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11-08-2015, 10:36 PM | #1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Richland, WA
Posts: 85
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Radiator didn't fit quite right
I know this is pretty minimal compared to some of the things I see in here, but thought I would put it out there. My old 67 Chev longbox (283 with a turbo 400) has done quite a bit of work for me (on my days off) through the last summer. It's been running warm for a while now, especially on hot days or when I'm hauling a load of dirt or a trailer with some concrete. I've just taken it easy when I see the temp gauge climbing and figured I would replace or repair the radiator. The radiator is the 48 year old original, so it has every right to be tired. I spoke with a local radiator guy and he thought he could 'rod it out' and give it a new lease on life. He figured cost would be $125-$150 for the rodding out which seemed very reasonable as long as it did the job and to do a recore would be about $400. Ouch!
I have heard good things here about the way the Spectra 369 radiator fits and considering the inexpensive price (about $165 at Rockauto), I thought I would give it a try. Got the radiator in and went to put it on. It doesn't quite fit. The rubber holders that fit inside the upper and lower mounting brackets won't fit over the larger flanges on the new radiator. We tried taking the rubber mounts completely out and it would fit, but that sure didn't seem right and I was pretty reluctant to start carving on these rubber mounts to make it fit. My thought is to send the radiator back to Rock auto and to do the work on my original radiator, but thought I would see if anyone else here has had this problem with the Spectra? Is there a real easy fix? Inexpensive mounting brackets that would fit? I know there are some other radiator vendors on the board here and has anyone tried their products and had a true fit without carving up their mounts? I took a couple of pictures to show what I mean on this. (I had already put the new radiator back in the box so it's a little tougher to see.) All advice appreciated! |
11-08-2015, 11:54 PM | #2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Fresno, ca
Posts: 303
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Re: Radiator didn't fit quite right
I had that problem when I put in my champion radiator I took the rubber out and slit a hose in half down the middle, fit it in the bracket, trimmed it so it fit in good and it fits like a charm now
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1972 gmc c15 short bed... Sold 1970 chevy custom camper patina daily driver |
11-09-2015, 08:48 AM | #3 |
C10 Collector
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Posts: 417
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Re: Radiator didn't fit quite right
There are two different style radiator mounts. 2-core and 4-core. Some vendors call the 4-core the HD mounts. They are wider, and likely what you need here.
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///Ryan 1972 Chevy C-10-Bagged, Blown LT1, 700r4, Suicide Doors 1967 GMC- SC & Cam'd 4.8, built 4l80, 3200 stall, posi, 4.10 1967 Chevy LWB- 454 and patina 1971 Blazer - Rusty 1968 Crewcab project |
11-09-2015, 09:48 AM | #4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Mesa AZ (Near Phoenix)
Posts: 2,303
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Re: Radiator didn't fit quite right
I had the same issue. Modified my brackets and fits like a glove now.
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"Life is too short to drive a boring vehicle". Later, Wayne |
11-19-2015, 01:53 AM | #5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Richland, WA
Posts: 85
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Re: Radiator didn't fit quite right
Thanks everyone for the replies. They helped!
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