Trying to pick right radiator

[crawdad]

The PO of my truck (my nephew) at some time replaced the radiator, but he put the wrong one in. It is so short, it want reach the upper retainers and just flops back and forth. The only thing holding it in that I can tell, is the radiator hoses themselves and the fan shroud. The radiator is only about 16 inches tall (bottom to top), and about one inch thick, and it looks like I should have one in the neighborhood of 19 inches high. I've got a couple of books that list a 19" radiator, but there are so many variables, i.e., there are some 18 3/4" tall, 19" tall, 1 1/2" thick, 2" thick, 2 core, 3 core, 4 core, I'm just baffled I was wondering if there was anyone who has a truck like mine, who could verify height, width, thickness, etc. of their radiator. I'm trying to make sure I get the right one the first time without having to return it or anything. Thanks in advance for any help. BTW, my truck is a '86 SWB, 350 CID, with Air, and Auto transmission.

[Slonaker]

I bought one for mine from Autozone. I just asked for the proper one for an '86 Chevy 1/2 ton pickup. It was an exact duplicate of mine. They had a 2 row for a 305 or a 3 row for a 350. The 3 row was actually cheaper.

IU don't like to shop at Autozone, but everyone had the same parts, same price, same warranty. I bought from AutoZone because they are more common in this area than any other auto parts store.

I'll try to take some measurements today.

Slonaker

EDIT: It appears to be about 20.5 inches high by about 34 inches wide. It is hard to mearue an installed radiator accurately.

EDIT2: I just found my receipt. It says Auto Zone part# 433716. I just checked the AZ site, and that is the current part # for the 3 row.

[crawdad]

Thanks for the info Slonaker. We've got an AutoZone here in town. I'll check with them tomorrow. BTW, how much did you have to pay for yours?

[Slonaker]

I paid $145 with a lifetime warranty. According to their website, it is $150 now.

Slonaker

[boxrodz]

Slonaker's measurements are right on. Since I have a old 3-row lying around, I measured it as well. The radiator dimensions:
20 1/2" H (measured down the middle)
34" W (measured across the top)
32 3/4" W (measured across the middle)
33" W (measured across the bottom)
1 5/8" D (measured across the middle)
2 1/2" D (measured across the end)

I believe they size the radiator by core dimensions: 19" H x 28 1/4" W x 1 5/8" D.

But, on the 350s w/AC on the 86s, I believe that they came with either a 3-row (1 7/8" D) or a 4-row (2 1/2" D). They also came in two different heights: (19" and 17"). The width is the same at 28 1/4". You best bet is to check the Autozone site with your vehicle specs and see what comes up. May help before talking to the parts clerk.

One thing you may be missing are the two lower rubber support pads that the and the two uppers. I don't believe autoparts store carry them.

[crawdad]

Ok, I just checked the Auto Zone web site, and it looks like the 433716 is the right one. It's a three row so it should be fine. I'll be checking with them as soon as they open this morning. Thanks for the help fellas. BTW their price is over $50.00 cheaper than the ones I was looking at in some of the catalogs, and you can't beat the warranty.

[Slonaker]

Originally Posted by boxrodz

One thing you may be missing are the two lower rubber support pads that the and the two uppers. I don't believe autoparts store carry them.

None of the local auto parts stores had any idea what I was talking about when I asked for them. I ended up getting them from the dealer. I don't remember how much they were, but it was not that much.

Be careful if you get them from the dealer. They told me the catalog said all four pieces were the same part number. They were not. The top insulators were different from the bottoms. I took the ones back that did not match, and they matched them up visually with one of my old ones.

Slonaker

[Prerunner1982]

while you are at it you could always upgrade to a 4 core, the process isnt any harder. and you can get the parts from the same place you are going for about the same price..
radiator from AZ, and isolators and top mount from dealer...

[Slonaker]

Originally Posted by Prerunner1982

while you are at it you could always upgrade to a 4 core, the process isnt any harder. and you can get the parts from the same place you are going for about the same price..
radiator from AZ, and isolators and top mount from dealer...

It is definitely worth looking into. I was under the impression that the 4 row radiator was significantly more expensive, and required a different shroud and top mount, as you call it. I have not ever priced it out myself, though.

The advantage to the 3 row is that it has the same physical dimensions as the 2 row, and uses all the same hardware and shroud. If you already have the stuff for the 2 or 3 row (AFAIK that is what most smallblocks came with), you don't need to buy anything but the radiator. If you are starting from scratch, it might be worth any extra expense.

Slonaker

[Prerunner1982]

it does require a new shroud, so far i have run without one, temp in the 90s everyday without any problem, i am still running mech fan, it does run slightly above normal but never close to over heating. I will either get electrical fans and high flow water pump or get a shroud.. but for the moment, i dont have a problem.

[crawdad]

The four core is almost $100.00 more than the 3 core. It also requires a different top retainer clamp. Don't know about the shroud, but I don't think so. I'm going with the 3 core for now. I may regret it later, but $100.00 is $100.00. BTW, they didn't have it in stock, but will have it here within a couple of days. Thanks again for all the help.

[Slonaker]

Originally Posted by Prerunner1982

it does require a new shroud, so far i have run without one, temp in the 90s everyday without any problem, i am still running mech fan, it does run slightly above normal but never close to over heating. I will either get electrical fans and high flow water pump or get a shroud.. but for the moment, i dont have a problem.

I suspect you lose as much not running a shroud as you gain by having a 4 row.

Slonaker

[Prerunner1982]

Originally Posted by crawdad

The four core is almost $100.00 more than the 3 core. It also requires a different top retainer clamp. Don't know about the shroud, but I don't think so. I'm going with the 3 core for now. I may regret it later, but $100.00 is $100.00. BTW, they didn't have it in stock, but will have it here within a couple of days. Thanks again for all the help.

When i was looking for mine, i walked in and asked for a 4core, they priced me the most expensive one they had which wasnt in stock... i then asked for a radiator for the same model year, 1 ton with a 454.. just called Auto Zone and its priced at $159 with lifetime warranty.

Originally Posted by Slonaker

I suspect you lose as much not running a shroud as you gain by having a 4 row.

Slonaker

Perhaps, but it is in preperation for future improvements..

[Slonaker]

Originally Posted by Prerunner1982

Perhaps, but it is in preperation for future improvements..

As my wife always says, better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

If I were doing it again, especially if I was missing mounting hardware, I would try to go with the four row too.

Slonaker

[N2TRUX]

The 4 row will require quit a bit of work. Besides the rubber mounts on top and bottom, you will need the metal cover that goes on top too. The 3 row shroud will bolt in, but it will hit on the A/C compressor....

[72C203503ONTHETREE]

The three core in my 73 C10 looks like there'd be room for a fourth core with no problems but fortunately my radiator still looks decent and wont have to worry about replacing it for a while.