Champion radiator fitment.

[funkatation]

I bought a 4 core champion to replace my original 4 core copper unit. The radiator isn't tall enough by an inch or so for the bracket to hold it. Has anyone else seen this before? I picked up a different bracket ( mounts on side of core support instead of top) and it's too tall. Any ideas?

[ratskin]

I cut a couple of strips from a thong sole and wrapped them over the top. They're under the cover and out of sight. Nice how they call it "exact" fit.

[1970pelle]

I made a new aluminum top mount, that mine in place.


Ken

[pistonbroke800]

I got a piece of stainless bent to fit snug over the top of it and the rad support. I think it looks better than it did from the factory

[Hardworkinguy]

I put a Champion radiator in my '66 GMC. I had to modify both upper and lower saddles because the radiator tanks are much wider. They claimed exact fit,too.

The fittings for the trans. cooler are so tight to the lower saddles that I couldn't use them,which was OK with me because it already had a large auxiliary cooler and didn't use the cooler in the old rad. anyway. I would have sent it back if I actually needed that cooler to function.

My truck is a rolling restoration,and I put about 200 miles on it last summer. A couple weeks after I put it in the barn for the winter,I found a puddle of antifreeze on the floor. Champion radiator is leaking from one of the tubes,about 3 inches below the top tank.

I'm not impressed.

[Jabes1]

I bought a Champion Radiator a few years back and haven't had any issues with it. I didn't buy the 4 core though. I purchased a two core for a 67-72 and it fits perfectly like a glove. I didnt have to modify anything and I haven't had any cooling issues with it either. Are you guys buying a 4 core for this particular body style? There's a few pictures in my build thread of it installed.

[funkatation]

I did buy a 4 core and its replacing a 4 core. When I called them, they said I had a rare radiator support that was used that had a 21" core instead of 19". I am getting a different core support since mine is rusted out so we will see if its right. It's from a 1973 Chevy. Mine is a 74 Sierra.

[Hardworkinguy]

My '66 had a 2 core stock radiator and had a 454 installed. I just wanted maximum cooling capacity. I'm not upset that it wasn't an "exact fit",I fixed that,but I am upset that it leaks.

[funkatation]

They have a lifetime warranty will they not replace it?

[Hardworkinguy]

I will. It is still trapped in the barn at the present.

[RodsGreen10]

My champion fit with no issue. I did measure my original rad before I ordered and made sure I got the correct one. But I have a 3 core.

[funkatation]

Did you get the 19"? Gives me some hope my new core support will fix my issue.

[RodsGreen10]

Originally Posted by funkatation

Did you get the 19"? Gives me some hope my new core support will fix my issue.

Funk I got the CC161. Fit like a glove. Here are the specs 3 row.

Core Size: 17" tall x 28.25" wide x 2" thick; Total Size: 18.63" tall (19” with cap) x 33" wide; CC161; Chevy Truck All Aluminum Radiator 1973-1987, Champion Cooling Systems radiator.