radiator swap
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: 29 palms usa
radiator swap
well the 44 year old radiator finaly took a dump on me. And it can't be rebulit. I read that you can use a radiarot out of a mid 70's amc matador or a ambassador. Can anyone tell me the exact year so that the radiator shop can order me one--because as usual their "books" don't go back to '58. Thanks for the help
CHEVY
CHEVY
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
radiator swap
This may be useless info to you but mid to late 70s Ford truck and van radiators go into a 53-56 pretty nice. Especially if running a later model Ford V-8. The 70s stuff is flanged on each side and mounts up almost perfect. Looks pretty close to right for hundreds less. Not too hard to find a shroud that will work too. The upper hose outlet is on the passenger side and the lower on the drivers. 80s trucks have a different mounting style. Your radiator shop should have a buyers guide with illustrations and dimensions. A trip to the salvage yard might help. Even if you end up ordering a new one. I caught a break and found a new one at the salvage yard.
Dewayne
Dewayne
Freshman User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
radiator swap
Before you try to mix and match, try U.S. Radiator. Their E-mail address is: www.usradiator.com. They had something for my '58, so they might have something for your truck. Their phone # is: (323)826-0965. They are located in Los Angeles somewhere.
Good luck...
Daryl
Good luck...
Daryl
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,070
Likes: 2
From: Boise, Idaho
radiator swap
I like what fatfenders had to say; mid to late Ford truck radiator is probably a cross-flow. I've heard that they're more efficient than the old style down-flow.
But I was going to add my two cents; my favorite radiator shop will rebuild (recore) a radiator for the same price as a new one, but they can order the 'heavy duty' core with internal ridges that improves the heat exchange.
It took me a little searching before I found this shop. I had been to several shops in this area before I found Fry's Radiator in Boise. They don't just want to sell me a radiator, they fix my old junk. Other shops just find an excuse to say my old one won't work and then try to sell me on a cheap crap Modine replacement.
Most recent job was a recore of my heater core in the '54. They'll be working on the MGB radiator, and our latest toy, a 1956 Fairlane.
But I was going to add my two cents; my favorite radiator shop will rebuild (recore) a radiator for the same price as a new one, but they can order the 'heavy duty' core with internal ridges that improves the heat exchange.
It took me a little searching before I found this shop. I had been to several shops in this area before I found Fry's Radiator in Boise. They don't just want to sell me a radiator, they fix my old junk. Other shops just find an excuse to say my old one won't work and then try to sell me on a cheap crap Modine replacement.
Most recent job was a recore of my heater core in the '54. They'll be working on the MGB radiator, and our latest toy, a 1956 Fairlane.
