Whats the best replacement radiator???

[Ultimate CC]

I have a 1983 chevy k10 with a 350 in it and I am doing a full restoration of it and will be replacing the radiator and wasn't sure what type to go with. Should I just get an aftermarket one like one of these

http://www.radiator.com/chevrolet-ck...C+350ci%2C+L-8

http://www.discountradiators.com/search/

Or is there a certain type to look for. I want it to be reliable because the truck will be used on a couple long road trips as well as some decent offroading...

Dan

[old Rusty C10]

most of the radiators are made in china these days and imported. I would check with Modine they sell quality stuff and i dont think its imported..

[Ultimate CC]

where do i find modline?

[Rogue_Sentinel]

i like to know this to . in about 2 weeks i'll be put in a new radiator. are the summit radiator any good ?


http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PLI-433161/


Ultimate CC do you have ac ?

[dswancutt]

Have you considered having your current radiator rodded out? Most competent radiator shops can do this. They might even be able to recore with more cores for less than a new one.

[red caddy]

I replaced the rad in my '86 1 ton a couple of months ago. Acording to Jim, my local NAPA parts guru, Modine is no longer producing rad's in the US, at least not the brass and solder type. Only the aluminum/plastic tank type were availible, under the same part number as the old style.

He knows one of the guy's that works in the Tampa DC, with a little phone magic, a brass/solder 4 row Modine rad was found hiding in the warehouse, the numbers crossed to an '86 carb'ed 454 C30. With new rubber shock mounts, (4 row) a new top shroud piece from LMC and a little surgury on the upper and lower plastic shroud, it dropped right in.

I saved the side tanks / plates from the old 3 row so I can have it recored when I find a cheap core, (yea, my inner packrat won that argument) . You might have to use a similar method to find a brass one, as they seem to be dryin' up here in the southeast.

Might be cheaper / easier in the long run to swap in an all aluminum rad. (Keep a close eye on the PH level of the coolant and flush out as much of the rust and crud in the block as you can, for maximum life)

I just don't trust the alum/plastic crap, but I've had great sucess with the all alum/welded ones in my race stuff and street rods. besides, I can repair/modify the all aluminum ones almost as easily as the brass/solder type, just use a different process. (TIG) Paul

[Ultimate CC]

I do not have AC, are the aluminum/plastic ones that bad? I have one on my jeep and its lasted pretty long? I am just trying to do everything right the first time as I restore this truck.

[85Bowtie]

What about BeCool?

[Ultimate CC]

i just looked through their site again, doesn't seem like they have one thats direct fit for my model

[Gregs71]

I bought one from Kragen/O'reillys that didn't fit right in my 87 with 350 (it was to tall and I could not mount the upper bolts). The dealer could actually still get me one, but it was kind of expensive (this was in Sept 08). I ended up going with NAPA. It fit perfect.

[gchemist]

I've used a Modine 454 aluminum radiator for 7 years. No problems with it.

[Mike_D]

Why not have your original radiator rebuilt? Cost me about $200 to have a new core installed, the brass tanks cleaned (internally) and recoated. In my opinion nothing beats an original gm. If you don't want to screw around with your old one see if one out of 3/4 ton truck will fit. I believe vehicles that came with the towing package came with a slightly larger radiator