Buying a new radiator - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

gman · 02-06-2003, 04:52 PM

Anyone have any dealings with radiator.com. I've read past posts but wanted to hear about any current dealings with them or some of the vendors out there. I need a new radiator for my 350 4X4 w/AC. Their prices seem to be pretty good compared to others but maybe the quality isn't the same. Some of the vendors on here sell them and was wondering about differences. Any ideas?

Wootdog · 02-06-2003, 05:10 PM

Here on the East Coast you can still get them from the auto parts stores. I got mine a four core for auto transmission and a 350 for 190.00 at Advance auto parts. Wootdog

**BOSS** · 02-06-2003, 05:49 PM

my bro got his for the 72 at autozone for $175

**Classic Heartbeat** · 02-06-2003, 06:05 PM

I have had real good luck with them and they cover their radiators with a lifetime warrantee. I even have 3 of their radiators installed in my trucks. One I have had for about 4 years without any problems. I have had a couple damaged in shipping, but they have always been good about replacing them. The radiators that they sell are made in Mexico. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com

**Yukon Jack** · 02-06-2003, 06:40 PM

From what I have gathered there are different prices for different radiators depending on the year of the vehicle and whether it is a manual or auto - find the cheapest one for a 67-72 and order it as they are all the same. That is, if you order one for a manual, it will have the hookups for the auto tranny, but you don't pay for them. I went ahead and bought local rather than through radiator.com just for added piece of mind and easy returnability if something is not right. Someone on here recently purchased from them and in a PM to me, he said it appeared to be great quality and he was pleased with their speed of getting it to him.

EdB · 02-07-2003, 12:07 AM

I recently purchased one for my truck.

It is a four row and was bigger than the
one it replaced.

I had to cut in metal to lengthen the
supports. The shroud fit fine and it
is tight.

I will know for sure how good it is
when I am running the air at 95
degrees.

EdB

Mike C · 02-07-2003, 12:13 AM

I've bought two, both from Ed at Mothertruckers. They were perfect replacements for my factory HD radiators and highly recommend them/him.

Fred T · 02-07-2003, 01:58 AM

I asked at my local parts store this week. 4 row for my 69 was $170. Made in Canada by Spectra http://www.spectrapremium.com/ . Said they have had real good luck with them.

gman · 02-07-2003, 10:56 AM

Will a 4 row fit these trucks without having to fabricate something like EdB did? I believe a 3 row is whats in my truck and the local radiator guy says a 4 row won't fit.

Wootdog · 02-07-2003, 11:02 AM

I had a two row in my truck before I swapped to a four row. Wootdog

Jesse 67 c-10 · 02-07-2003, 11:10 AM

I bought a rad for a mid 70's caprice, to replace my stock 2 core. it was only $175 cdn or so and has 3 wide cores, fits perfectly with the brackets in the outside position. The same rad for my truck was $250. I don't think a 4 row would be that much better, our 79 gmc heavy half with a 350 came factory with a 2 row rad, never overheated. look at overall thickness and how many fins there are. heat transfer is proportional to surface area of all the fins.
Jesse

Blue Beard · 02-07-2003, 11:11 AM

I changed a radiator in a 1970, and went to the 4 row. Only change was the upper and lower hold down clamps had to be changed as well.

Other than that everything was good.

6869704X4 · 02-07-2003, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gman
Will a 4 row fit these trucks without having to fabricate something like EdB did? I believe a 3 row is whats in my truck and the local radiator guy says a 4 row won't fit.

This is a crappy pic but this is what I had to do when I swapped to a newer support. Juat had to notch the support for the rad bracket. You would need the bigger brackets too.

gman · 02-07-2003, 02:35 PM

Hey, thanks for the advise everyone.

mikej71 · 02-07-2003, 03:19 PM

I purchased a 4 row radiator from them for $130. They accidentally sent me a 3 row, but sent the correct one the next day. I haven't actually installed it, but I think it was a good deal.
I'd recommend them.

Also, they sell on Ebay with the username radiator_doctor.

Mike

02-06-2003, 04:52 PM	#1
gman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Ogden, Utah Posts: 290	Buying a new radiator Anyone have any dealings with radiator.com. I've read past posts but wanted to hear about any current dealings with them or some of the vendors out there. I need a new radiator for my 350 4X4 w/AC. Their prices seem to be pretty good compared to others but maybe the quality isn't the same. Some of the vendors on here sell them and was wondering about differences. Any ideas? __________________ 72 Chevy SWB Custom Deluxe K10, 350/SM465, PS, PB, Fact. Air 2000 Harley...Wide Glide

02-06-2003, 05:10 PM	#2
Wootdog Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Virginia Beach, Va, USA Posts: 1,672	Here on the East Coast you can still get them from the auto parts stores. I got mine a four core for auto transmission and a 350 for 190.00 at Advance auto parts. Wootdog __________________ 1969 Chevelle 1990 IROC Z Convertible 2002 Silverado LT

02-06-2003, 05:49 PM	#3
BOSS Just here to help Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Norwood,Mo Posts: 3,893	my bro got his for the 72 at autozone for $175 __________________ Support our site Norwood Survivor

02-06-2003, 06:05 PM	#4
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,770	I have had real good luck with them and they cover their radiators with a lifetime warrantee. I even have 3 of their radiators installed in my trucks. One I have had for about 4 years without any problems. I have had a couple damaged in shipping, but they have always been good about replacing them. The radiators that they sell are made in Mexico. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

02-06-2003, 06:40 PM	#5
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,683	From what I have gathered there are different prices for different radiators depending on the year of the vehicle and whether it is a manual or auto - find the cheapest one for a 67-72 and order it as they are all the same. That is, if you order one for a manual, it will have the hookups for the auto tranny, but you don't pay for them. I went ahead and bought local rather than through radiator.com just for added piece of mind and easy returnability if something is not right. Someone on here recently purchased from them and in a PM to me, he said it appeared to be great quality and he was pleased with their speed of getting it to him. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

02-07-2003, 12:07 AM	#6
EdB Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Gulfport Ms Posts: 401	I recently purchased one for my truck. It is a four row and was bigger than the one it replaced. I had to cut in metal to lengthen the supports. The shroud fit fine and it is tight. I will know for sure how good it is when I am running the air at 95 degrees. EdB

02-07-2003, 12:13 AM	#7
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,709	I've bought two, both from Ed at Mothertruckers. They were perfect replacements for my factory HD radiators and highly recommend them/him. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

02-07-2003, 01:58 AM	#8
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	I asked at my local parts store this week. 4 row for my 69 was $170. Made in Canada by Spectra http://www.spectrapremium.com/ . Said they have had real good luck with them. __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

02-07-2003, 10:56 AM	#9
gman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Ogden, Utah Posts: 290	Will a 4 row fit these trucks without having to fabricate something like EdB did? I believe a 3 row is whats in my truck and the local radiator guy says a 4 row won't fit. __________________ 72 Chevy SWB Custom Deluxe K10, 350/SM465, PS, PB, Fact. Air 2000 Harley...Wide Glide

02-07-2003, 11:02 AM	#10
Wootdog Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Virginia Beach, Va, USA Posts: 1,672	YES I had a two row in my truck before I swapped to a four row. Wootdog __________________ 1969 Chevelle 1990 IROC Z Convertible 2002 Silverado LT

02-07-2003, 11:10 AM	#11
Jesse 67 c-10 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Posts: 599	I bought a rad for a mid 70's caprice, to replace my stock 2 core. it was only $175 cdn or so and has 3 wide cores, fits perfectly with the brackets in the outside position. The same rad for my truck was $250. I don't think a 4 row would be that much better, our 79 gmc heavy half with a 350 came factory with a 2 row rad, never overheated. look at overall thickness and how many fins there are. heat transfer is proportional to surface area of all the fins. Jesse __________________ Edmonton, Alberta, 67 c-10, Long fleet, front disks, 5 lug rear end, 327 with Vortechs, edlbrock manifold, comp cams XE 256, 600cfm carb. Backed by a getrag 5 speed and 1 piece driveshaft. 1993 Dihatsu Hijet Jumbo cab 4x4, currently converting to battery electric power.

02-07-2003, 11:11 AM	#12
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,834	I changed a radiator in a 1970, and went to the 4 row. Only change was the upper and lower hold down clamps had to be changed as well. Other than that everything was good. __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo

02-07-2003, 02:35 PM	#14
gman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Ogden, Utah Posts: 290	Hey, thanks for the advise everyone. __________________ 72 Chevy SWB Custom Deluxe K10, 350/SM465, PS, PB, Fact. Air 2000 Harley...Wide Glide

02-07-2003, 03:19 PM	#15
mikej71 Unregistered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston, TX USA Posts: 538	I purchased a 4 row radiator from them for $130. They accidentally sent me a 3 row, but sent the correct one the next day. I haven't actually installed it, but I think it was a good deal. I'd recommend them. Also, they sell on Ebay with the username radiator_doctor. Mike __________________ 71 SWB Stepside SB400/TH350



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