The CC radiators have a very fat core (3" on the one you linked to) so you may have problems with clearance between the core and water pump snout. I sure did, and had to go to a Champion radiator which has a 2.5 core thickness.
I had a Champion in my 70 Duster and was able to put on a fan (OE style with lots of pitch compared to aftermarket) and the 2947 short Hayden clutch. It fit, but not by much. I modified a shroud I got from Mancini Racing to fit. Cooled just fine. My current Duster has the 3 core Champion radiator with electric fans I modified to fit. Cools a lot better at low speed than my mech fan did. I am using the aftermarket pulley/bracket kit from CVF Racing because I'm using a magnum engine and the OE 1970 alternator/pulley bracket setup would not fit. The water pump pulley came with flat head bolts, and they were needed to clear the fans. Your mileage may vary, of course!
I know, right? Just price one with US Radiator and you'll begin to appreciate Champion. lol
With direct experience, I have nothing good to say about Cold Case.I've been looking at the Cold Case radiator for my Duster. Anyone have any thoughts about this one?
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I also bet you had a good little bit of room between the core and the radiator support. That's how mine is. I'm tempted to take to a friend who can TIG and let him relocate the side brackets so the core will be moved toward the front of the car, giving me a little more space.
Do you know if the brackets are welded to the Cold Case radiator so it positions the core way off the core support like the Champion radiator? Seems like if they welded the brackets on correctly, the extra 1/2" in thickness may not cause any issues.
The brackets are welded on just like the CC radiators are. I guess a radiator shop *could* remove & reweld them. Lot of hassle though...
I went to three, long-standing, highly reputable radiator shops in a quest to make one of those Chinese radiators fit. They all told me they can’t/wont reposition the brackets.
Well, that's a bummer. I'd rather have two 1.25" rows than three .75" rows. In my case though, losing 1/2" would be a deal breaker.
I didn't mean to be snippy, sorry if it came across that way.
I think all the information shared is relevant. People need to know for instance if the brackets are welded on in the wrong place. Don't you agree?
I put a 22" cold case in my 70 duster and tried putting a mech fan/clutch in. Would not fit at all (hit the core). Pulled the rad and went 26" 3 core champion. Worked great with contour fans.
Why is that?
I sometimes help a friend who owns a high end restoration shop in this county. When I say high end, I mean it. I'm talking about 150K plus builds. The guy is good. We had three different vehicles he ordered Cold Case radiators for. Two 62 Corvettes and a 69 Mustang. None of the radiators fit. Not even close. They were the correct numbers for the application. The Corvette radiators have "nubs" on the bottom tank that fit into holes in the very front cross member. The nubs on both radiators weren't even close to being spaced right to fit. Matt called and they told him they didn't have the correct measurements and that's how they made them. If he wanted them right, he needed to move the nubs and tig them in the right places. Both of those radiators got thrown in the scrap pile and he ordered two more from Griffin. Drop in replacements. The Mustang radiator actually came in damaged with the box perfect in every way. No marks on the outside or inside, so it had to be damaged before they boxed it up. You guess it. They refused to replace it. Also, after that, I called about a radiator for my truck. I never got anyone to answer. I sent messages through here to the Cold Case Rep. I never got an answer so I bought one from Summit. Not a Cold Case, but a Summit brand radiator. Fits good. Cools great. Yall can deal with Cold Case all you want. I'll never try them again. Here's one of the Corvettes. The customer put his own tires and wheels on after delivery.
