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Radiator upgrade options for a 74?

T

TheCaptain

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Hello all,

Well...as promised, it's time to start with the questions. Can anyone recommend a good heavy-duty 4 row radiator for a 74? I see that YearOne has a few different radiators listed, and I thought they might be a good deal. I have to get an order of other things together from them anyways, so I should be able to get a big order together and get a 5% or 10% off on the lot. I am open to other sources if anyone has a good one, though.

In their catalog I see a few different options:
RC25 1973-80 trucks with L6 and 305 and 350 V8 with heavy-duty cooling and/or A/C. 3-row core. Measures 28-3/8" x 17" x 2". 8" tall oil cooler for A/T. $193.00

RC29 1973-80 trucks with 454 and A/C, all 1975-80 small block, and 1981-87 454 V8, 4-row core. Measures 28-3/8" x 19-1/4" x 2-5/8". 8-1/2" tall oil cooler for A/T. $257.00

RC33 1981-87 trucks with 305 and 350 V8, with extra heavy-duty cooling. 4-row core. For use in trucks with extra cooling needs under severe use. Measures 28-3/8" x 19" x 2-1/4". 8-1/2" tall oil cooler for A/T. $375.00

Ok...now for the fun. Which one of these is going to work the best, and which can I make fit in there so that it looks like it was meant to be there? I am going to guess any of them COULD fit, but does anyone know if they will all fit right in and if I would need a different shroud or mounting hardware for any of them?

It's kind of funny...in all of the years of owning cars and even doing a few driveway repairs, I've never had to change out a radiator. Just thermostats and hoses.

There is a chance I a moving to Austin, TX this fall and my long term plans for the truck might include a hotter engine depending on how the finances go. I'd like to have some heavy duty cooling on this one.

Thanks in advance for any input.
 
TheCaptain said:
Hello all,

Well...as promised, it's time to start with the questions. Can anyone recommend a good heavy-duty 4 row radiator for a 74? I see that YearOne has a few different radiators listed, and I thought they might be a good deal. I have to get an order of other things together from them anyways, so I should be able to get a big order together and get a 5% or 10% off on the lot. I am open to other sources if anyone has a good one, though.

In their catalog I see a few different options:
RC25 1973-80 trucks with L6 and 305 and 350 V8 with heavy-duty cooling and/or A/C. 3-row core. Measures 28-3/8" x 17" x 2". 8" tall oil cooler for A/T. $193.00

RC29 1973-80 trucks with 454 and A/C, all 1975-80 small block, and 1981-87 454 V8, 4-row core. Measures 28-3/8" x 19-1/4" x 2-5/8". 8-1/2" tall oil cooler for A/T. $257.00

RC33 1981-87 trucks with 305 and 350 V8, with extra heavy-duty cooling. 4-row core. For use in trucks with extra cooling needs under severe use. Measures 28-3/8" x 19" x 2-1/4". 8-1/2" tall oil cooler for A/T. $375.00

Ok...now for the fun. Which one of these is going to work the best, and which can I make fit in there so that it looks like it was meant to be there? I am going to guess any of them COULD fit, but does anyone know if they will all fit right in and if I would need a different shroud or mounting hardware for any of them?

It's kind of funny...in all of the years of owning cars and even doing a few driveway repairs, I've never had to change out a radiator. Just thermostats and hoses.

There is a chance I a moving to Austin, TX this fall and my long term plans for the truck might include a hotter engine depending on how the finances go. I'd like to have some heavy duty cooling on this one.

Thanks in advance for any input.
Click to expand...

Your best option would be from a 73-80 truck with a 454 and A/C.
Stock they came with a 4 row tall radiator but you will need the top bracket with it since it was higher and bolts up in a different way.
 
Can the tranny cooler built into these rads be used for engine oil cooler? Ive got a 4speed and my 93 big block has provisions near the oil filter for easy hookup. Anyone done this?

Thanks.
 
TeamRedneck said:
Can the tranny cooler built into these rads be used for engine oil cooler? Ive got a 4speed and my 93 big block has provisions near the oil filter for easy hookup. Anyone done this?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Well the tranny cooler usually needs to be warmed up, and then kept warm not hot, that is why they build the cooler in the radiator, the oil coolers are usually seperate, it still might be better than nothing though.
 
I don't think the fittings on the transmission cooler would be large enough for the volume of oil you would need for the motor. You could get a radiator with the proper size cooler. I've picked up a used radiator with both the engine oil cooler and transmission cooler. I don't know the applications which would use this radiator, all I know it was in a heavily modified chevy P/U.
BTW, this used radiator also came with a transmission cooler that takes 3/8" inverted flare fittings instead 5/16".
 
JDNobodi said:
I don't think the fittings on the transmission cooler would be large enough for the volume of oil you would need for the motor. You could get a radiator with the proper size cooler. I've picked up a used radiator with both the engine oil cooler and transmission cooler. I don't know the applications which would use this radiator, all I know it was in a heavily modified chevy P/U.
BTW, this used radiator also came with a transmission cooler that takes 3/8" inverted flare fittings instead 5/16".
Click to expand...

Usually diesel GM trucks came with an oil cooler. :D
 
I have to measure it then, I think the diesels radiators are wider than the gas radiators. Come to think about it, I think the guy said the truck used to be a diesel. It's one way for a modified truck to get around the biannual smog checks-till you get caught.:eek1:
 
JDNobodi said:
I have to measure it then, I think the diesels radiators are wider than the gas radiators. Come to think about it, I think the guy said the truck used to be a diesel. It's one way for a modified truck to get around the biannual smog checks-till you get caught.:eek1:
Click to expand...

The diesel radiator is no wider than the gas radiator of the same vintage, just bigger.
The 81-91 trucks had a wider radiator that will not fit the older trucks without some modifications, I know some have done it to retrofit a diesel engine in their older trucks.
 
So a seperate oil cooler is propably the way to go. Do you guys think my 454 will stay cool with the stock rad thats in there? It's ment for a 350 im pretty sure. It has the upper bracket that goes down, its not the taller rad. Im running a 160 stat.

How about electric fans? Are you guys running them, and if so what brand and part #?
 
TeamRedneck said:
So a seperate oil cooler is propably the way to go. Do you guys think my 454 will stay cool with the stock rad thats in there? It's ment for a 350 im pretty sure. It has the upper bracket that goes down, its not the taller rad. Im running a 160 stat.

How about electric fans? Are you guys running them, and if so what brand and part #?
Click to expand...

I have oil coolers if you want one, it goes in front of the radiator, like aftermarket tranny coolers.
Came from later model truck.
$20 plus shipping

As for the radiator you have, it might be OK but doin't run 160 stat, go up a little higher like 173 or 178, not for cooling purposes but for better fuel economy.
And having a lower Tstat will not make the engine run cooler, it will just delay the enevitable if you are having overheating problems.
By the way I have a 4 row radiator for a 454 equiped 74 truck
 
Hello again,

Thanks for the information. Does anyone out there know what the bracket(s) are that I would need and where to get them? Also, I think I would need a new set of the rubber cushions the radiator sits in.

Thanks again for the help!


imiceman44 said:
Your best option would be from a 73-80 truck with a 454 and A/C.
Stock they came with a 4 row tall radiator but you will need the top bracket with it since it was higher and bolts up in a different way.
Click to expand...
 
Found the LMC upper rad mount for the big rads:

Part number 32-0984
Cost 29.95
 
Thank you for that...I had seen that and thought it might be the one I needed. I wasn't 100% sure though. I only get to look at the truck on the weekends right now - I am storing it with family...unfortunately they are about an hour from where I am at the moment. It makes it hard to look at things like that when I want to.

Thanks again for the info!
 
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