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04-19-2005, 08:32 AM
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#1 |
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Active Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Stoughton, WI
Posts: 187
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'78 radiator question
My '78 "Big 10" was originally built with a 350, TH350, and A/C. It needs a new radiator and I'm trying to decide between having the original recored vs. buying a new one outright. If I choose the latter I'd like to buy one spec'd for a 4x4 with a 400, A/T, and A/C but I want to be sure that it'll fit without having to replace any other pieces (shroud, top plate, etc.).
Did all '78s in the C/K 5-10-20-30 series use the same size radiator as far as height and width go? I seem to recall someone telling me years ago that the 400-powered 4x4s got a wider one but I never verified it. Thanks! Brad |
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04-19-2005, 09:14 AM
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#2 |
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Professional Beer Tester
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 453
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Brad, there were several different sizes of radiators they used in those trucks depending on the engine size and whether the truck had A/C, heavy duty cooling, manual or automatic, etc. The 454 usually got the biggest radiator with a 4-row core, but they also had some smaller ones with a 4-row core too. Most radiator shops can replace your core with a heavier one, but you may be able to buy one that way too. I've always preferred having the old one recored when possible, because usually they use better cores and put much more solder than the after-market radiators, but that's just me. Best of luck whatever you decide.
60-66 Nut
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04-19-2005, 09:38 AM
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#3 |
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Happy to be here
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 39,021
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60-66 Nut is on track with this. I'm not sure about the 400 set up, but I do know that the radiator used for 454 is wider (4 row) and requires some changes to work. It will require new upper and lower rubber cushions, a new core support cover and a new shroud.....
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04-19-2005, 11:02 AM
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#4 |
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Active Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Stoughton, WI
Posts: 187
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Thanks for the help. Since '78s used more than 1 size I guess my best bet is to have the original recored; I can always tell the shop to stuff in as many rows as possible before the depth exceeds that of the tanks!
 Brad |
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04-19-2005, 11:53 AM
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#5 |
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Insert Witty Text Here
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 3,415
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I don't know about yours, but mine was available with 2, 3, or 4 row radiators. Mine had a 2 row, and I wanted more. A 3 row has the same external dimensions as a 2 row (same size tanks with a smaller core), and actually costs LESS than a 2 row when bought new. I chose to go this route because it bolted in with no new parts. A 4 row would have been nice, but it would have required the extra expense of all of the parts N2TRUX mentioned.
I guess what I am trying to say is that you probably have a 2 or 3 row, and (assuming that is correct) if you want a 4 row radiator, you would need to get a new radiator and shroud and stuff. Slonaker |
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04-19-2005, 01:59 PM
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#6 |
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Registered User
 Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Franklin, NE
Posts: 387
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Brad;
I have 2 78 trucks. One is a 2wd Big 10, 350/350 factory air and the other is a K-10, factory 400/350, factory air. I have never checked the # of cores in the radiator, but both have the same style shrouds and cushions. Both have the 6" wide sheet metal spacer over the radiator and the 2 piece fan shroud. Hope this helps Doug If your support looks like this, you should be ok http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...spagename=WDVW Last edited by dswancutt; 04-19-2005 at 02:05 PM. |
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