I am restoring a 1954 3100 with a 235. I am installing a new radiator in the original support and I do not have the original radiator. I need to know how high the radiator mounts on the radiator support? Does the side frame of the radiator line up with the top of the radiator support? I’ll post a couple of photos for reference. I have not drilled any holes yet the radiator is just sitting loose. Thanks.
Do it right the first time! 1964-1/2 Mustang Coupe 1969 Mustang Mach 1 1954 Chevy 3100 1/2 Ton
With that rad, you might wait till you get the engine in and match up the height with the top rad hose for a 235. My rad with my 235 has 2 sets of holes for height adjustment.
~ BD. "You won't find me in an old folks home" Pioneer Florida Cracker 1958 Apache Stepside 1958 Apache 1/2 ton Panel 1959 Apache 1/2 ton Panel
Here's a pic of the stock radiator in the support frame from my '51. You might get an idea of the distance by comparing the width of the frame with the height from the bottom, although pictures aren't always true to dimensions vertical vs horizontal. [on edit] an additional picture from the front showing the radiator above the top of the support.
Last edited by klhansen; 09/25/20239:49 PM.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
With all due respect, you bought the wrong radiator for your truck in my humble opinion. There is a better choice available on eBay which has the same tank design as the original Harrison brass radiator, If you paint it black, its hard to tell from the original. It fits perfectly and has the mounting holes already drilled. The last one I bought was $200.00 to my door. If you search eBay for aluminum radiator for '47-'54 Chevrolet truck, you will see many sites with good pictures. Look for one that has the tank which looks just like the original radiator for these trucks.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
Guitplayer, thanks for the reply. If you note the photos, the engine is already in the truck. I have the hoses, and I have already test fit them. This is a total restoration and there aren’t any body parts attached yet, and add to that I am not the one that disassembled the truck so I don’t know if the height of the radiator affects anything that bolts on the front end. I realize that the radiator support frame does require shims where it attaches to the frame at the bottom as the fenders affect the placement of the radiator frame height. My problem is further compounded by the fact that the owner threw out the original radiator, which of course would of answered my question about the placement.
Do it right the first time! 1964-1/2 Mustang Coupe 1969 Mustang Mach 1 1954 Chevy 3100 1/2 Ton
klhansen, Thanks for your reply & photos. The photo of the bottom of the radiator/cradle is helpful. Do you by chance have a shot of the top tank and side mounting bracket at the top of the radiator, as that would be the best view? Greatly appreciated.
Do it right the first time! 1964-1/2 Mustang Coupe 1969 Mustang Mach 1 1954 Chevy 3100 1/2 Ton
52Carl, Thanks for your reply and your comments are appreciated, but I see no point in changing radiators. This one is fine, I just need to determine how high it mounts. I am not making a concours restoration.
Do it right the first time! 1964-1/2 Mustang Coupe 1969 Mustang Mach 1 1954 Chevy 3100 1/2 Ton
klhansen, Thanks for your reply & photos. The photo of the bottom of the radiator/cradle is helpful. Do you by chance have a shot of the top tank and side mounting bracket at the top of the radiator, as that would be the best view? Greatly appreciated.
Sorry, that's all I have. Both parts are kind of buried in my parts trailer now, so not easily accessible.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
52Carl, Thanks for your reply and your comments are appreciated, but I see no point in changing radiators. This one is fine, I just need to determine how high it mounts. I am not making a concours restoration.
That being the case, I suggest that you find a nearby truck which has an original radiator and measure the distance between the bottom of the radiator and the radiator support. That is likely the most important indicator of proper placement of your new radiator.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
52 Carl, When I finally got back to installing the radiator I purchased I ran into a problem with the lower neck and it was angled wrong, so I have to send it back. I am taking your advice and looking at the ebay radiators. Another issue I found on the one I had is that the upper hose neck was 1.5” O.D. and the upper hose having an I.D. of 1.25” and the lower hose neck 1.75” and the hose at 1.5”. The radiator on eBay has the same size hose necks. Are you aware if there are different size hoses or different radiators with different size hose necks? I got the hoses from an aftermarket Chevy supplier. Thanks. Phil
Do it right the first time! 1964-1/2 Mustang Coupe 1969 Mustang Mach 1 1954 Chevy 3100 1/2 Ton
Hoses can be found with different size ends. Even the universal "accordion" hoses. Something one would run in to when putting a V8 in an old truck. I used to search manufacturers web catalogs for proper hoses. Lately, because I am doing modifications, I'll find higher end hoses or adapters to get from one size to another.
52 Carl, When I finally got back to installing the radiator I purchased I ran into a problem with the lower neck and it was angled wrong, so I have to send it back. I am taking your advice and looking at the ebay radiators. Another issue I found on the one I had is that the upper hose neck was 1.5” O.D. and the upper hose having an I.D. of 1.25” and the lower hose neck 1.75” and the hose at 1.5”. The radiator on eBay has the same size hose necks. Are you aware if there are different size hoses or different radiators with different size hose necks? I got the hoses from an aftermarket Chevy supplier. Thanks. Phil
Do you have the original to the truck brass radiator to measure the hose neck? I found a radiator site on eBay which has a long list of radiators for the different years, and some of them specify "for V8 only." You may want to contact the supplier to see which one to order. Have the filler neck and thermostat housing neck dimensions handy before you contact them.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
Both parts are kind of buried in my parts trailer now, so not easily accessible.