Ready to buy an Aluminum Radiator

Actually that depends on what style radiator you use. If you stay with a stock type that has top and bottom tanks your correct, the opening isn't big enough. If you go with an aftermarket type with side tanks they measure their width counting the tanks so the actual core size ends up only being about 23-23.75". I've been researching putting a bigger radiator in my 68 Cuda and it looks like the 26" wide crossflow will work fine because my core opening is approx. 23.75".
Don't think my car needed any major trimming to get a 26" top/bottom tank in it, when I go outside I will lift the cover & take a look....