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| | | Forums66 Topics128,020 Posts1,055,345 Members48,419 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Oct 2015 Posts: 67 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Oct 2015 Posts: 67 | Looking to faint info on how far other people have moved radiator forward with out grill mods | | | | | Joined: Oct 2015 Posts: 67 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Oct 2015 Posts: 67 | | | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,700 back yard wrench turner | | back yard wrench turner Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,700 | I moved mine to the front of the cowl channel without any other mods.
Last edited by Wayne67vert; 01/28/2016 3:03 PM.
Wayne1938 1-Ton Farm TruckStovebolt Gallery Forums1989 Silverado 1996 Mustang GT convertible When I die, I hope she doesn't sell everything for what I told her I paid for it! | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | You might want to indicate the year of truck (original poster, and responders). | | | | | Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 273 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 273 | "I moved mine to the front of the cowl channel without any other mods."
I thought you had to cut into the upper and lower valances, or whatever they're called, to do that? Interested too. Doing a 250 swap into a 53 3800 soon.
Larry W.
1953 3800 Dually Flatbed
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 273 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 273 | "soon"
Well sooner or later. LOL
1953 3800 Dually Flatbed
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | GMC trucks have a slightly longer engine, 228-302, their radiator is moved fwd in the grille support approx. 3", might look at a GMC for ideas. What type and year are you talking about?
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires. '47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle. '54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed. '55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,747 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,747 | AD type truck(52 1/2 ton) with a 235 I moved to the inside of the radiator support. Trim the bottom corners off the radiator mount and had good spacing from the fan. With a newer I6 I don't know. I did need to trim the top cover where the latch lives to clear the radiator cap. Not much, just a bit to save my thumb when the cap is twisted off. Next time I will convert the water pump. The fan is too low on the radiator. Again with the newer motor I am not sure how far you would need to move.
Steve H
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 273 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 273 | "GMC trucks have a slightly longer engine"
Probably would have remembered that, but didn't see it mentioned. I am going to look at the difference between them for ideas though. I don't mind cutting for room, truck is rough and will stay rough, at least until the wife protests enough. I'm sure the GMC latch panel and the Chevy grille etc. can't be mixed.
Larry W.
1953 3800 Dually Flatbed
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 273 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 273 | "Again with the newer motor I am not sure how far you would need to move." Another member said all he did was move the rad to the front of the mount. The fan was close but safe and the head was 1/2 off the firewall. My cab will need lots of sheet metal and as long as there is nothing in the way, I will even entertain a SMALL relief welded into the firewall. Picture a Thunderbird hood scoop....not the chrome part. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4154/5006000363_bc177a8847_b.jpgNot to move the engine back, just for more clearance...I will be using the stock trans with a '54 crossmember and 60's V-8 bellhousing. Truck is a "53. Larry W.
Last edited by Mrf1002u; 01/29/2016 10:38 PM.
1953 3800 Dually Flatbed
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 273 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 273 |
1953 3800 Dually Flatbed
| | | | | Joined: Nov 1995 Posts: 5,714 Bond Villain | | Bond Villain Joined: Nov 1995 Posts: 5,714 | Check the Tech Tips -- for some engine swaps, all you need to do is switch to a short-shaft water pump (available from most of our vendors) and an adapter (to move the fan up to the correct position for best cooling). There may be no need to move the radiator and cut up those nice, original splash/valance panels.
~ John A kid raised on Hotwheels, Matchbox and Tonka cannot be reasonably expected to own only one vehicle as an adult. 1949 Chevrolet 3804In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum1973 IH 1310 Dump1963 Kaiser M38A12001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie"2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley) | | | | | Joined: Oct 2015 Posts: 67 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Oct 2015 Posts: 67 | I got some measurements looks like I can move. 5 inches out and put fan on outside of radiator move the 7.3 forward and no cutting of the firewall except for small area for down pipe to curve over valve cover and at tat h to turbo . This was great too see. Except now I'm refabing motor mounts. If I could figure out the pic thing I would post. If anyone on her does We Chat there posted on it for my friends out of the country | | |
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