Post pics of your radiator please!

[SulphurDave]

Just went and bought a new radiator today from the local parts house and from the time I bought it looked like junk but went to all of the local stores and they were all the same. Gave them all the same info. 84 Chevy 350 block 2wd Auto maximum cooling. Anyway I get home to put it in and it's just too small. It's not even long enough for the top support brackets to fit within it. Plus it's extremely narrow. Looks like it should be in a 1980 Toyota pickup. Highly unsatisfied with it. I don't have anything to compare it to because I got the truck back from the paint shop with an empty engine bay. So what should I be running as far as o.e.? Let's see some pics so I can compare. Thanks!

[84slopwaggin]

What do you have 2 or 3 row? I bought the 4 row myself. I haven't installed it, because I don't have the proper upper mounting brackets. You could probably ask for the 3 row it's a direct replacement with much better cooling. If I can't find the upper brackets I'm gonna sell my 4 row and get a 3 row. Sorry, I don't have any pics.

[SulphurDave]

haha.. 1 row maybe? 1/2 a row? the core is only like 1" thick. parts store guys tell me "yea thats the direct replacement o.e. radiator" i think it's bs myself. hell the factory top bracket looks like it could fit 2 of them radiators under it.

[Slonaker]

Look on the autozone website. They list several part numbers that you can then look up on the manufacturer's website. All of my local stores had it under he same part number regardless of manufacturer, so they are probably the same way where you are.

I went through something similar recently, and had to do all the legwork myself because the people at autozone were idiots. You would think it would be easy since I was replacing it under warranty, but they kept trying to replace it with a radiator that was different (smaller) than the one I oiginally bought 5 years ago. It reminded me why I never buy anything from them any more.

They also have a book in the store that lists all of the part numbers with the sizes, number of rows, etc., but it is easier to get the info off the internet.

I'm running part number 433716. It is the copper radiator, not the aluminum one with the plastic tanks. It was a direct bolt-in for the 2 row that originally came with my 305. It has the same tanks, spaced the same distance apart, but with a thicker core. It was an upgrade compared to what it replaced, and cheaper than the two row for some reason.

They list it as the standard radiator for a 350. Be forewarned that some of their boxes had 2 row radiators, and some had the correct 3 rows all under the same part number.

BTW, Jegs and Summit both list aluminum heavy duty aftermarket radiators for our trucks now, but they will cost you more.

Slonaker

Here's mine. It says that it is plastic and aluminum, but that is incorrect. You should be able to look up part numbers from the Autozone site there.

http://webbase.transpro.com/catalog.php?partnum=433716

They (the transpro website) show these numbers for your truck:

433711 M/T; w/ Heavy Duty Cooling; w/ Air Conditioning; w/ Maximum Cooling

433716 A/T; Plastic Tanks Aluminum Core; w/ Heavy Duty Cooling; w/ Air Conditioning; w/ Maximum Cooling

433839 M/T; w/ Standard Cooling

433840 A/T; Plastic Tank Aluminum Core; w/ Standard Cooling

436016 Heatbuster Extreme Service

438716 A/T; Brass Tanks Copper Brass Core; w/ Heavy Duty Cooling; w/ Air Conditioning; w/ Maximum Cooling

I found by looking up he specs on the radiators that some of them wouldn't actually fit my brackets and fan shroud even though they were listed as correct replacements for my truck. That makes no sense. I was disappointed because I wanted a 4 row heatbuster. Oh well...

Do I win the award for the longest post?

[SulphurDave]

Originally Posted by Slonaker

Do I win the award for the longest post?

no but I give you an award for a very helpful post. thanks!

[SulphurDave]

This looks exactly like the one I bought same brand and everything. Ready-Rad. It's just not long enough for the support brackets and I know for a fact the width of the core is not 1 5/8" more like 1".

[84 400]

i no this may sound like a bad idea but have you looked in local salvage yards? i was in one yesterday and found a brand new radiatior sittting in a rotted suburban. You could tell they just replaced the rad. BTW in my 84 with the HO400 in it i am currently running a rad. out of a Comaro. I have been wanting to get the right one for some time now even though this one works great. i should get a pic the thing is painted floresant green !

[Slonaker]

Originally Posted by SulphurDave

This looks exactly like the one I bought same brand and everything. Ready-Rad. It's just not long enough for the support brackets and I know for a fact the width of the core is not 1 5/8" more like 1".

It sounds like you got the two row version like my 305 had. That was what was in most of the boxes at Auto Zone under the 3 row part number, but I managed to find one that had a 3 row in it. It looks like the manufacturer is trying to pull a fast one and use the 2 row version for the 2 row and 3 row part numbers. It has a really thin core that I don't think would be able to cool my engine with the A/C on. Their book and website listed my part number as a 3 row, but that's not what they were putting in the boxes.

You don't have the radiator that came out to compare to, right? Maybe you can bolt your brackets in place and measure between the rubber isolators in them. That will tell you the width of the core, and you might be able to look up the specs (on the trans pro website) on the part numbers I put in the post above and match it up.

Especially look at the "heatbuster" or whatever they called them. They all had a core wider than mine. You might also look up part numbers for suburbans and 3/4 or 1 ton trucks since they probably would have used bigger radiators.

AZ had one they tried to swap mine out for that was for a Suburban. At first they were insisting that I replace my 3 row with a 2 row under warranty. After I complained to the management they were going to substitute the giant Suburban one. It was a four row that was about 6 inches wider than mine. If I had the right brackets and shroud for it, it would be in my truck right now.

Slonaker

[Prerunner1982]

Go to AutoZone and ask for a radiator for a 84 1ton with 454, this should be the 4core.. The local dealership will have the upper mounting plate for the 4 core as well as new rubber.. should only cost about $150 give or take... I will look for pics of mine.. they should be on here.

[Prerunner1982]

Here ya go!

[SulphurDave]

I ended up bringing that toy radiator back to the store and got my money back. I think I might save up some more for a big polished aluminum radiator. something like this:

[84 400]

oooo

[gchemist]

Just buy a 454 aluminum radiator. I did.
If I find a picture I'll post it.

[84slopwaggin]

I bet sulphurdave has 4 row brackets. I recently replace a 2 row in my 76 malibu with 3 row and it was a direct replacement. Two and three row have same dimensions I believe, but just with the added row. You should probably ask for the HEATBUSTER. It says on the box my 4 row came in that 6016 replaces 1762 if that helps. Your local radiator shop should be more helpful with this matter.

[SulphurDave]

Originally Posted by 84slopwaggin

I bet sulphurdave has 4 row brackets.

Well I was gonna take a pic of them but my camera just broke. Apparently they don't work after dropping them on the floor. But anyway the rubber peice under the bracket is 2 1/4" where it holds the top of the radiator and the total length of the bracket is 5". The space between the 2 brackets from the outside of both is 31 1/2" and then there's the other holes on the driver's side that you can make it even wider than that. I mean these are just the factory brackets that came on the truck with a 305 originally. I'll see if I can find some pics.

[SulphurDave]

The only pic I found was of my son working on the motor haha but you can see the bracket.

[cliffsta]

Hey, hope you get it figured out! My old man replaced the radiator in my truck back when he drove it, replaced the original (i assume 2 core) with a honkering huge radiator. Pretty much you can make as big of a radiator fit as you can think of. Even running the A/C in the summer it doesn't hit the 1/4 mark on the temp gauge.

And a big hello from up in Pineville!

[Prerunner1982]

The 4 core brackets is only a single piece that runs all the way across. (see picture I posted above)

[ocbaud]

Originally Posted by Prerunner1982

The 4 core brackets is only a single piece that runs all the way across. (see picture I posted above)

is that a 4core that you posted jon? how much did it run you? i'm thinking about some cooling upgrades. my stock 2core isnt very good?

[beaterC10]

Originally Posted by SulphurDave

The only pic I found was of my son working on the motor haha but you can see the bracket.

Those brackets look like the ones for a three row radiator. I was able to get the correct replacement by asking for a rad for HD cooling or a small block with AC. Your upper shroud should have threaded bosses across the top to allow attachment of the a/c lines.

[Prerunner1982]

Originally Posted by ocbaud

is that a 4core that you posted jon? how much did it run you? i'm thinking about some cooling upgrades. my stock 2core isnt very good?

yes sir it is..

Originally Posted by Prerunner1982

Go to AutoZone and ask for a radiator for a 84 1ton with 454, this should be the 4core.. The local dealership will have the upper mounting plate for the 4 core as well as new rubber.. should only cost about $150 give or take... I will look for pics of mine.. they should be on here.

[SulphurDave]

Originally Posted by beaterC10

Those brackets look like the ones for a three row radiator. I was able to get the correct replacement by asking for a rad for HD cooling or a small block with AC. Your upper shroud should have threaded bosses across the top to allow attachment of the a/c lines.

I'm not running A/C but I told them I wanted the heavy duty cooling w/ A/C so that I would end up with a nice radiator and that's what they gave me. Not just Auto Zone but Napa, Advanced they all showed me the same one... that puny little Ready-Rad brand. A toy radiator that looked like it should be in a 1972 Ford Courier. The core was maybe an inch thick I mean c'mon.

[Slonaker]

When I was looking at them at Auto Zone, they listed about 5 or 6 options. I think the trick is to look at each of them until you find what you want.

Slonaker

[PHOENIX]

I got mine from Napa, its a Modine with lifetime warranty.
Its a 4-core. I had one leak after about 1-year, went and got a brand new.
Been fine since. Gotta love the life-time warranty and its not a junk rad either.
I paid around $220 I think for it. Not real sure, this was years ago.

I'm pretty sure Napa's part number is: NR 730
http://www.napaonline.com/masterpage...ption=Radiator

"
Comments:Heater return connection on R.H. tank.
Core Size:28 3/8" x 18 1/2" x 2 5/8" (4 Row)
Features & Benefits:Manufactured with Industry leading quality components using world class process controls insuring durability and drop in fit.
Inlet Connector Size:1 5/16" or 1 9/16" Left
Inlet Header Size:3 1/2" x 20 5/8"
Make:GM
Oil Cooler:8 1/2" (5 Plate)
Outlet Connector Size:1 9/16" Right
Outlet Header Size:3 1/2" x 20 5/8"
Type of Mount:Saddle Mount
"

[SulphurDave]

So I'm assuming I can't make a 4 core work with my stock brackets? I could have gotten a brand new 4 core for a little over 2 bills today but passed it up because I didn't think my brackets would hold it.