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10-17-2015, 04:06 PM | #1 |
Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Ozark, MO
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Champion radiator fitment issues
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.
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'20 Silverado Trail Boss ~ '17 Tahoe ~ '79 K15 Sierra Grande ~ '76 Blazer 2wd ~ '71 Cheyenne swb ~ '55 Pontiac Safari ~'50 3100 bagged ~ '80 Wife ~ Late model kids
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10-17-2015, 04:28 PM | #2 |
Hollister Road Co.
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Houston
Posts: 6,131
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Re: Champion radiator fitment issues
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.
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10-17-2015, 08:38 PM | #3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Post Falls, Idaho
Posts: 1,757
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Re: Champion radiator fitment issues
Something seems strange. My 3 row champion bolted right in..........
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10-17-2015, 08:42 PM | #4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Evansville In
Posts: 173
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Re: Champion radiator fitment issues
You might have been shipped the wrong radiator.
I have the same one in my truck, with no issues at all. |
10-17-2015, 08:43 PM | #5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Evansville In
Posts: 173
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Re: Champion radiator fitment issues
Do you have a pic of the radiator?
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10-19-2015, 01:04 PM | #6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: east tennessee
Posts: 158
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Re: Champion radiator fitment issues
Same here no problem.
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10-19-2015, 01:26 PM | #7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Motown
Posts: 7,680
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Re: Champion radiator fitment issues
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
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10-27-2015, 09:24 PM | #8 |
Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Ozark, MO
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Re: Champion radiator fitment issues
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.
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'20 Silverado Trail Boss ~ '17 Tahoe ~ '79 K15 Sierra Grande ~ '76 Blazer 2wd ~ '71 Cheyenne swb ~ '55 Pontiac Safari ~'50 3100 bagged ~ '80 Wife ~ Late model kids
Last edited by LEEVON; 10-27-2015 at 09:40 PM. |
10-27-2015, 09:32 PM | #9 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Post Falls, Idaho
Posts: 1,757
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Re: Champion radiator fitment issues
Quote:
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10-27-2015, 09:44 PM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Glendora, CA
Posts: 6,343
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Re: Champion radiator fitment issues
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.
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'55 Big Window Shortbed, Drive-It-&-Work-On-It slid down the "slippery slope" to a Frame-Off Rodstoration! LQ4/4l85e/C4 IFS/Mustang 8.8 rearend w/3.73's Dan's '55 Big Window "Build" - Well, Kinda! |
10-27-2015, 09:45 PM | #11 |
Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Ozark, MO
Posts: 4,888
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Re: Champion radiator fitment issues
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!
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'20 Silverado Trail Boss ~ '17 Tahoe ~ '79 K15 Sierra Grande ~ '76 Blazer 2wd ~ '71 Cheyenne swb ~ '55 Pontiac Safari ~'50 3100 bagged ~ '80 Wife ~ Late model kids
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10-27-2015, 09:47 PM | #12 |
Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Ozark, MO
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Re: Champion radiator fitment issues
This is what I am replacing it with, will post pics installed.
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'20 Silverado Trail Boss ~ '17 Tahoe ~ '79 K15 Sierra Grande ~ '76 Blazer 2wd ~ '71 Cheyenne swb ~ '55 Pontiac Safari ~'50 3100 bagged ~ '80 Wife ~ Late model kids
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10-27-2015, 09:49 PM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Glendora, CA
Posts: 6,343
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Re: Champion radiator fitment issues
To me that's a better looking radiator anyway. Though I will say I think that top tank looks like a Task Force tank.
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'55 Big Window Shortbed, Drive-It-&-Work-On-It slid down the "slippery slope" to a Frame-Off Rodstoration! LQ4/4l85e/C4 IFS/Mustang 8.8 rearend w/3.73's Dan's '55 Big Window "Build" - Well, Kinda! |
10-28-2015, 06:37 PM | #14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Evansville In
Posts: 173
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Re: Champion radiator fitment issues
Can you post some pics and measurements?, to compare it to mine.
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