Northern radiator issue - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ryans69chevy · 07-23-2016, 04:59 PM

Just bought a new northern radiator through the local radiator shop and I just tried installing it into my new radiator core support as well as the original core support and the radiator doesn't seem to want to fit as good as I expected.

From northern's website it's part number 205179 which states the overall dimensions are 32-3/4X18-3/8x3-1/8. The saddles don't seem to be wanting to line up on the radiator as I think they should. After researching I see a lot of people are measuring their radiators at 34-1/4 which seems more correct to me.
The website says this is for our pickups.

Anybody have any insight on this?

Thanks,
Ryan

ryans69chevy · 07-23-2016, 06:31 PM

After looking at it some more I think it might be the correct size. I just need to Get the larger 3-1/4" saddles and then I believe it will work. Still looks a little off centered when standing back and looking from the front of the vehicle. It shows more of the tank on one side then the other. This might bug me...

72MARIO · 11-02-2017, 07:48 PM

I am looking at buying this rad and wondering how it worked out.

PanelDeland · 11-02-2017, 10:27 PM

There is a width difference between the 2 row and the 4 row (I'm not sure which the 3 row uses but it's one of the two". If the top is set to use the outer holes then the bottom will need to be changed to the wider lower mounts. A few min with a grinder and drill will get the old ones gone but you'll need new mounts and rubbers for the bottom if you need them for the top.

72MARIO · 11-04-2017, 06:42 AM

Ok. Thanks for your help. Looks to be the most affordable welded rad here in Canada.

ryans69chevy · 11-12-2017, 05:49 PM

Haven't gotten to install it yet. The radiator shop here in town swears by them. That's who I bought mine from. Good luck!

67ChevyRedneck · 11-13-2017, 12:08 PM

2 and 3 row use the same top and bottom mounts and rubber.

The 4 row use the wider mounts and rubber (top and bottom). You used to have to get used ones, but they're available new now. The 4 row also uses the widest set of holes on the core support.

In The Ten Ring · 11-13-2017, 12:22 PM

I bought a KKS radiator after a forum member swore by it. I had to go with reproduction 4-row radiator brackets underneath and I used OEM 2/3 row brackets up top. I will still have to drill a new hole in the core support to allow the driver's side bracket to be completely bolted down.

Eventually I will have my old 2 row radiator recored but that is a $700.00 option.

I might even get a forum member to make me a custom radiator so I can get a completely horizontal filler hole and cap.

You might find that original rubber cushions are too think and lots of guys shave those done. I am going to make spacers to function as shims for those upper brackets so those will lie flat.

07-23-2016, 04:59 PM	#1
ryans69chevy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Casselton, North Dakota 58012 Posts: 1,082	Northern radiator issue Just bought a new northern radiator through the local radiator shop and I just tried installing it into my new radiator core support as well as the original core support and the radiator doesn't seem to want to fit as good as I expected. From northern's website it's part number 205179 which states the overall dimensions are 32-3/4X18-3/8x3-1/8. The saddles don't seem to be wanting to line up on the radiator as I think they should. After researching I see a lot of people are measuring their radiators at 34-1/4 which seems more correct to me. The website says this is for our pickups. Anybody have any insight on this? Thanks, Ryan Attached Images

07-23-2016, 06:31 PM	#2
ryans69chevy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Casselton, North Dakota 58012 Posts: 1,082	Re: Northern radiator issue After looking at it some more I think it might be the correct size. I just need to Get the larger 3-1/4" saddles and then I believe it will work. Still looks a little off centered when standing back and looking from the front of the vehicle. It shows more of the tank on one side then the other. This might bug me...

11-02-2017, 07:48 PM	#3
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,051	Re: Northern radiator issue I am looking at buying this rad and wondering how it worked out. __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

11-02-2017, 10:27 PM	#4
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,992	Re: Northern radiator issue There is a width difference between the 2 row and the 4 row (I'm not sure which the 3 row uses but it's one of the two". If the top is set to use the outer holes then the bottom will need to be changed to the wider lower mounts. A few min with a grinder and drill will get the old ones gone but you'll need new mounts and rubbers for the bottom if you need them for the top. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

11-04-2017, 06:42 AM	#5
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,051	Re: Northern radiator issue Ok. Thanks for your help. Looks to be the most affordable welded rad here in Canada. __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

11-12-2017, 05:49 PM	#6
ryans69chevy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Casselton, North Dakota 58012 Posts: 1,082	Re: Northern radiator issue Haven't gotten to install it yet. The radiator shop here in town swears by them. That's who I bought mine from. Good luck!

11-13-2017, 12:08 PM	#7
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: Northern radiator issue 2 and 3 row use the same top and bottom mounts and rubber. The 4 row use the wider mounts and rubber (top and bottom). You used to have to get used ones, but they're available new now. The 4 row also uses the widest set of holes on the core support. __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

11-13-2017, 12:22 PM	#8
In The Ten Ring Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: West Virginia Posts: 6,427	Re: Northern radiator issue I bought a KKS radiator after a forum member swore by it. I had to go with reproduction 4-row radiator brackets underneath and I used OEM 2/3 row brackets up top. I will still have to drill a new hole in the core support to allow the driver's side bracket to be completely bolted down. Eventually I will have my old 2 row radiator recored but that is a $700.00 option. I might even get a forum member to make me a custom radiator so I can get a completely horizontal filler hole and cap. You might find that original rubber cushions are too think and lots of guys shave those done. I am going to make spacers to function as shims for those upper brackets so those will lie flat.



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