Radiator confusion = Is it Possible the l6 250 Rad is the same as the 350?

[CKfan]

I get more confused every time I research this radiator business. My inline-6 292 manual trans (69 K10) had the heavy duty radiator listed on the SPID as option V01.

I am assuming from what I have read, it is the same as the big block units but being 50 + years old it may have been swapped out at some point. Rad shop said mine was repaired with JB weld, solder and a few other things on too many times to save. I have a couple 3 row inposters on standby while I search for a 4 row "correct??" replacement.

[mr.mud1]

i don't know for certain but i'd doubt a 6 cylinder had the same rad as a big block?my Fremont built 72 big block truck with A/C has a 3 row rad but tanks that will accomodate a 4 core.i know on the rad support,in a few inches from the saddles that support the bottom of the rad at the tanks on one side is an extra set of holes for saddles for a narrower rad.i've never had a 6 cylinder truck but i have seen the extra holes on my truck and trucks from the past.my big block truck cools great with the new 3 core rad i did for it.what was in your truck?you said it might have been changed?i wouldn't think one of the 3 cores you have,would have any trouble cooling your engine?

[CKfan]

Had a mutilated 4 row which seemed to be overkill but I assumed it was right since the SPID said "Heavy Duty Radiator." Assuming HD rads mean 4 row. The odds of finding a 4 row manual rad in good condition are slim and none so I will likely go with the 3 row but will continue the investigation.

*Updated correction* Rad shop verified the radiator I brought them (my original) was only 3 row. I had thought and wrote it was 4 row. Not the case.

Per GM standard equipment on KS10: 1 1/4" rad core 446 sq in area, 13 lb cap
also had a HD and Extra HD option V01 and V05 available. No sq in noted

[Already Gone]

Just for general info my 72 C10 with the 350 and auto trans and factory A/C came from factory with a 3 row rad attached to 4 row tanks. Had it rebuilt with 4 rows as figured why not.

[mr.mud1]

Originally Posted by mr.mud1

i don't know for certain but i'd doubt a 6 cylinder had the same rad as a big block?my Fremont built 72 big block truck with A/C has a 3 row rad but tanks that will accomodate a 4 core.i know on the rad support,in a few inches from the saddles that support the bottom of the rad at the tanks on one side is an extra set of holes for saddles for a narrower rad.i've never had a 6 cylinder truck but i have seen the extra holes on my truck and trucks from the past.my big block truck cools great with the new 3 core rad i did for it.what was in your truck?you said it might have been changed?i wouldn't think one of the 3 cores you have,would have any trouble cooling your engine?

i just checked my SPID for curiousty and there's nothing noted for radiator but on my built sheet,in the box that says radiator & shroud,it says JGBKB.interesting.

[72c20customcamper]

The six radiator is a few inches shorter in width . I had to move the mounts inward on the repo radiator support they were to wide . There were two sets of holes for the top mounts . Also while it still takes almost the same amount of coolant as the 4 row as posted but it’s the extra surface area of the 4 row cools much better . My little 250 never even gets to the middle of the gauge with no shroud just the finger guard .

['68OrangeSunshine]

I have a 3-row, V8 wide radiator on my 292. Works fine even in Tucson.

[Steeveedee]

Doggoned if I can find it now, but I saw a post/thread on here(?) that detailed what options played out for each vehicle. I personally would not expect a 4-row radiator as "Heavy Duty" for a six cylinder engine, even with AC. We've seen where they would have a fan shroud, in this case. I'd really like for someone to post that "brochure", or whatever information it was that spelled out those options.

[CAMAROBOY68SS]

My 68 was a factory 292 I6/4 speed truck and on the glove box was listed with the HD radiator V01 option. I went to the info kit for 68's on the GM Heritage sight and based on the info there, the V01 option was the standard radiator with an automatic. So I think if a I6 truck got the V01 option, it ended up with a small block radiator from the factory is my guess. The radiator in my truck is the original piece and looks to be a 3 row/core unit and it acts like it as my small block never get above the mid point on the gauge unless sitting in hot weather idling for more than 20 mins while waiting to get into a show, lol.

[MikeB]

Could be the radiator manufacturers want to have only one part number instead of two. Funny, but the GM specs for an 1982 C10 that I used to own show the 250 and 305 using the the same radiator. And (I think) even a 350 unless it had A/C or higher than the basic GVWR ratings.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by Yamariv

Ok, so I spent all morning calling around and researching options. Looks like I'm looking at $600 to get my 2 core rad re-cored and made into a 3 core. Man that's pricey!!

I installed an aftermarket aluminum rad in my 82 C10. I bought it at O'Reilly Auto parts and it had a lifetime warranty. I drove that truck another 5 years in Texas summers w/o any problems at all. I think the brand name was Spectra, and back in 2015 it cost around $125.

[CKfan]

Originally Posted by Yamariv

This is correct! After all morning researching rads and measuring the 3 core vs 2 core..my stock 2 core is shorter in length but just as tall as the 3 core for the SBC's. To mount, all I'll have to do is move one of my top rad clamps over a few inches to the other factory holes.

When I looked at my L6 2 core rad closer, it actually doesn't sit centered in the rad support opening hole cause its smaller. It's actually a few inches over to one side. Kinda interesting! The bigger 3 core should fill the hole fully now.

=Photo of my 292 Inline 6 with my original "heavy duty" 3 row rad and shows the wider mounting point in the photo.

The rad shop is piecing my original back together using one of the 3 core rads I had sitting around. They are only going to use my original passenger side tank (has Harrison and the tags on it).