82 truck radiator in a 53 3100? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

fisherman420 · 04-13-2015, 11:53 PM

I recently purchased a 53 truck with Camaro front clip and 12bolt rear it just needed a motor and trans. I got a running 350 and th400 complete with radiator from an 82 truck for cheap and am wondering if anyone has used the larger radiator from such a truck in their 47-53? Obviously I will need to do some rad support modifications but I would like to use the larger rad that came with the 82 for cooling and it has the trans cooler lines already. There is no radiator cross member installed on the Camaro clip.

**mr48chev** · 04-14-2015, 12:23 AM

You would have to rework the inner fenders so you have room to put it in there but if you are up to that it should work. I think it would depend more on what your skills are to finish things off to make it look right when you are done and not a cobbled together mess. I've seen several of both with cross flow radiators.

fisherman420 · 04-14-2015, 08:19 PM

Thanks mr48, I was worried about inner fender clearance. I will most likely use the stock 53 radiator and support to avoid creating more work than necessary and run an auxiliary trans cooler. If cooling becomes a problem with the stock 53 rad I will run an electric fan or get a new stock style aluminum rad and only be out a couple hundred bucks

04-13-2015, 11:53 PM	#1
fisherman420 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Alberta Canada Posts: 93	82 truck radiator in a 53 3100? I recently purchased a 53 truck with Camaro front clip and 12bolt rear it just needed a motor and trans. I got a running 350 and th400 complete with radiator from an 82 truck for cheap and am wondering if anyone has used the larger radiator from such a truck in their 47-53? Obviously I will need to do some rad support modifications but I would like to use the larger rad that came with the 82 for cooling and it has the trans cooler lines already. There is no radiator cross member installed on the Camaro clip.

04-14-2015, 12:23 AM	#2
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,711	Re: 82 truck radiator in a 53 3100? You would have to rework the inner fenders so you have room to put it in there but if you are up to that it should work. I think it would depend more on what your skills are to finish things off to make it look right when you are done and not a cobbled together mess. I've seen several of both with cross flow radiators. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

04-14-2015, 08:19 PM	#3
fisherman420 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Alberta Canada Posts: 93	Re: 82 truck radiator in a 53 3100? Thanks mr48, I was worried about inner fender clearance. I will most likely use the stock 53 radiator and support to avoid creating more work than necessary and run an auxiliary trans cooler. If cooling becomes a problem with the stock 53 rad I will run an electric fan or get a new stock style aluminum rad and only be out a couple hundred bucks



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