65 GMC Radiator Project - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Adriangz · 02-16-2018, 02:56 PM

Good day all, I'm new to this forum and would appreciate some feedback.

I have a 65 GMC 1/2 ton which I just picked up. Stock motor is long gone, but it it did come with a 305 that appears to be out of an early 80s camaro or caprice. Stock radiator also long gone so I bought a rad off of a 62 V8 Chevy truck. Using the current set-up the new rad sits over 6 inches above the core support. Read some previous posts here and I figure I could relocate the lower cross-member to drop the rad about 3 inches. Apart from this I need the rad to drop in a bit between the edges of the frame. Otherwise I need cut about 3/4" off the frame - "c" notches basically on each side.

I thought that GMC and Chevy were pretty much the same apart from the motors and other smaller details.

Am I doing too much here?

forestb · 02-16-2018, 05:21 PM

Sorry Adrian I thought it would be much easier.

Adriangz · 02-16-2018, 05:45 PM

Hey Forest, It's cool. I like the radiator. I'll make it happen somehow.

raidmagic · 02-16-2018, 05:36 PM

My truck has been notched by someone in the past. I'm guessing they ran into the same issue you did. I am swapping in an aluminum radiator when I do my V8 swap so I will fix the frame at that time but there are no ill effects of notching the frame horns. You can tell this has been this way for a long time.

Adriangz · 02-16-2018, 05:47 PM

Thanks raidmagic. I'm not too far off then.

**PGSigns** · 02-16-2018, 06:36 PM

It is cool but wont work. You are going to need a 63 to 66 radiator and the brackets for it make it fit correctly. You have the correct lower mount.
Jimmy

**Captainfab** · 02-17-2018, 12:32 AM

The '62-'62 radiators mount differently than the '63-'66 radiators. You will have to remove that radiator crossmember to be able to use that radiator. And then you are lacking some support in the front of your frame where it is needed at the steering box.

Adriangz · 02-17-2018, 11:19 AM

PGSigns and Captainfab: Thank you for your responses and guidance.

61K10 · 02-17-2018, 02:12 PM

As the captian said it bolts to the radiator support (the holes should be there) It does not sit in the mounts you show. The 60-62's don't have the bottom mounts and the cross-member they are mounted on. remove the bottom mounts and it should fit.

02-16-2018, 02:56 PM	#1
Adriangz Registered User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Sylmar, CA Posts: 4	65 GMC Radiator Project Good day all, I'm new to this forum and would appreciate some feedback. I have a 65 GMC 1/2 ton which I just picked up. Stock motor is long gone, but it it did come with a 305 that appears to be out of an early 80s camaro or caprice. Stock radiator also long gone so I bought a rad off of a 62 V8 Chevy truck. Using the current set-up the new rad sits over 6 inches above the core support. Read some previous posts here and I figure I could relocate the lower cross-member to drop the rad about 3 inches. Apart from this I need the rad to drop in a bit between the edges of the frame. Otherwise I need cut about 3/4" off the frame - "c" notches basically on each side. I thought that GMC and Chevy were pretty much the same apart from the motors and other smaller details. Am I doing too much here? Attached Images

02-16-2018, 05:21 PM	#2
forestb Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 3,619	Re: 65 GMC Radiator Project Sorry Adrian I thought it would be much easier.

02-16-2018, 05:45 PM	#3
Adriangz Registered User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Sylmar, CA Posts: 4	Re: 65 GMC Radiator Project Hey Forest, It's cool. I like the radiator. I'll make it happen somehow.

02-16-2018, 05:36 PM	#4
raidmagic Registered User Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Tampa, Fl. Posts: 426	Re: 65 GMC Radiator Project My truck has been notched by someone in the past. I'm guessing they ran into the same issue you did. I am swapping in an aluminum radiator when I do my V8 swap so I will fix the frame at that time but there are no ill effects of notching the frame horns. You can tell this has been this way for a long time.

02-16-2018, 05:47 PM	#5
Adriangz Registered User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Sylmar, CA Posts: 4	Re: 65 GMC Radiator Project Thanks raidmagic. I'm not too far off then.

02-16-2018, 06:36 PM	#6
PGSigns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Hayes Va Posts: 4,569	Re: 65 GMC Radiator Project It is cool but wont work. You are going to need a 63 to 66 radiator and the brackets for it make it fit correctly. You have the correct lower mount. Jimmy __________________ 60 to 66 Chevy and GMC window decals http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=661131 Good friends, good food and a hotrod what else do you need? 1966 BBW long fleet Daily driver 1965 BBW short fleet Sold and going to a good home 1965 Suburban 2003 3500 Duramax 2005 Ultra Classic

02-17-2018, 12:32 AM	#7
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,252	Re: 65 GMC Radiator Project The '62-'62 radiators mount differently than the '63-'66 radiators. You will have to remove that radiator crossmember to be able to use that radiator. And then you are lacking some support in the front of your frame where it is needed at the steering box. __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE

02-17-2018, 11:19 AM	#8
Adriangz Registered User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Sylmar, CA Posts: 4	Re: 65 GMC Radiator Project PGSigns and Captainfab: Thank you for your responses and guidance.

02-17-2018, 02:12 PM	#9
61K10 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: pleasant valley--placerville ca Posts: 3,039	Re: 65 GMC Radiator Project As the captian said it bolts to the radiator support (the holes should be there) It does not sit in the mounts you show. The 60-62's don't have the bottom mounts and the cross-member they are mounted on. remove the bottom mounts and it should fit. __________________ 1961 chevy K10 my build is------------61K10 build

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