Looking for some assistance with radiator challenges

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HammerMX

HammerMX

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65 Dodge Dart GT with 225. The car has 99k miles and the original radiator has several issues, it finally let go last night. Local radiator shop is $175 for overhaul, new radiator is a little over $200. Does it behoove me to keep the original, the car will move into the resto-mod direction, but today everything is original...

Will a new radiator greatly increase cooling?

Thank you in advance for your insight!

HAMMER
 
Yes a new radiator will for sure be a difference in cooling. Even if you get your original re-cored. It was explained to me awhile back that with age, and even though you may not be able to see it. The fins can start to pull away from the tubes which impedes the heat transfer. Not to mention some of them becoming plugged.

There is a member on here, Challengergary, who sells Champion aluminum radiators. If your not concerned about having the original, look into that option.
 
straightlinespeed said:
Yes a new radiator will for sure be a difference in cooling. Even if you get your original re-cored. It was explained to me awhile back that with age, and even though you may not be able to see it. The fins can start to pull away from the tubes which impedes the heat transfer. Not to mention some of them becoming plugged.

There is a member on here, Challengergary, who sells Champion aluminum radiators. If your not concerned about having the original, look into that option.
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Excellent! Will look into the Champion solution.

Another silly question, my 225 has a transmission cooler copper connection lines, and when I was disconnecting the passenger side I kinked the line. Are these readily available(and it looks line a real ***** to change out...long with lots of bends and going through tight spots.

Again, any insight is greatly appreciated.
Hammer
 
Yes, there are multiple companies that sell bent lines. Inline Tube, Fine lines, Classic Industries. I know they all sell them. You can also run braided stainless with AN fittings if you choose to spend that kind of money.

I've used Inline and the Classics lines myself. I have to say that Inline seemed like better quality and the bends where more accurate. I had to do quite a bit of tweaking on the Classic lines. Or the last option is you can buy bulk line and try to bend it yourself.
 
HammerMX said:
65 Dodge Dart GT with 225. The car has 99k miles and the original radiator has several issues, it finally let go last night. Local radiator shop is $175 for overhaul, new radiator is a little over $200. Does it behoove me to keep the original, the car will move into the resto-mod direction, but today everything is original...

Will a new radiator greatly increase cooling?

Thank you in advance for your insight!

HAMMER
Click to expand...
if your going resto-mod get the new Radiator but don't junk or trash the Factory Radiator they should have the numbers on the tanks if you want to go back to stock of sell the car you would hvae something to repair and reinstall
 
copper cooler lines???? NO NO NO!!!! MUST be steel. for trans cooler lines. copper WILL break. think about this "what did chrysler use? STEEL STEEL!!!!" for a reason.
 
This is exactly the radiator I bought for my 225 if you're interested in doing it on the cheap. It's almost 2 years old, still works great - coolant in it is still green. The transmission cooler lines mate right up too.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Row-w-o-E...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43cf7cf3cf

I used two lower hoses to attach it if that makes sense. The inlet/ outlet are on the same side, but the top part needs to be a little different to work, so I bought a second lower hose, cut part of it off, and it worked as the top hose - if that makes sense.
 
If you're not going to swap over to a V8, I'd get your old radiator re-cored locally. Saves a buck or two and keeps the money in your local community. If you ever have a problem with it, the guy is right down the road.

You can buy new transmission cooler lines at any of the links above. They can be changed with the engine in the car, but you might have to lift the engine a little to get some room to work. Being that they're pre-bent lines, you have to snake them in from the back. It's frustrating, kinda like solving a puzzle, but it can be done.
 
I would recore. I once bought a replacement radiator for my 70 swinger from Pep Boys, and the new one didn't have the proper mounting for the fan shroud....

The fan shroud is important to cooling the car....
 
Thank you very much for the responses. Looks like I will be ordering a Champion radiator, if I can find one to order. Where has everyone gone to purchase one on line? Summit and Jegs do not carry them and when I went to the manufactures web page, they give a list of dealers but no one to order from.... Does ChallengerGary have a different web page to order from?

And yes after going back out to the car and looking at the transmission cooler lines, they do appear to be steel. And it looks like we should be able to repair existing, figures crossed.

Make it a great day!
HAMMER
 
Send a PM to Challengergary. Give him the info on your car and he will get back with you.

The major places like Summit and Jegs, do not carry this brand. You also have to buy thru a rep and not direct from Champion.
 
Thank you SLS, now if I can just find the PM section on the site.....:violent1:
 
Well I seem to be striking out at all avenues of approach. Took my radiator to the local shop and he took one look and said he could not "recore" or repair the radiator... So I tried Challenger Gary and he does not have the exact radiator but can have a custom one made (which I will most likely end up doing). And I tried five or six other companies that all advertise in magazines or web pages I frequent with not one having the 1965 Dodge Dart 225 radiator....

Maybe time for an upgrade?
HAMMER
 
its funny how none of the rad. co. want to handle the slant rad. for the early A's! even the alum guys have to change the necks and charge ya (you) extra!! LOL

there is one co., the name escapes me, that will build an oem for anything but the price I was quoted for 2 core 62 lancer was like $450. wow. FABO member gave me a correct one, had it recored but still cost $275 plus 3 trips going and coming. LOL

looks like the alum. rad. guys would accommodate the early A slant guys!!!??????
 
barbee6043 said:
looks like the alum. rad. guys would accommodate the early A slant guys!!!??????
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It's a money thing. Not enough people are running slants to make it worth their while to make them... :pale:
 
sireland67 said:
They are available, a little pricy, but they will fit.

http://www.usradiator.com/dodge-dart-1965-66-l6-170-225-radiator.html
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Pricey would not bother me, it is the fact that they do not have a 19" wide version, he wants me to mail my radiator and he will rebuild it.... $60 each way shipping and $360 for the work....and my local guy does not think mine is work fixing, he asked me if I used the floor jack to lift it out. The bottom is all bent in one section, car must have been in an accident and they replaced everything around the radiator, but knew no one would see the bottom of the radiator.

After looking at it again, I am thinking the 22 1/2" will probably work with a little sledge hammer engineering...#-o

Thanks for every ones input.
 
sireland67 said:
They are available, a little pricy, but they will fit.

http://www.usradiator.com/dodge-dart-1965-66-l6-170-225-radiator.html
Click to expand...

We have a winner! The radiator was ordered from US Radiator the first week of March, and I was told it would have to be made the following week and shipped to FLA from Cali.... three weeks later when I called, they said the parts to make it are on back order. Five weeks later when I call they say parts have arrived and it will be made that week, and painted the following with delivery the second week of April. It showed up this afternoon and two hours later, one trip to the parts store, and it was installed and went test for a test drive!

Yahoo! Just missed one of the best times of the year for cruising in Florida, but it is back together. Now I need to order the new front end kit and four wheel disc brake kit.... that may be a project I defer to my mechanic.:wack:

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and input!
 
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