'72 Aluminum replacement radiator

[Sweet72]

The original small V8 and I6 brass 2 row probably won't be sufficient to cool my 383 and a friend says that the summit universal aluminum rad. will fit, but which one? From what I can see in the summit catalog I don't think the stock mounts will work with their radiator. What aluminum radiators are you guys running? I don't want to spend more than 200 bucks. Any suggestions?

[jhwkns]

The Aluminum radiators that are direct replacements are often quite expensive. The universal racing type is much less costly (generally below $200), but will require some fabrication to mount,and will need to have a custom shroud. Brand new four row replacement radiators can be had for around $150. They'll cool anything. The engine in your sig sounds like a great combo. Should be fun!

[Sweet72]

Thanks John, I kinda figured some cutting and fitting would be in order. I don't really want to modify the original mounts so I may go with a brass 4 row from ebay, the one that texas firefighter has recommended in the past. Radiator.com or Radiator Doctor or something like that right?

I have some pre-break-in jitters over the new engine and it seems like I've taken all the precautions and probably over done them ie: GM EOS in Rotella motor oil and used as an assembly lube, 3 different cam assembly lubes, primed the oil system 10 times, and had the priest douse it in holy water etc....

[Old Yeller 1970]

A 4-core radiator from Radiator Doctor won't fit without modifying the brackets. I ought to know because I just tried replacing my 3 core with one and found out the hard way it doesn't fit. I'm going to send it back and get an AL 19x31 from Jegs. Based on the measurements I've been able to obtain I think it will fit easier than trying to modify everything to fit that big 4-core.

The only other consideration for you is the 4-core from Radiator Doctor has the trany cooler in it and the Universal AL one from Jeg/Summit doesn't so you'd have to buy a trany cooler.

[jhwkns]

Originally Posted by Old Yeller 1970

A 4-core radiator from Radiator Doctor won't fit without modifying the brackets.

The brackets should work fine if you have the correct rubber shockmounts for the heavy duty radiator.

[Old Yeller 1970]

Buying the upper mounts may be possible but the bottom ones are permanently attached to the radiator support. They will have to be cut out and replaced to make it work.

[Sweet72]

My rad mount brackets are for the small 2 row. I've seen the lower mount brackets somewhere (GMC Paul's maybe) and they're riveted onto the core support so that shouldn't be a big deal.

[rage'nrat638]

a little modifaction on the stock bottom mounts and they will work.
i have a four row in my 69 with a 350
i used my die grinder to cut out the curved part closest to the engine so they lay flat and used the larger bottom rubbers...RUBBERS
and snagged me a set of top brackets. and boom, never looked back.
it don't even think about getting hot

[rage'nrat638]

o yes my bottom mounts were welded? not rivited !!!!!

[Billla]

Originally Posted by Old Yeller 1970

Buying the upper mounts may be possible but the bottom ones are permanently attached to the radiator support. They will have to be cut out and replaced to make it work.

I had to cut the bottom ones on my replacement core support off. They're also spaced too close together, although extra mounting slots are cut for the 4-core. They do a nasty little stick-weld "dip" and not a spot weld, so it leaves a nasty hole; I plan to clean this up when I do final assembly on my new frame. The lip on the bottom of the support also either needs to be bent (factory) or cut (what I did). I called the guys at Goodmark to let them know the problem and didn't get a lot of interest.

[Sweet72]

Thanks rage'n. What ya got in the Pro Street truck for cooling? I think I can find some bigger RUBBERS if the need should arise. Pun intended...

[rage'nrat638]

a 600.00 aluminum exact fit be cool radiator.
i don't ever want to spend that much again

[Sweet72]

Man that engine bay is friggen badazz! 600 bones would strain my wallet... and I'd be eating potted meat, day old bread and pork n' beans for awhile!

[jamis]

Mine where riveted. I also had to bend the lower lip on the rad. support to fit the new longer 4 core brackets.
I went with a Modine 4 core, cost about $170.

[71Dragtruck]

I know this is a old post, but just got my exact fit Be Cool rad today for my 71, and there is no way the factory brackets will work with it as is. I'll either have to cut them to fit ( not sure yet if that will even work ) of build something else. Besides that it is a work of art, welded sheet metal tanks, no epoxy, worth $500??? I wish it would just drop in though, then I'd just have to deal with fabbing up some fan mounts.

[Sweet72]

Thanks for the update '71 Dragtruck! Sounds like some custom fabrication is in order. Seems odd they'd call it a "exact fit" if it weren't true. Sounds like you're pleased with the quality though.

[71Dragtruck]

Yes the quality is awesome for sure, if you have ever seen fabricated valve covers, that's what it looks like. I juat talked to the tech line and they said that usually people just have to shave the rubbers in the mounts a bit to make them fit, mine look like I'll have to remove some metal too. I'll have a better idea of what I'm up against when I pull the old rad, but hoping I just have enlarge the old mounts. My truck originally came with a 3 row rad and I had it built into a 4 row with the same tanks. Anyone know if that would make a differance? Besides that I got part #60058 for a manual tranny, one with a cooler is more money. Likely the same as Ragen"s, mine cost me $610 Canadian. If anybody else has one in there truck please post how your mounting went.