The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk need to replace stock radiator in 1951 - help

Anyone replace their stock radiator in a 1951 3100 lately? If so, where did you purchase it? Looking for the best deal I can find. My current one did not hold up to the stress/pressure of start up. Thanks.

Hank

I bought mine from us radiator

I did have a problem when It arrived. The mounting flanges were not welded in the right spot. pic.

I called them, e mailed that pic. They had ups at my door the next day to pick it up. 3 days later had the replacement delivered.

I was really impressed how they corrected the problem at their cost.

I do recommend that company.
I believe it is the same radiator chevs of the 40's offers. But less expensive through US radiator.

this was on a 1950 3100 235.

Good Luck

I bought a new one a couple years ago from Classic Parts which was the bext deal I could find at the time it fit perfect and works great. You can also make $30-40 just on the brass in your old one at the scrapyard to help offset the cost.

I bought the heavy duty from Carter thinking that was the smart thing to do, but its a thicker core and was uncomfortably close to the fan. I'm running a 235 with a short shaft. Plus the mounting holes were off even more than DADS50. Figured as soon as I drilled one hole to relocate, all bets were off on warranty. So I sent it back and had mine re-cored. The radiator shop recommended aluminum (a little cheaper)but I wasn't ready to give up the origonality. Not sure if the standard radiator would have worked better or not.I'm satisfied with the end result but would have been better off re-coreing in the first place.

You can try champion radiators they do all aluminum remakes. USA based company, I think they are made here. Have to double check that. Anyway, they make exact replicas and also a slew of other replicas. They have a limited lifetime warranty, also American Eagle Radiators is pretty much the same thing. You can find both on ebay. I don't think the eagle brand is made here in the states, but the price is about 220 shipped. I have seen quite a few companies out there that make these. Prices from 200-500 and up. I would stick with an aluminum one that has a lifetime warranty. Don't just get the cheapest one out there.

Thanks for the recommendations guys. I will check em' out. I appreciate the advise.

Champion radiators are made in China. I bought two different ones for my 55(210 car) neither fit. But they where good about returning them, even gave me back my shipping cost.

I need a new one for my '55 1st Series. I guess I'll go with the Classic at 324.95, unless anyone suggests otherwise.

http://www.classicparts.com/Radiator/products/864/

jivermo, if your a contibutor to the stovebolt be sure and ask for your 10% Stovebolt discount. It does add up.

Don't rule out local rad shops. I had mine re done and they used a heavy duty 4 row forklift core for $250.00 and I could still fit a belt between the rad and fan.

Thanks Curt, got the ol' leak master at a shop right before the holiday, should know something Monday. A re-core might be the best option cost wise as well.

Hank

I bought a replacement radiator for my 1954 GMC at NAPA, it is a 4 core and fits perfectly. Cost about $300.00 as I remember, it was about 4 years ago.

I just pulled my old Harrison radiator out, and weighed it on an accurate industrial scale. 20.5 pounds. The new one from Classic comes in at 19#. This unit looks real good, and is a precise fit. Standard comes with oil cooler holes and plugs to block them. Here are a series of comparison pics-I'm very pleased. Thye shipped it right out, and we Stovebolters get a 10% discount. Landed cost was 314.oo. Link: http://picasaweb.google.com/Jivermo/55ChevyRadiator310012TonPickup?authkey=Gv1sRgCKff0dKGm_fPOA#

Fed-X said my old one out of my 53 panel said it weighed 19 lbs. So sounds like everything is pretty much pound for pound!
There is a very interesting post here just this past week about radiators..... U.S.Radiators in fact and who they supply and one of the guys from U.S. Radiators made a very interesting post. It was a post initially made by Denny G.

Mine came from Carters a year ago for $295.
Chevman32, how long has it been since you ordered yours from NAPA. Do you have that part # handy? I know a friend here locally who is looking for one and don't want to pay the local rad shop 500 bucks to fix the old one.