V8 radiator with an I6 engine.

[Martin64]

Anyone done this?

[aerotruk63]

Could you be more specific as to your query? A V8 rad might have another row of cooling fins but I can't see it being detrimental in front of a six.

[72BlckButy]

[Martin64]

Well I'm considering a swap to a V-8 and the radiator I have in the truck is a smaller radiator for the I-6 as it's stock and I'm running the stock 230. At this point it's rotten and plugging up badly and needs to be replaced. The radiator for the V-8 in our trucks is larger. So in anticipation of swapping to a V-8 (more than likely a crate motor) I'd like to just put in the larger radiator now and not have the extra parts hanging in the garage later nor the added expense of another radiator.

[aerotruk63]

Sounds good. I found in my 63 Service Bulletins that GM authorized dealers to step up to a 19" fan for clients who were complaining of running hot with the 230 six.

[2manyprojects]

I put a new 66 327 automatic radiator in my 65 6cyl panel. It was a bolt in from what I remember.

[Martin64]

Thanks for the confirmation guys. I didn't think it would be a problem but it's always good to get other views.

An added reason for going with the larger radiator is it's actually cheaper than the smaller one. The big one is $178 (and up depending on the parts source) and the stock one is $215 (and up).

Again, thanks!

[protrash64]

If you're using stock parts, you may need the wider, upper radiator support......or fab one as usual!!

[2manyprojects]

On mine the tank was the same it just had 4 cores instead of 2. I can go measure it if you want? I still have the truck with the same radiator.

[jonzcustomshop]

I had heard, that 63-65 they used the little tiny radiator with the 230, and then in 66 they used the big rad in all the trucks, which makes sense, my 66 with a 230 has the big rad, and my 63, and 64 both have the small one.

[Russ65C10]

I'll second that one. My 66 that my dad bought new with 250 inline has the same exact radiator as my 65 with a 283.

[Sixxer]

Maybe LILRED66 will chime in and give his expert answer but yes it can be done. I walked through the modifications today with him today actually... It seems fairly straight forward, you will need a v8 radiator, lower radiator mounts and upper radiator mounts, possibly two new radiator hoses and if you have a mechanical fan you will also need a cooling fan extender and some misc surround rubber to direct airflow correctly into the radiator. I will be doing this in the future because I'm adding A/C and don't feel comfortable with the cooling power of the factory inline 6 radiator.

[LILRED66]

Hey Matt, thanks for the vine. It was good chatting with you this afternoon. Let me know how things work out on the brakes and if you can get the '64 to the shop. I will help you get the small radiator swapped over to the 3 or 4 core V8 radiator, shroud & saddles. Take care and good to see you posting.

[Martin64]

Well that's what I'm finding out, same radiator height and width just more rows. I was thinking it was dimensionally larger, not just thicker.

Has anyone gone with an aftermarket "universal" and, if so, which one?