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| | | | Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 13 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 13 | Anyone have any good suggestions for a radiator for my 37 truck? I've read where some people have newer models recored, some people have locations that make radiators to fit, and others start with the original radiator.
I dont have the original so I'm looking at buying one somewere. Any ideas where to start? | | | | | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,221 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,221 | I had the original radiator recored in my truck. Its works well cooling a late model 250. Joe | | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 | if you are going V8 find a good one in a salvage yard that is built for the pressure. MY story is long but I will try..... I took my ORIGINAL to a radiator shop and had them cut the old neck out and put one in that I could run a pressure cap. I used the original top and bottom but put in a new core that he had which would fit.... But the down side (AFTER THOUGHT) is that the top and bottom originals are pretty thin and I'm always a little scared they will rip!! And the bottom hose neck on the radiator is long and turns up which could interfer with putting a little larger fan blade on it.....If I had it to do again I would scour the junk yard and see what I could bolt on.(I ended up with $265 in mine which isn't bad but that was 6/7 years ago. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 13 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 13 | Any particular year or make I should look for?
Has anyone tried the junkyard approach and if so is there one that will fit or do modifications need to be made to get the size right? | | | | | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,221 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,221 | Something else I thought of on mine. The 250's water pump is quit a bit lower then a original 216's, so I lowered the radiator to the bottom of the support. Before I lowered it the fan blade was below the bottom tank!
Its going to be tough finding a junkyard radiator that will fit, most newer units flow side to side instead of the top to bottom like yours. Check some of the aftermarket (street rod) shops, they make them but they are not cheap! Joe | | | | | Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 3,441 Moderator - The Electrical Bay | | Moderator - The Electrical Bay Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 3,441 | I'm using the original radiatior in my 39 Chevy Truck, I've got a wore out 283 in it... the only time i have heat issues is during stop and go traffic on a HOT day.
Another quality post.
Real Trucks Rattle
HELP! The Paranoids are after me!
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 926 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 926 | If you find a good cross-flow(later style) radiator that's close to the same measurements as the space in your truck-(with radiator stood on end,of course) you should be able to have a radiator shop re-fit the neck and inlet/outlet to make it a down-flow to fit your truck. They'll probably clean it out good and pressure check it too,so it'll be ready to run. You might have to do some custom fitting on it as far as mounting holes etc. but that's no big deal.
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