the radiator black. Even the guys with the most expensive aftermarket radiators sell something called Black Ice, which works great.

[72-CH]

I did some searching and found speedwaymotors.com, When I purchase a new one (probably spring) I will be buying there part #9103369. It looks' to be a stock replacement.

[too much stuff]

Originally Posted by 72-CH

I did some searching and found speedwaymotors.com, When I purchase a new one (probably spring) I will be buying there part #9103369. It looks' to be a stock replacement.

Looks decent... and on sale too right now. I will let you know how it looks. They also have one from OER that looks good but that is pretty spendy.

[Already Gone]

Just pulled my original engine and rad out a few weeks ago and will either be getting my original rad recored, there is a local shop that does it but won't quote a price till you bring it in for an evaluation, and if that doesnt work out I will probably order this linked one from Summit.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-382006

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by jimijam00

For those that do want the superior cooling of an aftermarket direct replacement alum rad, but not thrilled with the alum look, there are now excellent products available to paint the radiator black. Even the guys with the most expensive aftermarket radiators sell something called Black Ice, which works great.

x2.

[fun in dirt]

Buy once, cry once!
Fits perfectly & comes in black too. And right now 12% off online orders & free shipping - promo code BFCM21
https://www.dewitts.com/products/196...39683867246674

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by fun in dirt

Buy once, cry once!
Fits perfectly & comes in black too. And right now 12% off online orders & free shipping - promo code BFCM21
https://www.dewitts.com/products/196...39683867246674

Have you purchased one? Are they painted? Plated? Anodized?

[jimijam00]

Originally Posted by fun in dirt

Buy once, cry once!

Buy once, get no better cooling than many other aftermarket radiators, and cry because you don't have any money for other parts for the next 9 months.

[67 twins]

Originally Posted by jimijam00

buy once, get no better cooling than many other aftermarket radiators, and cry because you don't have any money for other parts for the next 9 months.

x2^

[SCOTI]

So you guys bought aluminum 2-row x1" tube radiators that resembled an OE brass unit & they weren't any better/different vs your brass 3-row/4-row radiators?

[jimijam00]

Mine IS better because it cools my high hp big block better. It dropped right in without any modifications at all, so it's the same. The only difference, besides superior performance and not being brass, is that it did not come black.