The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Needs new Radiator!!??

I was just wondering if anybody who has replaced the radiator in there A.D. p-u w/ either the stock 216 or a 235 would weigh in and tell me if they used a 3 or 4 core and how well it worked.

My 235 powered '49 1/2 ton tends to run a little warm this time of year here in MO if I'm out cruising it around 50 mph or so. Around town and under 40 mph it's fine. I've had the old radiator boiled out but, I'm thinking it may still have a fair amount of crap still hindering the flow.

If you can find a radiator from a cabover,its bigger than the 1/2 and 3/4 ton pickups. Bigger non cabovers might be the same too,only modification needed is trimming of the panel in front of the radiator to clear the bigger top tank. Had one in a 51 3/4 ton and it worked prefectly. Jeff

A good radiator shop can re-core for about the same price as replacement. You may be able to fit a 3-row radiator in there also, or at least what my show called a "high efficiency" radiator. Then you have no fit problems.

-Boyo

I have a recored 3 row in mine. No problems, even running a 180* thermostat. Hottest I've had it was around 200* when I was hauling a ton & a half of dirt at 40.

Here's a related question:
Just found out my 50's "ebay special" radiator retains water about as well as a spagetti strainer. Is there a cheaper way to go than a full cost $200 re-core? Am I destined to start over? Help!

Maybe someone could drag a decent one along with them when they go pick up a rig in Snohomish as soon as they can get things rounded up and get on the road

Phatman: Radiators are not inexpensive and they are not overly expensive either. Recore will keep the original top and bottom tanks and the original look. Replacement radiators work fine and look ok on first glance, but the eagle eye will see them as a replacement.

Replacement radiators are around $400

Recore is around $300.

Decision time.

Actually, Jim Carter has new ones for about $250.00 (3 core) and $370.00 (4 core). I haven't priced a recore job. One thing to consider if you go that route is that you still have 50 (+) year old tanks that way. I've seen the repros, unless your going to Pebble Beach they look ok. I'm just trying to decide between 3 or 4 core. I use a short shaft water pump on the '58 235 (in my '49) with a pusher fan in front of the radiator so I've got a little extra room in front of the engine for a little more radiator. What I'd like to hear is how well somebody's truck runs with a new 3 core (or 4 core) compared with the old radiator. Something like "it runs twenty degrees cooler" or "didn't do squat". would be helpful.

Thanks,
Stingray

Thanks for the input friends.

Kook, I agree that money invested in the right radiator is spent avoiding trouble down the road while retaining the old components...

Luke, I'm not sure I follow. Email me if you like.

I had mine re-cored for $225. Very happy with it.