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radiator advice
https://slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=34982		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  64conv65hard [ Tue Apr 21, 2009 2:37 pm ]
Post subject:  radiator advice
Looking for some radiator advice. My 64 valiant runs hot during the summer and i picked up a used radiator hoping it would be in good shape to replace the existing one. I just got a call from the radiator shop and the guy told me it was shot but he could rebuild it for about $650. I only use the 64 on nice days around my area and now i'm wondering if I should just not even bother replacing it.
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Tue Apr 21, 2009 2:47 pm ]
Post subject: 
Well...that depends on whether you want to know the car can be used at will without overheating, or if you'll be okeh with knowing you can't use it for longer than "x" many miles or when the outside temperature is over "y" degrees.

$650 to rebuild the stock radiator is out of line. See this thread.
Author:  64conv65hard [ Tue Apr 21, 2009 3:42 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for the info Dan. I felt the price was awfully high but it's been about 20 years since i had the radiator for my 65 in the shop so i thought that maybe prices have really jumped, just like everything else. I'm going to check him out and again, thanks
Author:  64conv65hard [ Tue Apr 21, 2009 3:59 pm ]
Post subject: 
OBTW, I just got off the phone with Randy and he said he's still waiting on your pictures Dan.
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Tue Apr 21, 2009 4:46 pm ]
Post subject: 
Rad's not installed in the car yet, and my grandpa's dying, so photos will need to wait.
Author:  64conv65hard [ Tue Apr 21, 2009 5:05 pm ]
Post subject: 
I understand. Just passing on a message, didn't mean anything by it.
Author:  tophat [ Tue Apr 21, 2009 5:16 pm ]
Post subject: 
I have found the affordable solution to replacing the round top radiator on my 63 Dart was to use the smaller of the two options for a 67 Dart. It is not a round top, but a regular looking radiator. Mine fit right in and lined up with the hole just fine, 3 out of the 4 bolt holes lined up no problem, I think the hoses fit the same too. All in all it was very easy and a year ago I think it cost about $175ish.

That luminum one sure is purdy tho


TopHat
Author:  phogroian [ Tue Apr 21, 2009 5:19 pm ]
Post subject: 
Is the original one or the used replacement one leaking? If not can't it be cleaned without totally overhauling it? I have a spare and I'm not far from you, but it was pulled from an old parts '64 and probably also needs a good cleaning.
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Tue Apr 21, 2009 6:01 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
I have found the affordable solution to replacing the round top radiator on my 63 Dart was to use the smaller of the two options for a 67 Dart. It is not a round top, but a regular looking radiator. Mine fit right in and lined up with the hole just fine, 3 out of the 4 bolt holes lined up no problem
Mmm...neat trick, given that the brackets for '65-up A-body radiators are all about 26" across (bolt hole to bolt hole) while the brackets for '64-down A-body radiators are all about 21" across (bolt hole to bolt hole). The '65-up small radiators (19" wide core) have an extra-wide left bracket to take up the extra space between the left edge of the core and the left edge of the ~22" wide radiator cutout in the radiator support panel. The '64 and earlier cars have a narrow (~19" wide) cutout in the radiator support panel.
Author:  tophat [ Tue Apr 21, 2009 7:16 pm ]
Post subject: 
Ok here is how it works. The drivers side bolts up just fine, as normal, using all the stock holes.
Image

Now for the "trick" on the passengers side. The new rad had some holes inboard of the "factory mounting" holes, one of these holes happened to line up with the factory hole in the car. For the last 11 months I have been meaning to drill the other hole for the 4th bolt.

Image

Image

Image

You can see the factory holes are not being used on the passengers side. I am using a hole that was in the rad as purchased. This is the shorter of the 2 options. Yes it fit just like you see even when the 2 factory horns were installed.

Sorry the pics aren't great but they were taken in the dark, just now.


TopHat
Author:  64conv65hard [ Wed Apr 22, 2009 2:56 am ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
I have found the affordable solution to replacing the round top radiator on my 63 Dart was to use the smaller of the two options for a 67 Dart. It is not a round top, but a regular looking radiator. Mine fit right in and lined up with the hole just fine, 3 out of the 4 bolt holes lined up no problem, I think the hoses fit the same too. All in all it was very easy and a year ago I think it cost about $175ish.

That luminum one sure is purdy tho


TopHat
Was that a new one from the store?
Author:  wjajr [ Wed Apr 22, 2009 4:18 am ]
Post subject: 
64conv65hard,

My 2 cents:

My radiator guy told me if there was "white stuff" festering up on the out side than most likely the metal is Swiss Cheese, and just buy a new unit much cheaper than a repair. Where my car is not a resto correct queen, I went new.

Try these guys. I purchased a radiator from them for my 67' Dart last month. If you Google "Valiant radiator" you may find that they have an add with a internet $-off coupon. I got 25 bucks off with a coupon had to pay CA sales tax, and $5 shipping to get it to Maine in a week.

The only thing that was different from the old factory radiator and the new one was the angle of the lower hose connection, other than that it bolted right up. I had to purchase a flex hose to make it work, as the old molded hose was too short. The new over flow tank is identical to Year One's $30 unit, it came from Wally World for 8 bucks, go figure. Don't pay full retail for Chinese goods...

Image

Image

Image
Author:  64conv65hard [ Wed Apr 22, 2009 4:41 am ]
Post subject: 
radiator was cleaned and tested, at 10 psi it was leaking throughout the core.
Author:  wjajr [ Wed Apr 22, 2009 9:25 am ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
radiator was cleaned and tested, at 10 psi it was leaking throughout the core.
Yup, recore job needed. Those replacement cores must be made of gold. When you get the new unit installed, use a lower pressure cap and a can of water pump lube if none of the other cooling components have been brought back to factory spec. Other wise you will just pop the heater core, or water pump. The weak link syndrome.
Author:  bbbbbb9 [ Wed Apr 22, 2009 9:48 am ]
Post subject: 
I've got an extra Rad. from a 64 dart that the PO said worked well for him if you're interested. Shipping is always the rub. My zip is 85705 if you want to do some research on prices for shipping
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