Radiator height - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

PDW HOTRODS · 01-26-2018, 01:12 AM

Did the factory offer 2 different radiator height's for 47-53 Chevy trucks? Or were they mounted in different locations? I have a 1950 1/2 ton and the stock radiator at the top is about level with the top of the core support and all pic's I have seen the top of the radiator is about 3 inches higher than the core support. I have a few extra radiators and another core support that are like whats in my truck.

**mr48chev** · 01-26-2018, 02:36 AM

Far as I know there was only one height for all Chevy AD radiators no matter what the size of the truck. Bigger trucks had much thicker cores though. Back in the late 70's the original core in my 48 crapped out and I bought the radiator out of a 2 ton GMC from Tee Pee auto wrecking and had a radiator shop put my tanks on the core and change the inlet to 1-1/2 to match the V8. The core was a lot thicker but the same height.

A lot of A trucks loose the angle iron cross piece from the radiator core when guys do back yard engine swaps and cut that bar out because they can't lift the engine to clear it. Many of those never get welded back in and that lets the radiator tank look like it sticks up higher. I think my new aluminum radiator is the same height as my old radiator or the two out of 1-1/2 tons I have.

01-26-2018, 01:12 AM	#1
PDW HOTRODS Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sutherlin Oregon Posts: 502	Radiator height Did the factory offer 2 different radiator height's for 47-53 Chevy trucks? Or were they mounted in different locations? I have a 1950 1/2 ton and the stock radiator at the top is about level with the top of the core support and all pic's I have seen the top of the radiator is about 3 inches higher than the core support. I have a few extra radiators and another core support that are like whats in my truck.

01-26-2018, 02:36 AM	#2
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,711	Re: Radiator height Far as I know there was only one height for all Chevy AD radiators no matter what the size of the truck. Bigger trucks had much thicker cores though. Back in the late 70's the original core in my 48 crapped out and I bought the radiator out of a 2 ton GMC from Tee Pee auto wrecking and had a radiator shop put my tanks on the core and change the inlet to 1-1/2 to match the V8. The core was a lot thicker but the same height. A lot of A trucks loose the angle iron cross piece from the radiator core when guys do back yard engine swaps and cut that bar out because they can't lift the engine to clear it. Many of those never get welded back in and that lets the radiator tank look like it sticks up higher. I think my new aluminum radiator is the same height as my old radiator or the two out of 1-1/2 tons I have. __________________ 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.



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