Radiator replacement part?

[trevarthan]

I have a 1971 c10 long bed 4.1L L6 three on the tree. Ordered a replacement radiator from OReilly. Twice. Both were too deep. Despite the product page stating they included mounting brackets, neither did, and they were too deep to fit the existing brackets. I ordered this one first: http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...keyword=433369

Then the store guy ordered another one for me. Same price. Didn't fit either.

I have the option of buying this one: http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...yword=radiator

But it's $400 with shipping and who knows if it fits given the previous two items.

I've still got the old radiator. It's brass. There is a small radiator shop just down the road that comes recommended by the OReilly guy. I plan to ask Monday how much they would charge to repair. In the meantime... has anyone here recently bought an off the shelf radiator for this style of truck successfully? Where did you go and how much did it cost? Just trying to evaluate options.

Thanks!

[Lee H]

It's four row core, yours is probably a two row core. All the forum vendors sell four row core radiator mounts and cushions. I'd get the correct mounts and cushions and use the four core.

[trevarthan]

Forum vendor? Do you have a link?

[Lee H]

Classic Heartbeat, GMCPauls, Brothers.

[jabborabbo]

My original radiator developed pinholes in one of the tanks...local radiator shop guy thought he fixed it but new pinholes developed...bought a four row one to replace my two row...got the four row brackets and they were too long to fit at the bottom...wound up getting the local radiator guy to build a two row for me...no problems since.

[trevarthan]

Originally Posted by jabborabbo

My original radiator developed pinholes in one of the tanks...local radiator shop guy thought he fixed it but new pinholes developed...bought a four row one to replace my two row...got the four row brackets and they were too long to fit at the bottom...wound up getting the local radiator guy to build a two row for me...no problems since.

Is that common? Just building a radiator from scratch? Or is this guy a wizard? Also, was that as expensive as it sounds?

[jabborabbo]

Originally Posted by trevarthan

Is that common? Just building a radiator from scratch? Or is this guy a wizard? Also, was that as expensive as it sounds?

I don't know how common it is...he bought the two tanks from some supplier and brazed them on a two core middle he got somewhere else...it cost me about $300...I don't think he's a wizard, just experienced.

[volksworld]

thats what all radiator shops did in the days before throwaway aluminum radiators with plastic tanks...it was called a recore...new core with your original tanks...now new chinese ones are cheaper so i guess its becoming a lost art...but if you find a shop thats been around a long time it shouldnt be a problem...but if i had to get a new one anyway i'd definately go bigger...beats the heck out of wishing you had if the truck winds up running hot after you're done

[trevarthan]

Can't think of why it would run hot if I have the original recored. Unless they restricted coolant or air flow or something.

When I test fitted that larger radiators with the built-in transmission coolers, they seemed to fit, except the brackets. I was a little worried about fan clearance though. With a deeper radiator, do I need a lower profile fan?

[TobyArnot]

I tried to post yesterday but my computer keeps crapping-out. I used one of the O'Reilly $185 radiators with my new GM crate motor. I do have a serpentine system with a clutch fan. I did have to rework the upper brackets (used a vise and a BFH to reshape them some), but otherwise it fit well and I have not had any issues this summer (90+ deg.). I have no fan shroud as the 5 blade clutch fan is too big to use the original (that's a late fall project ). I believe the O'Reilly (copper & brass) is a good buy and I would personnaly recommend it.Your L6 may be longer, but the clutch fan on my V8 is about 2-1/2" from the radiator.

[rdgt67]

I put an orileys 4 row into my 70 l6 3 speed. No shroud, no clutch fan and I put an ac in it. Stays on 195 and I ordered new hold down brackets and cushions. Brackets could ve better but it works great. Never win a show but I drive it everyday.

[jabborabbo]

Originally Posted by trevarthan

Can't think of why it would run hot if I have the original recored. Unless they restricted coolant or air flow or something.

When I test fitted that larger radiators with the built-in transmission coolers, they seemed to fit, except the brackets. I was a little worried about fan clearance though. With a deeper radiator, do I need a lower profile fan?

I forgot to mention that fan clearance looked like it was gonna be a problem with my truck also...it would have been like 1/2 inch or less.

[trevarthan]

Originally Posted by rdgt67

I put an orileys 4 row into my 70 l6 3 speed. No shroud, no clutch fan and I put an ac in it. Stays on 195 and I ordered new hold down brackets and cushions. Brackets could ve better but it works great. Never win a show but I drive it everyday.

Where did you get the brackets?

[Jake1971]

I am using a radiator Part #438161 from Advance Auto http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/r...161&showTitle= in my build. 3 row core, brass/copper construction. Top and bottom brackets fit like factory 1 or 2 row core.

[trevarthan]

Originally Posted by Jake1971

I am using a radiator Part #438161 from Advance Auto http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/r...161&showTitle= in my build. 3 row core, brass/copper construction. Top and bottom brackets fit like factory 1 or 2 row core.

Sigh. Recent reviews indicate that is a plastic radiator with an aluminum core. Probably they changed suppliers. Someone mentions that it fits a c10 350, but that's an auto. I suspect the radiators on those were thicker stock than my l6 manual. I doubt it would fit.

[SparkyRnD]

We are a Gold Vendor supporter on this forum, and we make bolt-in radiators for your application:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=590670



We include a built-in trans cooler at no cost (when requested), make them for any engine conversion at no additional cost, and we offer a forum discount!

We are an American company, and we build these to order right here in the USA and they are all TIG welded with NO epoxy or glue.

[JointTech]

I have a RnD. Its a really nice rad. Ill break their balls here and say it should come with a rad cap and petcock for the amount of money it costs but I'm happy with my purchase regardless.
Shiny!!

heres my post on being a tard about installing it.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...&postcount=142

[Z10]

I'm running this $239. Engineered Cooling Products USA made aluminum 2 row, which is a direct replacement. Here in Texas on a 100degree day with A/C on, the engine temp is about 190. Check out my build thread for more pics etc.

http://www.speedcooling.com/1967-197...r/prod_38.html

[SparkyRnD]

Originally Posted by JointTech

I have a RnD. Its a really nice rad. Ill break their balls here and say it should come with a rad cap and petcock for the amount of money it costs but I'm happy with my purchase regardless.
Shiny!!

heres my post on being a tard about installing it.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...&postcount=142

Thanks for the pic, and appreciate the support.

[trevarthan]

I went down the road to the local radiator guy. For $300 (and a couple of cents), he recored with a new 2 core on my old tanks. He says he replaced the gaskets and he definitely replaced the drain valve too (feels very crisp now - was a mess before - couldn't turn by hand and had to use a wrench). I asked how long I could expect it to last, and he said for the lifetime of the truck, probably. I don't know about that, but I'm pretty happy. Fit like a glove in the existing mounts.

I've been driving it for a couple of days now and it seems to be working great.

[kamikazekyle05]

Originally Posted by Z10

I'm running this $239. Engineered Cooling Products USA made aluminum 2 row, which is a direct replacement. Here in Texas on a 100degree day with A/C on, the engine temp is about 190. Check out my build thread for more pics etc.

Who made the fan shroud?

[mikewoods]

I wish I would have seen this thread earlier, I could have saved time and hassle of returning the same two radiators to oreilley's. I'm working with a 68 gmc with a 327 and an automatic, but I couldn't make either of them fit. Guess I'll try the one posted from advance auto. I really don't want to spend $300+ on a Radiator.

[Z10]

Originally Posted by kamikazekyle05

Who made the fan shroud?

It's hand crafted by my co-builder. Started out as a flat piece of aluminum and 2 OEM fans from a 2003 Pontiac Grand Am. You'll find fabrication details in my build thread.

[truckdude239]

I bought a griffin all aluimn rad for 267 dollars csuse my stocker was leaking the rad shop said with the price of copper it was going to be like 450 dollars to recore it

[SparkyRnD]

keep an eye on the griffin for leaks, as I believe they use epoxy at the core to tank connection