The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop KKS Radiator in 1950 3100

It's been a really long time since I've been on here mainly because my truck has been together and running for the past few years. Well, this summer my original radiator gave up the good fight. So I had to replace it and decided to go with a less expensive KKS aluminum radiator from ebay. It arrived yesterday and I decided to toss it in this morning. Turns out it doesn't fit and I'm slightly frustrated. The way the mounting bracket is welded onto the radiator, it sits back towards the engine by at least and inch or two so I'm running into the fan.

Does anyone have experience with KKS radiators or any other additional information that I'm missing here? Is this the correct radiator? Would a later model radiator sit further back than the 1950?

Thanks for any help. I'd post pictures but can't figure out webshots after taking several years off.

RedGreen,

I purchased my aluminum radiator from Auto City Classics in Minnesota. After I received it I found out it came from KKS. Haven't tried to install it yet. Took the measurements from my old original radiator and everything seemed to line up. Hoping I don't run into the same problem. Where is the fitment issue? I'm installing the radiator I got through ACC from KKS in a 1949 Chevrolet 3100 1/2 ton. Have you checked your motor mounts? Maybe the engine has moved forward if the motor mounts are breaking down? Just a thought.

Tim

Chevy radiators mount on the rear of the frame, GMC mount in the middle.

EdPruss is right. The radiator mounts on the rear of the frame and then it's offset towards the front by an inch so the radiator sits in the middle of the frame. The new radiator I bought has the mounting flange in the middle of the radiator.

Fixit1958, I'm curious if you have the same setup in your truck. What type of fan arrangement do you have? I'm thinking I could leave the fan off and install an electric pusher fan but really don't want to go this route.

RedGreen,

I have the stock set-up in my '49. 216 cu.in. with stock water pump and fan. As I said, I have not yet installed the KKS radiator, but I will be taking on that task real soon. I will let you know if I run into the same problem, or if mine slips right into place. When I measured my original radiator against the KKS unit it all measured out the same...or seemed to. I will let you know what difficulties I run into.

Tim

I'm still trying to piece this readiator mystery together, so I've been scouring the gallery pages to see original setups and found this picture of Jon Miller's engine compartment.
http://www.stovebolt.com/gallery/images/miller_jon_1950d.jpg

The radiator flange is in the middle of the radiator. As I mentioned before mine is offset by at least and inch. Which means someone in the past changed that. That makes more sense because the cross braces have been cut out of the radiator support. He must have done that when he installed the 235 with a long shaft water pump. Now everything is new on the engine including a short shaft water pump. So I should have plenty of room for the radiator. But I don't. Hmph. I guess I'll bedoing some more head-scratching this weekend while looking in the engine bay.

The radiator itself has a slanted bracket that is closer at the top graduating to further at the bottom. It mounts to the outside of the engine side of the radiator bracket. You can see the graduation here sorta. I wish I had a side view.

http://devestechnet.com/Images/Restorations/1950B/D50b00433lg.jpg

Here is one showing how its mounted:

http://devestechnet.com/Images/Restorations/1950B/D50b00491lg.jpg

The other side:

http://devestechnet.com/Images/Restorations/1950B/D50b00492lg.jpg

Look carefully at where the engine is mounted, where the radiator bracket is mounted, etc. Maybe there is a clue in here somewhere.

With the proper water pump and 216 fan, there is no worry about it being too close. Good luck!