What Radiator to Buy...? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

sailed2japan · 04-06-2009, 04:16 PM

I'm in need of a radiator for my 83 Chevy that is the narrow type and has the inlet and outlet on the drivers side. I want to avoid the $$$ of a one-off unit and prefer the oem look. Is there an oem application for this type radiator?

Prerunner1982 · 04-06-2009, 06:12 PM

Have you thought of upgrading to a 4core? It really isnt that expensive. Your local parts store should have one, just ask for a radiator for a 1ton 454. Dont just ask for a 4 core, they will try to sell you one of the fancy ones. You will need to get the brackets from a dealer, which really arent all that expsensive. It has been awhile since I did this and I want to say it was $150 or so. I didnt get the fan shroud, you would have to source that from another vehicle, but I didnt have problems with it getting hot unless I sat in traffic for awhile. This would also be a good start if you ever plan on electric fans, you wont need the stock shroud for them..

sailed2japan · 04-06-2009, 06:26 PM

I currently have a 4 core and it cools too much for my Cummins motor. I have to drive for 45 min before I get up to operating temp. I need to get the narrow style so I can pipe my intercooler (some day), and to get up to temp. I know guys running these motors with 4 cyl rads and no fan who never overheat.

Prerunner1982 · 04-06-2009, 06:27 PM

Gotcha... Makes sense now that I know the reason..

gchemist · 04-06-2009, 07:33 PM

Remove the fan off the motor. She how it operates. If cooling becomes a problem, then add electric fans.

GM did not make a stock gas radiator with the inlet and outlet on the same side. Maybe the new diesels have the option. Another option is to bolt a piece of aluminum to cover 1/4 of the radiator.

sailed2japan · 04-06-2009, 07:44 PM

Thanks G, but that won't solve my intercooler problem. Does anyone know of a good, but inexpensive place to get a custom rad?

flamingbig10 · 04-06-2009, 08:48 PM

a universal radiator from a speed shop, thats where I got mine its about the same size as factory, its afco brand aluminum 4 core, except it requires a transmission cooler for auto, since its made for dirt track cars its ran me less than $300 with the cooler

gchemist · 04-07-2009, 04:58 AM

As all good modications are done, make your own. Engineers never work on vehicles, so they don't think about future possibilities. Make something you need for performance. Example: my ram air solution for a 88-91 stock grill.

My ideas:
1. remove the mechanical fan
2. make a new bracket cage
3. bracket cage should bolt to the radiator support
4. The cage should house the following from front to rear: transmission oil cooler, intercooler, radiator and electric fans.
5. Take pictures and brag about making modifications.

Cherub · 04-07-2009, 07:58 AM

I dont know about OE but summit sells some rads with the in/outlets on the same side.

73chevyman · 04-07-2009, 04:31 PM

just a question have you tried and hotter thermostat. also your radiator might not be a problem sometimes if your carb gets out of wack it will mess with your temp a vacuum test could solve your problem just a thought.. I also could be on the wrong track too..

*78 Chevyrado* · 04-07-2009, 05:51 PM

If you have ajunkyard near by, go there and look for a radiator that you think will work for you. If you find one, you can get the cars info and buy a new one for the junkyard car so it will be an affordable OE radiator. If the junker radiator is really cheap, you could get it for a test fit, and then go buy the new one.

04-06-2009, 04:16 PM	#1
sailed2japan Jonny Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Outside the Box, Austin,TX Posts: 741	What Radiator to Buy...? I'm in need of a radiator for my 83 Chevy that is the narrow type and has the inlet and outlet on the drivers side. I want to avoid the $$$ of a one-off unit and prefer the oem look. Is there an oem application for this type radiator? __________________ 1966 C30, Cummins, stacks, and a flat bed in progress... "Honor.....simply put, A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve is someone who, at one time in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America', for an amount of 'up to and including his life.' That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it." -AEC Hundley USNR

04-06-2009, 06:12 PM	#2
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,906	Re: What Radiator to Buy...? Have you thought of upgrading to a 4core? It really isnt that expensive. Your local parts store should have one, just ask for a radiator for a 1ton 454. Dont just ask for a 4 core, they will try to sell you one of the fancy ones. You will need to get the brackets from a dealer, which really arent all that expsensive. It has been awhile since I did this and I want to say it was $150 or so. I didnt get the fan shroud, you would have to source that from another vehicle, but I didnt have problems with it getting hot unless I sat in traffic for awhile. This would also be a good start if you ever plan on electric fans, you wont need the stock shroud for them.. __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

04-06-2009, 06:26 PM	#3
sailed2japan Jonny Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Outside the Box, Austin,TX Posts: 741	Re: What Radiator to Buy...? I currently have a 4 core and it cools too much for my Cummins motor. I have to drive for 45 min before I get up to operating temp. I need to get the narrow style so I can pipe my intercooler (some day), and to get up to temp. I know guys running these motors with 4 cyl rads and no fan who never overheat. __________________ 1966 C30, Cummins, stacks, and a flat bed in progress... "Honor.....simply put, A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve is someone who, at one time in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America', for an amount of 'up to and including his life.' That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it." -AEC Hundley USNR

04-06-2009, 06:27 PM	#4
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,906	Re: What Radiator to Buy...? Gotcha... Makes sense now that I know the reason.. __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

04-06-2009, 07:33 PM	#5
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	Re: What Radiator to Buy...? Remove the fan off the motor. She how it operates. If cooling becomes a problem, then add electric fans. GM did not make a stock gas radiator with the inlet and outlet on the same side. Maybe the new diesels have the option. Another option is to bolt a piece of aluminum to cover 1/4 of the radiator. __________________ Gerardo a.k.a. Mad Chemist Silverado XST videos Last edited by old Rusty C10; 04-06-2009 at 10:08 PM.

04-06-2009, 07:44 PM	#6
sailed2japan Jonny Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Outside the Box, Austin,TX Posts: 741	Re: What Radiator to Buy...? Thanks G, but that won't solve my intercooler problem. Does anyone know of a good, but inexpensive place to get a custom rad? __________________ 1966 C30, Cummins, stacks, and a flat bed in progress... "Honor.....simply put, A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve is someone who, at one time in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America', for an amount of 'up to and including his life.' That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it." -AEC Hundley USNR

04-06-2009, 08:48 PM	#7
flamingbig10 6.0 powered square Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mesquite texas Posts: 3,459	Re: What Radiator to Buy...? a universal radiator from a speed shop, thats where I got mine its about the same size as factory, its afco brand aluminum 4 core, except it requires a transmission cooler for auto, since its made for dirt track cars its ran me less than $300 with the cooler __________________ Aaron 1980 c-10 short bed lowered, cammed 6.0, 4l80e 3600 stall, smp tune, wilwoods, and flames best time so far best et 7.86 @87 on motor 7.57 90 on a 75 shot Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=283326

04-07-2009, 04:58 AM	#8
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	Re: What Radiator to Buy...? As all good modications are done, make your own. Engineers never work on vehicles, so they don't think about future possibilities. Make something you need for performance. Example: my ram air solution for a 88-91 stock grill. My ideas: 1. remove the mechanical fan 2. make a new bracket cage 3. bracket cage should bolt to the radiator support 4. The cage should house the following from front to rear: transmission oil cooler, intercooler, radiator and electric fans. 5. Take pictures and brag about making modifications. __________________ Gerardo a.k.a. Mad Chemist Silverado XST videos

04-07-2009, 07:58 AM	#9
Cherub Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Houston Posts: 970	Re: What Radiator to Buy...? I dont know about OE but summit sells some rads with the in/outlets on the same side.

04-07-2009, 04:31 PM	#10
73chevyman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lusby, MD Posts: 563	Re: What Radiator to Buy...? just a question have you tried and hotter thermostat. also your radiator might not be a problem sometimes if your carb gets out of wack it will mess with your temp a vacuum test could solve your problem just a thought.. I also could be on the wrong track too.. __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/group.php?groupid=37 73 C10 Fleetside If it ain't a Chevy it's foreign http://hotridesmag.com/

04-07-2009, 05:51 PM	#11
78 Chevyrado Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Unnapreciative, Trollville Posts: 2,079	Re: What Radiator to Buy...? If you have ajunkyard near by, go there and look for a radiator that you think will work for you. If you find one, you can get the cars info and buy a new one for the junkyard car so it will be an affordable OE radiator. If the junker radiator is really cheap, you could get it for a test fit, and then go buy the new one.



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