26" 054 Radiators?

[69fuchs]

Part and casting book   383,440, hemi no ac with max cooling- a31,a32,a33,a34,a36 all would have a 054   auto or manual trans.   A little off topic, but I got my 048 radiator for my 68 hemi charger out of a 68 383 super bee 383 4 speed 355 gear car.   That car was another numbers match car, so I would assume the 048 was original to that car as well.

[Afflyer]

  At least you guys have GOT your build sheets!!!  

[RT/SE]

My 69 440 RT/SE has the A33 package and the original radiator is an 055

[69fuchs]

Ive had my track pak 69 for 17 years, still needs resto, and still has its 054,  my buddy has had his 69 coronet rt track pak for 24 years, it also has 054.  on the assembly line anything can happen. chrysler would not shut down the production line because they were out of 054 radiators. They would put in a 055. There is no doubt in my mind, and I've seen original cars that "should" have 054s that have 055s.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Ive had my track pak 69 for 17 years, still needs resto, and still has its 054, my buddy has had his 69 coronet rt track pak for 24 years, it also has 054. on the assembly line anything can happen. chrysler would not shut down the production line because they were out of 054 radiators. They would put in a 055. There is no doubt in my mind, and I've seen original cars that "should" have 054s that have 055s.

True but what is on the build sheet?

[Charger4404spd]

Ive had my track pak 69 for 17 years, still needs resto, and still has its 054, my buddy has had his 69 coronet rt track pak for 24 years, it also has 054. on the assembly line anything can happen. chrysler would not shut down the production line because they were out of 054 radiators. They would put in a 055. There is no doubt in my mind, and I've seen original cars that "should" have 054s that have 055s.

True but what is on the build sheet?

Mine is a Track Pack and 055 is on the buildsheet.
I'll agree though, from everything I have read, anything was possible back then on the assembly line. Wished they had messed up on my fendertag and coded it for a hemi!

[69fuchs]

That I can't tell ya.  I don't have a build sheet for my car, but I can sure check with my buddies.  The a12 car with 055 is the one that I am most interested to see.  That one should have 054 on the build sheet,  but the owner is certain it came with a 055.  That car is buried in a shed (very difficult to get to).  The track pak 69 coronet rt is a phone call away so I will try him tomarrow.

[69fuchs]

I just thought of another track pak 69 hemi charger rt, that has a 054 radiator, and the build sheet is with that car.  The guys that do my body work in Ia are finishing the restoration on that car, and I can check with them to see what the build sheet says.

[hemigeno]

Hemicars got the 054 radiator, even though the car might have the standard axle package.

My 3.54 4-speed Daytona has the 055 radiator coded on the build sheet (like another mentioned in this thread), which is absolutely mind-boggling considering the postage-stamp size fresh air openings in that nose.

[69fuchs]

I guess a person can learn something new every day.  I would not have believed that a 055 would have been on the build sheet of a four speed 440 car.  And yet, there are several, just on this post.  never say never!!!  I pay close attention to radiators on original cars ( mainly 68-70)  and almost all the time the 69 track pak cars I have seen have had 054 radiators. PS I'm still waiting for my buddy with the coronet r/t to get back to me with his build sheet!!  I do have the build sheet for my former 68 gtx, which is a 440,4 speed,354 dana and the build sheet calls for the 048 radiator which is the max cool radiator for 1968!!! But I am not sure if there was a 4.10 option in '68

[69fuchs]

Just another small "kink"  the standard radiator for a 69 dodge charger rt is a 053 22" pos.  That is what is in my original car with buildsheet.  3.23 gears, disc brakes, a 440 and a puny 22" radiator. Life ain't fair.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Another question to stir the pot...........

What exactly is the difference between an 054 and an 055 radiator except for 1 digit?

[Charger4404spd]

Another question to stir the pot...........

What exactly is the difference between an 054 and an 055 radiator except for 1 digit?

I was wondering the same thing.

[69fuchs]

I think the bottom tank on a 055 is not as thick as a 054. That is to say you cant fit as many rows of cooling fins in a 055 as you can in a 054.  I also got hold of my buddy with the track pak 69 coronet rt, he doesn't have a build sheet either!!!!  He will also argue to the death that it is an original 054 radiator car, but how can he prove it?   I still find it odd that there are so many track pak cars out there with 054 radiators.  If they were spec'd out with 055 on the build sheet, what are the odds of a lot of them ending up with 054s later in their lives, and where did all the 054s come from??

[calchargerRT]

Anyone know what the most likely radiator came in my 1970 Charger RT, 440 auto, non air car. It has 22" radiator, wondering if it coul dbe orginial or if should have had 26", or was 26" only mandatory for 4 speed or 6 pack or hemi? Thanks

Ian

[694spdRT]

Another question to stir the pot...........

What exactly is the difference between an 054 and an 055 radiator except for 1 digit?

I think that was one of the questions that started all of this.   

[694spdRT]

Anyone know what the most likely radiator came in my 1970 Charger RT, 440 auto, non air car. It has 22" radiator, wondering if it coul dbe orginial or if should have had 26", or was 26" only mandatory for 4 speed or 6 pack or hemi? Thanks

Ian

If you don't have your buildsheet or fender tag the best bet is what size radiator support is? The 22" radiator support has a smaller opening than a 26" support.(at least in 68-69)

If you car came with a 26" radiator the support would have gaps on the sides with a 22" radiator installed. This is true unless the front end were damaged at some point and the support was changed. In that case the body numbers on the support would likely not match your Vin#

[hemigeno]

I spent some time with a flashlight and tape measure on my two cars, which happen to be here in the shop together.

The 054 & 055 radiators have a top tank that is identical (except for the stamping, of course)

The 054 has a bottom tank that is approximately 2-1/2" wide

The 055 has a bottom tank that is approximately 1-3/4" wide

The 054 has 3 radiator core rows

The 055 has 2 radiator core rows

Both have the stubs for the automatic transmission cooler, although both of my cars are 4-speeds (means the stubs are there, whether its a 4-speed or not)

The 055's 2 cores are not centered in the top tank, they are set rearward.  The "missing" core (as compared to an 054) is on the front side of the radiator, towards the radiator core support, meaning that the 054 & 055 radiator cores are exactly the same distance away from the fan blades.

Incidentally, mice can build a nest inside an empty 055 radiator, if the cap is left off for 22 years...   


Geno

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

So Geno, can an 055 radiator be recored to acept 3 cores or only 2?

If not Im not even going to bother to find one.....my 3 core Modine will just have to do

[hemigeno]

So Geno, can an 055 radiator be recored to acept 3 cores or only 2?

If not Im not even going to bother to find one.....my 3 core Modine will just have to do

Not without replacing the bottom tank.  No one looks at those, so you could probably get away with it.  I'm considering doing the same with my Daytona, quite honestly.  If someone really knew their stuff, they could still eyeball the distance between the core support and the first row of cores, and see that a 3-row core was in the car.  NOT a likely scenario. 

I assume that a radiator shop could take an 055 top tank, and fit it to a 3-row core, and they should be able to furnish a new 3-row capacity bottom tank too.  Seems like a simple swap to me, although I would be very curious to hear how it goes if you do try it.

[Charger4404spd]

I spent some time with a flashlight and tape measure on my two cars, which happen to be here in the shop together.

The 054 & 055 radiators have a top tank that is identical (except for the stamping, of course)

The 054 has a bottom tank that is approximately 2-1/2" wide

The 055 has a bottom tank that is approximately 1-3/4" wide

The 054 has 3 radiator core rows

The 055 has 2 radiator core rows

Both have the stubs for the automatic transmission cooler, although both of my cars are 4-speeds (means the stubs are there, whether its a 4-speed or not)

The 055's 2 cores are not centered in the top tank, they are set rearward.  The "missing" core (as compared to an 054) is on the front side of the radiator, towards the radiator core support, meaning that the 054 & 055 radiator cores are exactly the same distance away from the fan blades.

Incidentally, mice can build a nest inside an empty 055 radiator, if the cap is left off for 22 years...   


Geno

Very interesting. You'd think any car with max cooling would have the 3 core.

[hemigeno]

Very interesting. You'd think any car with max cooling would have the 3 core.

I just dug through some old paperwork from 1998, when GG sent me some info on my R/T right after I bought it.   Among other things, he lists the following:

A33 TRACK PAK:
D56      3.54:1 ratio w/9.75" DANA 60 Axle,
D91      Sure Grip Differential,
             Medium Cooling Package - less fan,      2949055
             Includes:   26" Width Radiator w/Fan Shroud, and Power Steering Cooler (If equipped),
N65      7 Blade Torque Drive Fan
S15      HEMI Suspension w/Front Sway Bar
S25      Firm Ride Shock Absorbers


That's the first I remember seeing anything about Medium Cooling Package, but it makes perfect sense.   My car's equipment list was later modified to include Maximum Cooling (054 radiator) because of the E74 Hemi engine.

If we have summarized this correctly (for 1969, anyway)...

A 440/auto/non-AC car would have a 22"   053 radiator (Standard Cooling)
A 440/auto/AC car would have a 26" 055 radiator (Medium Cooling)
A 440/4-speed car would have a 26" 055 radiator (Medium Cooling)
A 426 auto or 4-speed car would have a 26" 054 radiator (Maximum Cooling)

Any of the above combinations (except for the last) could be upgraded by the addition of the N51 Maximum Cooling package, and that would be coded only on the Broadcast Sheet.

Hope this helps!

Geno

[69fuchs]

Yes, you can change the bottom tank on a 055 to the thicker style---if you can find one!!! They are getting tough to find, but Some of the c-body radiator bottoms would probably do the trick.   Or else, you could call Glen-Ray radiators in Wausau, Wi.   They have complete, new radiators, with the number of your choice, date coded side brackets etc.   Expensive, but cheaper than the used junk on e-bay!!!   And yes, they are licensed by mopar.

[Charger4404spd]

Very interesting. You'd think any car with max cooling would have the 3 core.

I just dug through some old paperwork from 1998, when GG sent me some info on my R/T right after I bought it.  Among other things, he lists the following:

A33 TRACK PAK:
D56    3.54:1 ratio w/9.75" DANA 60 Axle,
D91    Sure Grip Differential,
         Medium Cooling Package - less fan,    2949055
         Includes:  26" Width Radiator w/Fan Shroud, and Power Steering Cooler (If equipped),
N65    7 Blade Torque Drive Fan
S15    HEMI Suspension w/Front Sway Bar
S25    Firm Ride Shock Absorbers


That's the first I remember seeing anything about Medium Cooling Package, but it makes perfect sense.  My car's equipment list was later modified to include Maximum Cooling (054 radiator) because of the E74 Hemi engine.

If we have summarized this correctly (for 1969, anyway)...

A 440/auto/non-AC car would have a 22"  053 radiator (Standard Cooling)
A 440/auto/AC car would have a 26" 055 radiator (Medium Cooling)
A 440/4-speed car would have a 26" 055 radiator (Medium Cooling)
A 426 auto or 4-speed car would have a 26" 054 radiator (Maximum Cooling)

Any of the above combinations (except for the last) could be upgraded by the addition of the N51 Maximum Cooling package, and that would be coded only on the Broadcast Sheet.

Hope this helps!

Geno

Thats some good info, I guess that pretty much sums up the radiator theories.

So, now on to the power steering coolers............was that a stand alone option?

[694spdRT]

Yes, you can change the bottom tank on a 055 to the thicker style---if you can find one!!! They are getting tough to find, but Some of the c-body radiator bottoms would probably do the trick.  Or else, you could call Glen-Ray radiators in Wausau, Wi.  They have complete, new radiators, with the number of your choice, date coded side brackets etc.  Expensive, but cheaper than the used junk on e-bay!!!  And yes, they are licensed by mopar.

I had heard rumors of repo tanks being made recently...he must be the one and did he just start doing these in the last year or so?