Radiator Question

[dtkarst]

Does any one have any idea of the best place to find a new radiator? Mines shot and need a new one. Just dont know the best place to get one. THanks

[TopFuel1966]

If you want the best place for the best radiator here it is:

http://www.mattsonscustomradiator.com/

[fasteddie1964]

I got mine from autozone, but you have to change location of lower mounts to get it to work right and the top mount don't fit just right but it works good and keeps engine cool. $215

[argonaut]

I used a Champion radiator, bought on ebay from a guy in oregon. You can get 2, 3 or 4 row in aluminum. Mine is working great. Many people have them and there are many posts on this subject.

[dtkarst]

Im hoping to get something with a stock look to it. The radiator shop here in town said they had one in stock but i would have to work my brackets a little bit to make it work and it would be $250. They also said they can order one that will fit a little better for 290.

[slorio]

Here's my spiel if you want a new radiator. I went through this in a panic a few months ago. Radiator shop couldn't get
new core to fix my old one. Radiator shop wanted $500 for a "custom"
manufactured replacement radiator. No thanks. Radiators on E bay were $225,
but were aluminum from China. No thanks. I found a new copper/brass three
row radiator for $186.79 from Rock Auto (www.rockauto.com) supplied by
Proliance, made in Mexico. Ended up $207 with shipping. The radiator has
connections for auto tranny cooler that I didn't need and was slightly larger on
the outlet then my original (1.75" vs. 1.5"). I am well satisfied. One note
on measurements that I learned is that they don't include the tank. You need
to add the tanks to get overall dimensions. Here is the info from the
Proliance site and the part number for it:

Regards,
Steve
New Orleans

Part Number - 433284
Make - GM
Construction Copper - Brass
Core Size - 17 3/8 x 24 3/4 x 2
Number Of Rows - 3
Mount Type - Channel
Inlet Location - Top Left
Outlet - 1 3/4
Outlet Location - Bottom Right
Tank Inlet Size - 2 1/2 x 25 7/8
Tank Outlet Size - 2 1/2 x 25 7/16
Hose Inlet Size - 1 3/4
Transmission Oil Cooler - 1

[argonaut]

If you get an aluminum one you could always paint the top and bottom ends satin black for a more stock-ish appearance. Just a thought.

[**grumpy**]

Im a big fan of the universal aluminum rads from Summit Racing. About 160 bucks and you'll need to make your own brackets.
Ive used them in many trucks, cars etc.

I had a 57 chevy wagon that would sit and idle for hours in 95 degree and humid days with one of those.

Im sold. But they dont have drain plugs. You have to loosen lower hose to drain.

[argonaut]

I agree with grumpy in theory. I initially wanted to use one of the summit universals on my truck, and I even ordered one and started to mock it up. But then I noticed it was bent and twisted and had some damage. Maybe I just got unlucky but I decided I wasn't happy with the quality of the radiator, so I went with this one (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevy-C-K-Se...item43ac97ec99) and the quality was pretty good.

On my next truck I might try the summit cross flow again and see if my luck is better.

[**grumpy**]

I shoulda used a disclaimer...
I live 30 minutes or so from Summit, so I go there and open each radiator box to inspect it before I pay.
Ive got good ones on first try.
Ive also opened 3-4 boxes to find one not beat to hell...

But still worth it for a good 160 dollar radiator.

[dtkarst]

Well I found one on ebay, just today but Ive got the factory 327 and I dont drive it everyday so it idling in the heat for periods of time wont be na issue. I dont want to mess with my brackets a lot because every nut and bolt is original on the truck and would like to keep it that way. So i dont know if this one will work or not

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1963-1965-CH...ht_3823wt_1184

[Sick5]

Originally Posted by fasteddie1964

I got mine from autozone, but you have to change location of lower mounts to get it to work right and the top mount don't fit just right but it works good and keeps engine cool. $215

for what year did you get it for

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by argonaut

I agree with grumpy in theory. I initially wanted to use one of the summit universals on my truck, and I even ordered one and started to mock it up. But then I noticed it was bent and twisted and had some damage. Maybe I just got unlucky but I decided I wasn't happy with the quality of the radiator, so I went with this one (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevy-C-K-Se...item43ac97ec99) and the quality was pretty good.

On my next truck I might try the summit cross flow again and see if my luck is better.

I used the same Champion radiator. Its been installed for 3 years with no issues. Well pleased with an all aluminum rad for $200

[Captainfab]

That ebay listing does not say if it has a 2 row core or a 3 row core. Myself I wouldn't go with anything less than a 3 row core.

Have you seen the used radiator for sale here in the 60-66 classifieds?

Originally Posted by dtkarst

Well I found one on ebay, just today but Ive got the factory 327 and I dont drive it everyday so it idling in the heat for periods of time wont be na issue. I dont want to mess with my brackets a lot because every nut and bolt is original on the truck and would like to keep it that way. So i dont know if this one will work or not

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1963-1965-CH...ht_3823wt_1184

[SS317]

I also found mine at Autozone. Lifetime warranty and they are right down the road. In fact, I'm finding Autozone has a lot of parts for our trucks in stock or they can get them the next day for me... no extra shipping charges.

[jj1965]

Autozone here also just had to trim my passenger side lower mount to run my tranny cooler lines.