1971 Radiator Help! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

MBurns326 · 11-21-2008, 06:00 PM

I have a 1971 Chevrolet C20 2WD V8 350 no a/c. The radiator has rusted out and I need a new one. I ordered one through RockAuto and the one they sent me is too big. Can somebody give me the dimesions of a original radiator for my truck. I tried to measure mine but it is so rusted I couldn't get an accurate measurement.

Thanks!

ChevLoRay · 11-21-2008, 07:05 PM

Welcome to the board!

What dimensions are you referring to? Is it the physical dimension of the radiator and tanks? The radiator should rest in a pair of rubber u-shaped pieces. 4-row core radiators are thicker than the others. Is this the problem? Is it that the radiator won't fit down into the mounts?

Got a picture, that will show the problem?

It seems hard to believe that plugging in the right data would not get you the right part, but parts are pulled by people and sometimes they make mistakes.....

**john** · 11-21-2008, 07:49 PM

[QUOTE=ChevLoRay;2985430]Welcome to the board!

What dimensions are you referring to? Is it the physical dimension of the radiator and tanks? The radiator should rest in a pair of rubber u-shaped pieces. 4-row core radiators are thicker than the others. Is this the problem? Is it that the radiator won't fit down into the mounts?

Got a picture, that will show the problem?

Also there extra holes in your support for narrow or wide rads. You can drill the rivet in the lower bracket and move it and use a machine screw to hold it in place.

to the board.

MBurns326 · 11-21-2008, 08:01 PM

The radiator they sent me does not fit in the rubber mounts in the bottom or top. The one they sent was supposed to be for my truck but it's too wide. I just need the width that the factory one should be. Mine is pretty jacked up and hard to measure

JimKshortstep4x4 · 11-21-2008, 09:12 PM

The dimension from center of seam to center of seam is 28 3/4" which should match up to the centers of the rubber mounts on your truck. (The seams are the parts of the radiator that set into the rubber mounts).

Jim

**thelonerife** · 11-21-2008, 09:52 PM

looks like you went from a 2 core to maybe a 3 or 4 core. I would keep it and do the mount change.

MBurns326 · 11-21-2008, 10:10 PM

Well I appreciate everyone's help....the one they are sending me now is 28 3/8 x 17 x 2 5/8 which I really hope is right

ERASER5 · 11-22-2008, 01:38 AM

You really need to know the row count. A four row fits differently than a two row. A 4 row dissipates more heat.

When I went from a 2row to a 4 row, I removed the rubber from the upper and lower mounts and cut into the sides. Then I spread the mounts to fit and siliconed the rubber back in. Down and dity CAT mod. (Cheap A$$ Trick)

Check the lower hose fitting. It should be curved up. If it is not, you will have fun shoving the hose on and it will kink a little at first. After it gets good and hot with pressure, it will "form fit" itself. OR you can take your both rads to a shop and have the old fitting installed on your new rad. That's what I did.

11-21-2008, 06:00 PM	#1
MBurns326 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Macon, GA Posts: 20	1971 Radiator Help! I have a 1971 Chevrolet C20 2WD V8 350 no a/c. The radiator has rusted out and I need a new one. I ordered one through RockAuto and the one they sent me is too big. Can somebody give me the dimesions of a original radiator for my truck. I tried to measure mine but it is so rusted I couldn't get an accurate measurement. Thanks!

11-21-2008, 07:05 PM	#2
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: 1971 Radiator Help! Welcome to the board! What dimensions are you referring to? Is it the physical dimension of the radiator and tanks? The radiator should rest in a pair of rubber u-shaped pieces. 4-row core radiators are thicker than the others. Is this the problem? Is it that the radiator won't fit down into the mounts? Got a picture, that will show the problem? It seems hard to believe that plugging in the right data would not get you the right part, but parts are pulled by people and sometimes they make mistakes..... __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

11-21-2008, 07:49 PM	#3
john member #16 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Yuba City Ca. Posts: 3,618	Re: 1971 Radiator Help! [QUOTE=ChevLoRay;2985430]Welcome to the board! What dimensions are you referring to? Is it the physical dimension of the radiator and tanks? The radiator should rest in a pair of rubber u-shaped pieces. 4-row core radiators are thicker than the others. Is this the problem? Is it that the radiator won't fit down into the mounts? Got a picture, that will show the problem? Also there extra holes in your support for narrow or wide rads. You can drill the rivet in the lower bracket and move it and use a machine screw to hold it in place. to the board. __________________ john http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showgroups.php board vendors http://www.flickr.com/photos/1745471...7602865984234/ Last edited by john; 11-21-2008 at 07:51 PM.

11-21-2008, 08:01 PM	#4
MBurns326 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Macon, GA Posts: 20	Re: 1971 Radiator Help! The radiator they sent me does not fit in the rubber mounts in the bottom or top. The one they sent was supposed to be for my truck but it's too wide. I just need the width that the factory one should be. Mine is pretty jacked up and hard to measure Attached Images

11-21-2008, 09:12 PM	#5
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Re: 1971 Radiator Help! The dimension from center of seam to center of seam is 28 3/4" which should match up to the centers of the rubber mounts on your truck. (The seams are the parts of the radiator that set into the rubber mounts). Jim __________________ 1971 Shortbox step side 4x4, 350 sbc, 3:07 rear end 1965 Impala SS 400 sbc, Muncie rock crusher 1966 Impala SS 396 bbc, TH 400 1969 El Camino, 350 sbc, TH 350 1971 Snowplow built on a Blazer frame 1972 GMC Short bed, stepside, TH 400, 427 BBC

11-21-2008, 09:52 PM	#6
thelonerife Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Clarksville TN 37043 Posts: 8,702	Re: 1971 Radiator Help! looks like you went from a 2 core to maybe a 3 or 4 core. I would keep it and do the mount change. __________________ Chuck 68swb Fleetside build ''Choncho'' http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=374892 My trailer redo http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...69#post5893869 Chuy my 59 bug http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=653798 Putnam 87 GMC Shop truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=707687

11-21-2008, 10:10 PM	#7
MBurns326 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Macon, GA Posts: 20	Re: 1971 Radiator Help! Well I appreciate everyone's help....the one they are sending me now is 28 3/8 x 17 x 2 5/8 which I really hope is right

11-22-2008, 01:38 AM	#8
ERASER5 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 4,859	Re: 1971 Radiator Help! You really need to know the row count. A four row fits differently than a two row. A 4 row dissipates more heat. When I went from a 2row to a 4 row, I removed the rubber from the upper and lower mounts and cut into the sides. Then I spread the mounts to fit and siliconed the rubber back in. Down and dity CAT mod. (Cheap A$$ Trick) Check the lower hose fitting. It should be curved up. If it is not, you will have fun shoving the hose on and it will kink a little at first. After it gets good and hot with pressure, it will "form fit" itself. OR you can take your both rads to a shop and have the old fitting installed on your new rad. That's what I did. __________________ '70 GMC C1500 LWB Power disc brakes. WooHoo! Posi 6 Lug Dana 60



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.