Radiator Help
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 12
From: KY
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 575
Likes: 6
From: Knoxville, TN
Its all good. I thought I missed something and read the post 5 more times looking for a pic or a link. I even checked my emails just to make sure I didn't miss anything before I posted. 
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 65
From: Eastern, Idaho
Were do the cracks develop? My oldest Champion radiator is almost 10 years old and no issues. The biggest issue I see with mounting aluminum radiators in these trucks is people don't use isolators. The radiators should have the ability to flex independently of the core support. I use single hole 3/8" isolators between the core support and radiator flange.
I just found a decent seep from my $800 griffin I installed in my 79 5 years ago. Kinda pissed. Been shopping for new but US radiator wants close to $1000 for the original style 4 row. Considering the tall champion now that they make one but want to make sure it is isolated. My concern is spacing the radiator closer to the engine.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 119
Is there a reason you cannot run an aftermarket radiator from rockAuto? They are plastic tank but you can get them in single or double core (aluminum). I think the cores are 1-1/4 wide if I remember correctly. I have ran one without a problem.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 855
Likes: 40
From: SoCal
Ok, here's what's mounted in my 78 Bronco. This is the Champion Big core for trucks equipped with Super Cooling option from the Factory. It's a direct bolt in. It's 3 rows. It replaced the original which was 4 rows. However it's 3 rows are larger than original the rad. I don't have any isolators.
Note the mounting brackets, there are 2 different mountings. Which do you have?
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