Champion radiator fitment issues

[LEEVON]

Finally fitting the radiator in my '50 chevy and I am having problems, would like to see if anybody else had to make modifications. I am not opposed to cutting and fabricating at all, but for a radiator that was supposed to bolt-in this is a mess. The core support is stock. I have the three row model http://www.championradiators.com/Che...-row-1947-1954.

The first problem I have is the bottom of the radiator tank would not fit down far enough in the support. The bolt holes were a good 3-4" too high. I had to cut the front/bottom of the support just to get it to sit down where the bolt holes would line up.

The second problem is now the tank is too thick, and the bolt holes at the bottom are a good 1.25-1.5" away from the mount. I was not planning on using spacers, for one that is cheesy and for two that takes away valuable electric fan space.

I placed a call to Champion, and while they were helpful and courteous they said they have NEVER heard of anybody having to modify their 47-54 three row unit to fit. I don't buy that. My truck is no different than the rest...and if this one won't fit than nobody's will.

Anybody else have a similar problem? I'm trying to figure out if I want to waste more time on this or get something else.

[dwcsr]

Some replacement radiator are not the same on the bottom. They have a larger bottom tank and it hits just where your showing. I ran into this recently and had to cut the support so it would fit.

[Coach529]

Something seems strange. My 3 row champion bolted right in..........

[Henry50]

You might have been shipped the wrong radiator.
I have the same one in my truck, with no issues at all.

[Henry50]

Do you have a pic of the radiator?

[not2oldchevy]

Same here no problem.

[_Ogre]

henry has a point
if they claim bolt in, have them send you another with a shipping label to ship the old one back
pics would help, you may have a tf radiator

[LEEVON]

I took multiple photos and measurements and e-mailed them off to Jeff at Champion over a week ago and have not received any reply. He did say on my initial phone call that they could not take it back (purchased over 60 days ago). I understand this policy but they have not offered any product support so I think it's poor customer service to leave me with zero resolution. I tried mocking it up again and the fact is the bottom tank will not fit into the radiator support, period, without further modifcations. I examined my truck against another stock truck and there are not any noticeable differences.

I already purchased a radiator with stock dimensions from Radiators4Less.

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by LEEVON

I think this all needs to be mentioned here since Champion chose not to communicate or offer any resolution.

I took multiple photos and measurements and e-mailed them off to Jeff at Champion over a week ago and have not received any reply. He did say on my initial phone call that they could not take it back (purchased over 60 days ago) which I understand but they also have not offered any product support whatsoever. I tried mocking it up again and the fact is the bottom tank will not fit into the radiator support, period, without further modifcations. I examined my truck against another stock truck and there are not any noticeable differences.

I already purchased a radiator with stock dimensions from Radiators4Less.

That is crappy customer service. I will definitely remember this the next time I need to buy a radiator....

[Dan in Pasadena]

Hmm... I had planned on buying a Champion when I put.p mine back together. My stocker top tank is all dented up and looks like poop.

But I WON'T buy if they turn their back on a customer that can prove they bought from them and the radiator isn't as advertised - bolt-in.

[LEEVON]

I wouldn't go so far as to say I can prove anything or even that they owe me anything but it sure would have been nice to have a discussion about it because right now their radiator is a paper weight!

[LEEVON]

This is what I am replacing it with, will post pics installed.

[Dan in Pasadena]

To me that's a better looking radiator anyway. Though I will say I think that top tank looks like a Task Force tank.

[Henry50]

Can you post some pics and measurements?, to compare it to mine.