It's time to choose a radiator for my 1949 3100 project. It has a 1957 235 with a short shaft water pump from Classic Chevy parts.com. I plan to install air conditioning and would like to get as much cooling as I can but have read that the 4 core or "desert cooler" radiators may have interference issues but no one ever says just what those issues are. I'm assuming that it has to do with the stock fan being too close to the radiator? I have tried the search function and found several mentions of people using the 4 core but no mention of interference or fitment issues. I just don't want to have to ship this thing back or toss it on the swap meet pile after it doesn't fit. I also emailed Jim Carter to ask but got no response. Any insight or advice?
I had this radiator in my '47 when I was running a GMC 228. The front-end sheet was modified by the PO to make the radiator fit. Here's a picture with my 1955 235 in the '47 with the old radiator with a trans cooler. Obviously, the fan wouldn't fit. Here's a picture of the standard radiator with the fan installed. I believe the larger radiator is for use with a V-8 which is a shorter engine.
Thanks for the pictures, that helps a lot. Do you know if you have a short shaft water pump? It looks like you do in the picture. It looks like I'd be better off trying the 3 core as I really don't want to cut up too much of the stock sheet metal or run an electric fan.
The factory Desert Cooler radiators do no stick out any further than the stock ones. If they did, how would they ever work from the factory? The extra thickness of the desert cooler is towards the front of the truck, inside of the support. I have one and can confirm this.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
From the research I did I thought the extra thickness fills out the remaining space below the top tank towards the engine. The pictures HandyAndy posted appear to agree with this. Do you remember where you bought yours? I'm not sure how you could move much forward with the top tank being so close to the top of the radiator support, but if you've got one that was a drop in replacement I'd love to find one.
Yes, I have a short shaft water pump with the re-location plate installed. FYI, the wide radiator measures 20" X 19 3/4" X 2 5/8" (ME355). The standard radiator measures 20" X 19 3/4" X 2" (78-011).
From the research I did I thought the extra thickness fills out the remaining space below the top tank towards the engine. The pictures HandyAndy posted appear to agree with this. Do you remember where you bought yours? I'm not sure how you could move much forward with the top tank being so close to the top of the radiator support, but if you've got one that was a drop in replacement I'd love to find one.
My Desert cooler came from a 2 ton truck. I had to modify the top strap of the radiator support to make room for the thicker top tank. Everything else fit.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
I honestly feel that a 2 larger row radiator is far better in cooling as compared with a small 4 row one.
Craig
My '50 Chevy 3100 5 window, '62-235cu, 3:55 rear My truck ....... Respect The Rust If I'm not working on my truck, '65 m00stang or VW camper, I'm fishing with the wife or smoking Salmon.
