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2 radiator questions:
The radiator in my 1953 half ton truck is the one that came in it when I bought it. I thought it strange that it is several inches short of reaching the bottom of the mounting shell (see pics). Also, my lower nipple exits the radiator and makes an immediate 90 degree bend upward. I've been told this is wrong for 53. So first I"m wondering what radiator I have?
Second: I'd like to know if a 53 and 54 radiator are the same because I know where I can buy a 54 radiator locally at a fair price, and if there the same, I'll likely buy it.

Looks correct to me and what came in my '52. If the tank came all the way down there'd be no way to insert a hand crank into the balancer. That's why bottom tank has the recess in the middle. When replacing factory radiator the new bottom tank did not have the recess, it was straight across. Although I never hand cranked it, the recess is an interesting detail to point out at car shows and stuff.

Hard to make out the nipple details; pic is too blurry when enlarged. Mine has a simple petcock in that location, drains straight out toward front.

My radiator has the year on it I belive?
Harrison?
Should have year and date code if I can remember correctly.
Driver's side has year/date code?
Passenger side radiator number.
Mike ,
What Harrison number do you have?
Should be on passenger side facing firewall.

I never would have noticed the numbers on the radiator, if you hadnt told me. On my driver's side, mine is A-02 , and right below that is 49A. On the passenger side is the Word "Harrison", and below that is the number 3121096. What do those numbers tell you?

Mike,
Looks like your radiator is a 1948 from a Car.
The 49-A would be January 1949.
I am going off " Brassworks' chart and your radiator number.
Your radiator shows 1942-1948 car 2" core.
See attach picture of chart
Todd

Yes, I guess your right. Do you think that an original truck radiator would be better in terms of cooling capability?

Are you having cooling problems? If not, don't worry about it.

Even if the truck had some sort of heavy duty radiator compared to a sedan, you aren't towing a trailer full of livestock across Death Valley or even putting half the load on the engine that the truck was designed to handle. You'll be fine.

Now that we're on the Harrison radiator identification track, is there a chart somewhere that lists all of their numbers?

Mine does not appear on the chart at The Brassworks that you posted a portion of. It does have the hand crank tunnel.

R 02
41 - K

3115954

The closest I could find so far is 3115919 for a 1941-'48 Pontiac 8 cyl.

Mike,
Not sure on that question.
I would say if you are not having any problems, overheating, leaks, ect leave it BE.
Just my opinion though.

Otto,
November 1941.
Are you 100% sure on numbers?
Can you post a picture please.
I did read 1942-1947 Chevy. I believe "Car".

Yes, it's definitely a 9.

I thought they skipped the letter "I" so K would be October. Somewhere I saw that "M" was December.

Otto,
Unfortunately I have not located a Full Harrison radiator number chart. But I have read two things I found on-line that say your radiator is out of a car.
I have only read A-L is what Harrison used for date codes.
Todd

Thanks.

What makes you think car? Was that the 354 code? What kind of car?

That's weird because a guy on this forum has a 1946 truck with a radiator with a letter "M". It was ID'd as December by some radiator shop dude on the H.A.M.B. That message was 5+ years ago.

From a online search I saw 3115954 was. 42 to 46 Chevy passenger cars

That's cool. So it was made in late 1941 and installed in a Chevrolet car. I wonder if there are any real differences. I don't even know what the authentic radiator is supposed to look like. Maybe the filler neck is off-center? Mine is in the center.

Otto,
Not sure on the actual differences between truck vs. car original radiator. But here is a Truck Harrison.
It is off-center towards passenger side..See picture. Harrison 3118967.
And the drainplug is on passenger side. Looks like almost a 45 degree angle.

Ya , I just looked at mine. The cap is in the same place as that one, not dead center. The petcock is also in the same place but is sort of blocked by a metal splash shield.

I guess the splash pan is just bent.

Another data point but probably not on point for the 1/2 ton discussion: The radiator in my 51 3800 shows Harrison no. 3132039. I bought it from a wrecking yard along about 1975 and the yellow marking was "1954 ton-and a half." It has bigger tanks and a thicker core than the original but still has the relief in the bottom tank for the crank.

My radiator appears much taller than the one pictured in the OP's photo but it's the same height as the one it replaced so I would surmise that the car radiators were smaller. If the OP is going for originality, look for a new radiator support as the top bracket it missing and serves as a structural member. They are frequently removed to facilitate engine removal. It should at least be bolted back in.

Im the original poster. I'm not obsessed with originality, but I try to stay original as long as it's not costing me lots of money. I do have the top bracket for my radiator shell, it's just not installed in the picture. The only problem I now see in using my present radiator is that the lower exit tube turns straight up, where the original was straight horizontal. So, I cant use the nice factory made formed lower hose with my present radiator. Instead I have to use a flexible hose. Other than that, I don't see much of an issue. I have, however, located a correct truck radiator that looks good, at a good price. So, I'll probably spring for it and hope that it doesn't need any repairs.

Mike , I apologize for helping to get off topic....
One of your questions was if a 54 Radiator would be the same.

I've attached a screenshot from GM Truck Parts Catalog, indicates same part number for 47-53 Comm and 54-55 ( 1st series) 1/2,3/4 Ton .

Thanks