Replacement Radiator Help and Alum vs OEM style

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Hemioutlaw

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Long story short I've got to replace the damaged rad in my BB 69' Cuda, this car was modded years ago and i had a boneyard rad rebuilt for it. It fit fine and had a good shroud on it which i'd like to keep. According to the numbers on the rad top and looking at this cross reference http://www.mopar1.us/radiator.txt it says the rad is for a 69' 383 C-Body. For me it's not necessarily going to be the 11th Commandment that I go back with OEM style and everything i'm reading is saying that the Alums cool better but talk is cheap and generally so is stuff made out of Chinkonium. Back in the day it used to be 4-Core and now its Big Tube Alum 2-Core.

I'm trying to make sure my shroud will fit and Biggest problem i'm finding is that after talking with three different ones today nobody at these companies seems to have:
A) a damn schematic on their Radiator
or
B) Shroud attachment bolt locations that are compatible though they ALL state its a direct replacement

I definitely ain't going the Gazillion $$$ Griffin route and am hoping to get off the hook in the 2-300 dolla range and it was suggested that I don't disclude local parts stores and came up with this Duralast....Parent Co is Spectre https://www.autozone.com/cooling-he...iator/duralast-radiator-b332/776898_1093513_0 (No Schematic)

This: 66-70 Mopar C-Body 26x17.5 Aluminum Performance Radiator | Cold Case Aluminum Performance Radiators (doesn't line up and 4 hrs later still waiting on a response)

And this: 26" Big Block Mopar Radiator (these guys are actually closer to the right dimensions but guy I talked to said i gotta look at the small block rad for more dimension specifics) Problem with this outfit is a simple www search reveals there are quite a few unhappy campers out there

Going to make a decision tomorrow to either order the Duralast from Autozone and match my stuff up to see if it fits when it comes in or possibly the Speed cooling one.

*****Since a byproduct of doing what we do with old cars comes with being gluttons for punishment anybody want to chime in with more choices or thoughts...

*There coming to take me away..Ha Ha Hee Hee Ha Ha to the Funny Farm!

69'Cuda Unmothballed 12.4.19-6.jpg
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69' Cuda Rad Dimensions.jpg












69'Cuda Unmothballed 12.4.19-6.jpg
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Yup, The bottom tank can be removed and repaired and or replaced. If the core is bad. Recore it and change nothing. If you start down the "change one thing rabbit hole" it going to be a pain in your *** and could even cost more in the end. You have something that works. Run with it JMO
 
Go OE you won't be sorry.
Personally I don't like the look of AL radiators.
 
An OEM replacement radiator from Year One of classic INdustries are the same radiator . In other words , 17 1/2" x 22" x 2". They use (3) 1/2" cores on 9/16" centers . The c-body rad have the same dimentions but stick up too far and must be modified to bolt on . There is one aluminum radiator maker that gives dimentions ECP.com gives these numbers . Even the shroud locations . If you have a A-body with a b.b. the shroud won't work unless you have a b.b. k-frame . Schumacher mounts put the motor too far to the right to work . My opinion is that if you're going to spend a bunch of money on a radiator it had better be a drop in . AND cool like a blizzard
 
Watch the video on the page

U.S. Radiator Core Designs

Yup, informative and they want a fortune for their stuff too

VERY informative.
An OEM replacement radiator from Year One of classic INdustries are the same radiator . In other words , 17 1/2" x 22" x 2". They use (3) 1/2" cores on 9/16" centers . The c-body rad have the same dimentions but stick up too far and must be modified to bolt on . There is one aluminum radiator maker that gives dimentions ECP.com gives these numbers . Even the shroud locations . If you have a A-body with a b.b. the shroud won't work unless you have a b.b. k-frame . Schumacher mounts put the motor too far to the right to work . My opinion is that if you're going to spend a bunch of money on a radiator it had better be a drop in . AND cool like a blizzard

I ain't gonna spend a bunch of money (famous last words) and the C-Body radiator came out of the car
 
Call GlenRay, up in Wisconsin, they can keep the OEM exterior look and triple re-core yours. Or he may have one available.
Glen-ray Radiators - All New Licensed Mopar Chrysler Dodge Plymouth Radiators

Just got off the phone with Glen-Ray, super nice guy, wasn't trying to push his product at all and really knew his Chit. His stuff is expensive but gave me the HONEST lowdown (thumbs up or down) on other mfgs I mentioned I was looking at including the one i'm going to look at in the morning that may be the one I ultimately get. Good Price and OEM style.

Jeeeez,
I've now successfully managed to spend almost the entire day "parked in the chair and getting an azz like a circus pony" trying to find a radiator but obviously avoiding wasting money on junk product and avoiding future overheating issue will make that all worth it......So glad I posted this thread.....This fkn sites awesome!
 
Thx, Have already talked with them and may end up going with them if I don't like the one I go see tomorrow

This is no help but mine looks almost like urs and hasn't leaked for about 6-7ish yrs .. -----griffin 28x19 crossflow , griffin makes good stuff !!
IMG_0539 (3).jpg
 
"Yup, informative and they want a fortune for their stuff too"

My point was that there are so many types of RADs available today, and knowing what would be the best structure, cores material etc for your particular application would be helpfull. ALSO I saw in the 67 dart parts book, there is a section stating the fan blades, pully dia, water pump find etc for each engine, AC, NON AC , car etc.

Also very informative.
,
 
My replies below are underlined and italicized.
http://www.mopar1.us/radiator.txt it says the rad is for a 69' 383 C-Body. Back in the day it used to be 4-Core and now its Big Tube Alum 2-Core.
The US Rad aluminum radiator is 'assembled' in the USA. Core and tanks are imported. Also, core is dual 1" as is ECP. Both may get the job done fine. Either or Both may not. There is absolutely no way to tell without trying.

I'm trying to make sure my shroud will fit and Biggest problem i'm finding is that after talking with three different ones today nobody at these companies seems to have:
C-body and A-body shrouds don't interchange. They are not even close. So if you choose a C-body rad, you need a C-body shroud. etc. That assumes the mfg has made provisions for the proper shroud.

This: 66-70 Mopar C-Body 26x17.5 Aluminum Performance Radiator | Cold Case Aluminum Performance Radiators (doesn't line up and 4 hrs later still waiting on a response)
I'm pretty sure I responded? I monitor all the Mopar forums and I think I am caught up. Any 26" radiator in an 1969 A-body is going to require modifications. I don't believe an A-body ever had a 26" radiator. If I'm wrong about this, then the C-body rad will fit the support fine. If you use a C-body shroud, that will fit fine as well.

And this: 26" Big Block Mopar Radiator (these guys are actually closer to the right dimensions but guy I talked to said i gotta look at the small block rad for more dimension specifics) Problem with this outfit is a simple www search reveals there are quite a few unhappy campers out there

ECP has nothing unique. We have all the same dimensions they have plus more applications because we've been on these forums for 2 years now and have taken all the input given very seriously. Their core is also just 2 1" tubes like US Radiator. Again, might be ok for you. Might not. That's a chance you need to decide. I have always been consistent. Our philosophy is the same as Griffin. Get the maximum cooling and know you got the max. Then if you have issues, you know it's something else! :)

Going to make a decision tomorrow to either order the Duralast from Autozone and match my stuff up to see if it fits when it comes in or possibly the Speed cooling one.

*****Since a byproduct of doing what we do with old cars comes with being gluttons for punishment anybody want to chime in with more choices or thoughts...

*There coming to take me away..Ha Ha Hee Hee Ha Ha to the Funny Farm!

Ha! I dont' blame you. There's a lot of choices. Most may get the job done. However, if you end up like my situation, the difference between 4 row, dual 1" and dual 1 1.25" may make all the difference in the world. I tried them all on my stroked 462 Pontiac and none of them would keep temps held. I'd creep and creep and creep until I had to pull over. except the 1.25" tube model I finally tried (not even a Cold Case at the time) It kept temps at 190 all day long. Since then, of course we installed a Cold Case and it does the same. 190 all day long.
 
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Its hard to interpret which is the reply from Hemioutlaw and which is your reply. That's due to your reply being inside his quotes. You should reply outside of his quotes. Hope that makes sense, trying to help.
 
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Its hard to interpret which is the reply from Hemioutlaw and which is your reply. That's due to your reply being inside his quotes. You should reply outside.if his quotes. Hope that makes sense, trying to help.

Agree! He had so many points I wanted to cover. I tried to separate by underlining my input. Hope everyone can follow knowing that. :)
 
Its hard to interpret which is the reply from Hemioutlaw and which is your reply. That's due to your reply being inside his quotes. You should reply outside.if his quotes. Hope that makes sense, trying to help.


Whelp since it was my post I can make sense of it but I can see how anyone else reading it would be left scratching their head so I'll clear it up.

Somebody at Cold Case did respond via email to me yesterday regarding the concerns I expressed to them of utilizing my existing "FACTORY C-BODY" Shroud that Perfectly mated to my now damaged "C-BODY RADIATOR" that I had installed in my 69' A-BODY Barracuda years ago after I put in the 440. I was told by the Cold Case Rep that based on my shroud bolt hole centerline dimensions that it WOULD NOT be a direct fit but would be close, I was honestly at that point on the fence whether I really wanted to drop $400 bones on the Cold Case because the reality is that i'm sinking a fortune into another vehicle project and the 69' was supposed to be basically a simple fuel system redo, New Percy's Header gaskets and go.

On the 69' I've already sunk an unplanned $1800 into a new Torqueflite and Converter and then the Radiator issue showed up. In what could possibly end up being a textbook case of "Haste makes Waste" the below "3 Row C-Body" Rad was offered to me yesterday locally for just slightly over $200. I drove the 45 minutes to Fort Worth this morning to check it out and damned if the shroud doesn't fit it either but the front Rad rails were the same, Hemming and Hawwing for a bit in conversation with the Rad shop owner about the importance of keeping the 440 Cool and the heat dissipation properties of Alums vs Brass...He jumped in and said if it doesn't cool bring it back and I'll refund your money.........Hmmmmmmm, I made the executive decision to get it.

I've already cut off the front studs and tomorrow will transfer the speed nuts from the old Rad to the New and drill the clearance holes so i can mount my shroud.

I'm admittedly OCD and had the Cold Case Response been available this AM I would have picked up the phone and got it and not worried about cooling or the cost and possibly sleeping better at night but now under an overpass. Yuk!

Now I've saved Two hundred Clams but in the back of my mind i'm already wondering if i stepped on my meat and will this one cool....we'll just have to wait and see.



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I totally get it. That radiator doesn't look bad. It may also do the job just fine.

If it doesn't, PM me and I'll set you up with special Forum member pricing to help ease the burden.
 
As usual got distracted by another project today but started getting ready to mount the OEM shroud to the New Rad and realized the standoff where the Shroud mounts is much different on the New Rad which will leave a big gap at the Top and Bottom which isn't optimal by any means. I've included pics of Old and New for comparison. I could braze an equal height panel in on the top and bottom but jeeez this is getting pretty involved or I can just mount it as is.....Any thoughts and No Wise Cracks from the Cold Case Guy as my meat already hurts from stepping on it..Ha Ha ha

Og Rad Shroud Fit-1.jpg
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Replacement Rad Shroud Fit-1.jpg
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I put a Champion 3 core in my Dart but I made my own shroud. Very reasonably priced.They sell C body Radiators as well.
https://shop.championcooling.com/Performance-Radiators/Chrysler/Newport
Well,
I honestly haven't heard rave reviews on the Champs, my car's got a high compression 440 and keeping it cool is a challenge....what size motor and compression are you running...is it street driven and does it get into the 100's in Summer where you live?

I've already had to chitcan the replacement rad I purchased due to fan clearance issues but I did take a look at aftermarket shrouds today in the event I don't use the OEM Mopar one I was so hung up on...in reality the plastic OEM one would probably look funky on an alum rad.
 
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