Radiator suggestions ?

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I'm having a real monster of a time finding a replacement radiator for my 87 V2500. I'd like to find an original replacement but barring that what's good ? Spectra ? ADI ? OSC ? Liland all aluminum ? Any advice or experience would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance !

[mongocanfly]

Welcome...
doubtful you'll find a new OEM or nos radiator...I got mine at oreillys... it's the aluminum one they sell...just over 100bucks....works great..put alot of miles on it with no issues....with the shroud on it nobody sees it anyway

[kipps]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Welcome...
doubtful you'll find a new OEM or nos radiator...I got mine at oreillys... it's the aluminum one they sell...just over 100bucks....works great..put alot of miles on it with no issues....with the shroud on it nobody sees it anyway

I did the same with a '87 v20. Haven't used it enough to speak, though.

[Bandit130]

Welcome

[Tom]

I got the biggest oem style lifetime warranty radiator I could from autozone so I can swap it anywhere I take a trip to. Its was like $100-125. I can no longer heat the truck above its thermostat rated temp even sitting on black freeway traffic jams in 117* heat in the summer.

[Justins76]

I got a big block radiator with a lifetime warranty from O'Reilly. Aluminum with plastic side tanks. Had it about 7 years before it started leaking where the tanks meet the core. Swapped it out a few months back under warranty. This new radiator does not have a drain valve on it and didn't fit exactly the same as the previous one. So far, it hasnt leaked it.

[Wgesnerjr]

Years ago I worked at a shop while putting myself through college. The shop had an account at 1-800-radiator. Used them to get a new copper/brass radiator for our Caprice Station Wagon. Worked out well and price wasn't too bad.

Just looked up my 85 and they showed both the aluminum/plastic as well as the metal options.

https://www.radiator.com/#

[Mattchu60]

I just replaced my aluminum/plastic radiator I installed a few years ago this past weekend - I got mine from Advance Auto. Same situation as mentioned above, it started leaking where the tanks meet the core. The previously installed radiator had a drain and was stock height, the replacement has no drain and also is around 1/4-1/2" taller. Same part number so they must have updated the design. It still fit ok after stacking a few washers under the hold downs and was a free replacement.

I have been using the 19" tall radiators. I see they sell a 17" tall as well, but not sure how that would fit in the core support as the hold downs would need to be much lower.

[tucsonjwt]

I got a Spectra aluminum/plastic radiator from AutoZone a several years ago for about $100 with a 20% off sale and free shipping. Modern aftermarket copper/brass radiators are ridiculously expensive now and they don't hold up as well as the old OEM radiators. My Spectra radiator is only 2 core but thicker than normal 2 cores. It has no problem cooling my 454 in 115 degree desert heat. It was the one listed by Spectra for a big block Chevy truck.

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So I was doing some research on the newer style radiators (the ones with the plastic tanks) and according to this video they can be rebuilt at home ! Cool huh ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acaRwmmfapA

I ordered and received a radiator from one of the local chain stores. It arrived today... LOLOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When I get my phone repaired I'm going to show off...

[mongocanfly]

My time is worth more than the 100bucks the new one cost....then you better hope it dont leak when you get done...on top of that the new one I bought has a lifetime warranty....so all I gotta do I swap it at the store for a brand-r-new one... so I'll pass on the DIY cleaning job...and I dont think that's the way mine was put together either, but I'd have to go look...

[straight6chevyguy]

Did you get your phone fixed yet?
I would love to see some pic's of your truck!