Radiator swap question

[willem445]

So my 1980 Chevy K20 (350/SM465/NP205, no A/C) radiator started leaking antifreeze all over the place. I'm looking to swap it with a radiator that I had in a 1978 C10 parts truck. The C10 parts truck had an automatic transmission (not sure on model) as well as A/C.

My old leaking radiator only had the input/output & overflow holes whereas this C10 radiator has 4 additional holes. 2 of them (red arrows) had nothing connected to them & don't appear to be plugged (I'm not sure if I disconnected something a while back or if I bought it this way). The other 2 (red arrows) had steel lines connected and had what appeared to be oil run out when I cut the line.

Any idea if I can just plug the additional 4 holes and use this radiator? The measurements appear to be roughly similar.

[Bandit130]

IMO I would buy a new aluminum one. That old one could leak as well. The new radiators are really not that expensive.

[Dead Parrot]

The pair under the fill cap are normally transmission cooler lines for auto trans. Possible the pair on the other side(with the input radiator hose) are for an oil cooler.

If the thing fits, no reason not to test and see if it leaks. If no leaks, it should work for a while. It may buy you some time but if it is OEM, it is probably close to EOL. Even if it works, you want to do your research on a new replacement before your parts truck radiator fails.

Flush all of the fluids in the coolers out and plug. You don't want oil from a leaky cooler causing you to worry about a cracked head or block.

[willem445]

Thanks Bandit130 and Dead Parrot. I was originally looking at new ones but figured I'd ask about this radiator since I have it on hand.

Any advice on good new ones?

I found this Spectra Premium CU161 for $115 or this Summit Racing one for $379.