Need advice on a new radiator

[87k5]

Hello all ck5 wheelers...
I need to get a new radiator for my truck. I have had it worked on a few times and I am at the point where it will be better to just go on and replace it. I am about to move from Alabama to South Carolina while pulling a 30' gooseneck. My truck is a 1988 Chevrolet V30 DRW 454 (I will post a pic.. I know how we are all visual learners.. myself included) I am looking for a 100% stock replacement, I am not interested in one with plastic tanks. I have looked at a few websites (1800 radiator, radiator.com) and I have done some google searches too. I can't seam to come to a consensus on what to do.

Thanks for your time.

Charles

 

[nvrenuf]

I upgraded to a big, wider 4 core from a 6.2 CUCV (should be the same in a civilian 6.2 truck). It is a direct bolt in IF you have the matching shroud. I believe your top brackets are the same.

 

[bp71k5]

The parts stores around here still carry all metal radiators. The quality is ok at best though in my case. You should be able to go to a radiator shop and have them completely re-tube your existing one. Might be best bet for reliability.

If you go aluminum, make sure not to get a universal version unless you want to fab up a mounting system. Universal versions are usually the cheapest though.

 

[dyeager535]

Listen to Brian. If you don't want plastic/aluminum, take it somewhere to have yours rebuilt, or find someone that sells the solid copper/brass replacements, which is getting more difficult, and is often ridiculously expensive.

It's to the point now IMO that the plastic/aluminum setups are worth considering because they are so cheap that replacing two or three of them you are still ahead of a copper/brass, IF you can find it. My personal opinion is that these trucks flex too much if used hard for the plastic/aluminum tanks to hold up as long as a copper/brass would, but if lifetime warranty, it's an option.

I don't like the plastic/aluminum design, but AFAIK it's the standard in almost every new vehicle. But again, much of that I believe goes back to making sure they aren't flexed.

 

[skunked]

I upgraded to a big, wider 4 core from a 6.2 CUCV (should be the same in a civilian 6.2 truck). It is a direct bolt in IF you have the matching shroud. I believe your top brackets are the same.

I run the same one with my 454. Found it used and had the radiator shop go through it for about $80.

 

[MajMike]

I upgraded to a big, wider 4 core from a 6.2 CUCV (should be the same in a civilian 6.2 truck). It is a direct bolt in IF you have the matching shroud. I believe your top brackets are the same.

I also replaced my 6.2's with a duplicate from RockAuto, copper/brass 4 row for about $350 delivered (IIRC). Works great.

 

[MajMike]

I upgraded to a big, wider 4 core from a 6.2 CUCV (should be the same in a civilian 6.2 truck). It is a direct bolt in IF you have the matching shroud. I believe your top brackets are the same.

I also replaced my 6.2's with a duplicate from RockAuto, copper/brass 4 row for about $350 delivered (IIRC). Works great.