Well a car rad work in my 59 truck? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

HiRMKin · 08-04-2010, 01:07 PM

I have a chance to buy a NOS rad that is made for a 55 Chevy car. Are the rads in those days the same between cars and trucks.

bobinbc · 08-04-2010, 04:50 PM

The brackets are different between car and truck. You could possibly adapt it. I've heard that the truck rad is taller too.

I've been looking for a rad for my 57 and have come across a good deal. They are aluminum with a formed top tank that looks just like the original, 2 rows of 1" tubes, and a proper trans cooler in the bottom tank. The best part is the top tank is polished for no extra charge. Here's a pic of their 55-57 car rad, the truck one will have the proper brackets for truck.

The price is excellent and I've talked to them regarding a group buy for members of the forum for an even better deal. I'll post details in a seperate thread as soon as I found out if it's ok to do so. Sorry for the hijack, thought I should let you know.

Bob

Tchia65 · 08-04-2010, 05:20 PM

I'd be really interested in one of those for my 58. Can I get more info?

HiRMKin · 08-04-2010, 05:58 PM

Where are they made?

bobinbc · 08-05-2010, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiRMKin

Where are they made?

I asked this question along with a couple others, this is the reply I got.

"Bob,

The FPI is 15, the fin height is 11/32" and they are made here in our shop.

Mike
- engineered-products"
(Chicago, Il )

HiRMKin
Here are some pics I pulled off the net to show the difference between car and truck. This is not the rad I'm going with, the one I'm going to use has stock looking tanks like in my earlier post above.

Truck rad brackets

Car rad brackets

The car rad:Core Dimensions: 17 1/4" high x 21 1/2" wide
Overall Dimensions: 23" high x 23 1/2" wide (incl brackets)

truck rad :Core Dimensions: 20" high x 21 1/2" wide
Overall Dimensions: 25" high x 26 1/2" wide (incl brackets)

The pics are of aftermarket aluminum rads but you can see generally the difference between the brackets.
The other thing is whether your engine is stock or not. If stock and the rad is a smokin' deal then I would adapt the car rad even though it's 2 inches shorter, unless I was doing a resto. Just my .02

OrrieG · 08-05-2010, 01:14 PM

Car has 23% less cooling area too. I went the opposite way, found a big truck radiator that is a little wider and 1" thicker than 1/2-1 ton ones, mounts to stock brackets.

raycow · 08-05-2010, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiRMKin

Are the rads in those days the same between cars and trucks.

No, they are quite a bit different. You can make the car radiator work, but you will never convince anyone it is stock. Speaking for myself, I would get it if the price is right, because my time is always cheaper than my money.

Ray

HiRMKin · 08-05-2010, 08:56 AM

Ray what the difference is between them?

raycow · 08-05-2010, 10:17 AM

The brackets, like bobinbc said. But it will work, if you don't mind it not looking stock. On the other hand, if they are close in price, I would get the right one for the truck. How much $ difference are we talking about here?

Ray

HiRMKin · 08-05-2010, 01:41 PM

Bobinbc, your info is what I found as well, just had to confirm I was right. I'm going to pass on the rad as I will be running a sbc 406. I'm going to need all the cooling I can get.
Great info guys. Thanks

08-04-2010, 01:07 PM	#1
HiRMKin Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Calgary Posts: 95	Well a car rad work in my 59 truck? I have a chance to buy a NOS rad that is made for a 55 Chevy car. Are the rads in those days the same between cars and trucks.

08-04-2010, 04:50 PM	#2
bobinbc Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Vancouver Island, Courtenay B.C. CANADA Posts: 576	Re: Well a car rad work in my 59 truck? The brackets are different between car and truck. You could possibly adapt it. I've heard that the truck rad is taller too. I've been looking for a rad for my 57 and have come across a good deal. They are aluminum with a formed top tank that looks just like the original, 2 rows of 1" tubes, and a proper trans cooler in the bottom tank. The best part is the top tank is polished for no extra charge. Here's a pic of their 55-57 car rad, the truck one will have the proper brackets for truck. The price is excellent and I've talked to them regarding a group buy for members of the forum for an even better deal. I'll post details in a seperate thread as soon as I found out if it's ok to do so. Sorry for the hijack, thought I should let you know. Bob __________________ 1962 Chevy blue SBFS 1957 Chevy yellow SBSS 1956 GMC red SBSS Nov 2017 ToTM https://www.facebook.com/groups/Cana...geChevyTrucks/ Last edited by bobinbc; 08-04-2010 at 04:52 PM.

08-04-2010, 05:20 PM	#3
Tchia65 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 195	Re: Well a car rad work in my 59 truck? I'd be really interested in one of those for my 58. Can I get more info? __________________ 1958 Fleetside shortbox 1965 Malibu SS 1970 Camaro RS 1972 Malibu wagon

08-04-2010, 05:58 PM	#4
HiRMKin Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Calgary Posts: 95	Re: Well a car rad work in my 59 truck? Where are they made?

08-05-2010, 01:14 PM	#6
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	Re: Well a car rad work in my 59 truck? Car has 23% less cooling area too. I went the opposite way, found a big truck radiator that is a little wider and 1" thicker than 1/2-1 ton ones, mounts to stock brackets. __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project

08-05-2010, 08:56 AM	#8
HiRMKin Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Calgary Posts: 95	Re: Well a car rad work in my 59 truck? Ray what the difference is between them?

08-05-2010, 10:17 AM	#9
raycow Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Francisco, CA USA Posts: 2,454	Re: Well a car rad work in my 59 truck? The brackets, like bobinbc said. But it will work, if you don't mind it not looking stock. On the other hand, if they are close in price, I would get the right one for the truck. How much $ difference are we talking about here? Ray

08-05-2010, 01:41 PM	#10
HiRMKin Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Calgary Posts: 95	Re: Well a car rad work in my 59 truck? Bobinbc, your info is what I found as well, just had to confirm I was right. I'm going to pass on the rad as I will be running a sbc 406. I'm going to need all the cooling I can get. Great info guys. Thanks



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