The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 49 GMC Radiator/Gas Tank, Simple question

What other radiators fit in the same space as the original radiator? Why can't I go to advanced auto and buy a radiator for some random vehicle that has a radiator with the same dimensions (or close enough anyway)? Does anyone know any radiators that I could cross to from an original? I need a radiator but don't want to pay $1.2 million for one when a $150 radiator for a dodge dart will suffice (not really, but you get the point). I don't really care to go for 'perfect' or 'show quality' with my trucks. I just want fun and enjoyment of driving them. My 49 GMC needs a radiator and a gas tank. What other gas tanks could fit with minor modification? a 67 Chevy PU tank for example? IF anyone has had any luck doing this type of deal let me know. [email protected] please email, thanks!

measure things up and start checkin in the wrecking yards .... you won't find a late model rad that's "close enough", but likely find a gas tank that'll fit in the frame at the rear in place of the spare .... I'd expect you could get a rad shop to re-core an original rad for considerably less than 1.2 mil, probably find a repro rad for not much more than the recore

Bill

kgw51GMC:
Just this past Friday I got the radiator book from the commercial sales counter at Advance Auto and for two hours looked at every radiator in the book. It shows diagrams, front/back/channel mount and core size. Crossflow and vertical. Several of the Chrysler radiators had the same core size as my 37 pickup but they were either right width but to tall or the other way around. I circled about 6 or 8 that I thought would work to get a price. Most were $175 to $220. In the end I gave up but you may find something for your model as its different from mine.

As info: I took my radiator to a place thats been in business for 40 years. My "old" radiator had a new core not many years ago with very few miles on it. It started leaking at the top tank seam. I wanted them to fix the leak and put a tranny cooler in the bottom tank.
Well, they said I could use my tank top but needed a NEW CORE and bottom tank with the cooler already in it. Price $542 !!!!
I said no thanks. They wouldn't even talk to me about repairing it and told me what I had was not "good".

NOW, I started looking through the Links here on the bolt and ran a few radiator links. I found a place in N.Y. that had a NEW "universal" GRIFFIN aluminum tank,for chevys and street rods, on sale for $195 plus $16 shipping. It is 3/4" wider and just a bit shorter than my original. I ordered it yesterday.

The claims are that Aluminum is 35% more efficient and half the weight as the copper. The one I ordered said it was good for up to 400HP small block chevy. (I'm pulling about 375)

There are some deals out there to be had. Just shop around. It would be bad to get one from the salvage yard and end up having to get it vatted and repaired. (even though I'm sure some good salvage ones are out there)

Oh, the local shops said the "metal" is high....I told them yeah, it was high but now its not near as high as it had been!

I know this is long but hopefully sharing my experience it will help you in deciding. Check out the links and shop around.

Here's the link I used http://classicfordradiator.com/grif...diator25tallx1875wideforchevyengine.aspx

When you click the link the radiator I ordered will most likely be on the page. It said quanity ONE when I ordered it so I don't know if any are left. There may some other bolters out there that need one like this and maybe they could get one.
Hopefully I don't here from some of you that this radiator is not good !!??

Can you do bracket fabrication? If so then get a Speedway RACE catalog, not their street rod catalog, and look up radiators. The sell their own brand of double row 1" tube aluminum radiator that will cool any street engine. You buy them with measurement as to the size you need. Cost $110 brand new. They work just fine in a vertical application but you have to move the filler neck if you stand them up. They also offer an inline filler that fits the upper hose so you can just plug the original filler with a high pressure cap and fill through the one in the top hose. Also have mounting brackets and pads but I've never used them since they are for horizontal mounting.

Holy crap you guys are great! I really didn't expect all this info! I have some more thinking to do. Thanks again guys!