Big block radiator with a small block engine.

blackbird307 · Veteran Member

Big block radiator with a small block engine.

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

Is the Big Block radiator from the same model and year car?

blackbird307 · Veteran Member

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-auto-body-parts/winnipeg/1965-1966-chev-harrison-radiator-bbc-3-core-impala-biscayne/1001344264?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

No, but it looks totally identical to my old one.

seventy2plus2 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

That rad is being sold by Cdn Poncho member Howmac. While the rad may look the same, the mounting brackets and holes may vary from what you have.

-- Edited by seventy2plus2 on Wednesday 23rd of July 2014 07:50:21 AM

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

I don`t know how bad your rad was damaged but you can get it upgraded to high efficiency aluminum re-core for about $300 (Toronto prices) High efficiency means that the new aluminum core with about 30 to 40 % more rows is added thereby making your small block rad more capacity to cool than a big block rad.

blackbird307 · Veteran Member

I guess I would be better off buying a brand new rad.

My problem is that most of the new ones are 3 inch thick or greater, which is dangerously close to my fan, if not obstructing it.

Every radiator I find that is 2 inches costs me about $550 before shipping and taxes, double the cost of a smaller rad, which is ridiculous to me considering they are smaller...

Hell, I might as well plop in a big block if im going to be paying that much more for small block parts.

-- Edited by blackbird307 on Wednesday 23rd of July 2014 10:23:13 AM

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

No, a high efficiency re-core is in my opinion the best way to go. I hear of guys spending $600 on rads all the time that don`t fit properly , look terrible and don`t work. I am a firm believer in a re-core to maintain proper fit and appearance and cost effectiveness. Most shops will do the rad re-core in a day. Drop off in morning, pick up at closing time. The old adage of Time is money also has to apply, how long are you going to wait on that $600 rad to clear customs and get to you.

Your rad is very repairable, no worries there. Remember high efficiency means great cooling power than a stock big block rad.

-- Edited by 73SC on Wednesday 23rd of July 2014 11:12:06 AM

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

Heres all the rad you need I used a Champion on my 468 BB worked mint Have Carl 1 bring it up for you

http://www.andysautosport.com/chevrolet/1964_1972_chevelle/performance/radiators/radiators/champion_radiators/chrd00000043.html

blackbird307 · Veteran Member

I went to City Rad and they basically told me that a recore would ride me up to $400-$600, and a brand new one would be about $399, if I had a big block I would find one for under 200$ easy, which is frustrating for me. I got some replys on kijiji, I may not need one anymore, apparently tons of people have had them lying in their garage for the past 20-30 years, great news for me!.

seventy2plus2 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

There may be tons of people with them lying in their garages for the past 20 - 30 years, but they too will likely need to be rebuilt.

cdnpont · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

I'm with Carl on this one. If it's not for show, why bother with anything else. These things do the job regardless of how unoriginal they may look.

I bought one for my B, right from these guys. And it cost about $100 for the ride to my door. Works well so far. Got the overflow as a bonus at the time as well.

blackbird307 · Veteran Member

Yeah it looks like im going to have to do what carl suggested, I can't find one that fits, smallest one I found barely fit, but still came in contact with the fan. Is it too late to do this?

I have a 230 inline 6, and I need a crossflow radiator.

Also, my tank is only 2inches thick, anything more will obstruct the fan.

Seems like the granny that used to own this is haunting me.

-- Edited by blackbird307 on Sunday 27th of July 2014 05:57:44 PM

Beaumont67SD · Guru

My brother used an alum. Champion radiator on his 2000 Jeep Wrangler, after a deer hit him.
- fit perfect (right out of the box) and works excellent (3 row) / very decent build & weld quality
- much cheaper (like $400-500) than a recore or new OEM
Unless your doing up a 99 pt. car, Championship rad (Chinese manufactured) / hate to say it, may be the way to go.

In the Champion radiator.
'ES" = 2 row
"CC" = 3 row
"HD" = 4 row

blackbird307 · Veteran Member

My problem with the champion radiators are that they are too big.... unfortunately

My radiator has tanks 2inches thick, the champion uses tanks that are 2.75 inches, which obstructs my fan. My radiator looks like this

Here is the radiator the fit properly, fan didn't get obstructed.

So far the only kind of radiator I found that met my thickness requirements is only manufactured by griffen, and well it's not cheap lol

http://www.summitracing.com/int/search/department/cooling-heating/section/radiators/part-type/radiators/engine-type/l6/make/chevrolet/engine-size/3-8l-230/engine-family/gm-inline-6-cylinder/overall-thickness-in/2-000-in?N=4294950709%2B4294949676%2B4294949245%2B4294949232%2B4294919244

Which is why I am trying to find an OEM somewhere.

-- Edited by blackbird307 on Sunday 27th of July 2014 08:47:49 PM