radiator help...'22 with shroud or '26 with no shroud?

[AKcharger]

Hi Guys

With our trip to Carlise I try to do some maintenance to my car, this time it's the radiator and brakes. Right now I have a '26 inch in it from a late model C-body I think. It's worked OK for a few years as long as I don't get in stop-n-go traffic, if I do I need to put on the heater full blast and pray that traffic moves before it over heats. So here's my questions:

- My car originally was a 383 4 bbl so I'm pretty sure it came with a '22 inch...is that right?
- Is a '22 inch with a proper shroud adequate for modern traffic? (motor is .030 9:1 compression)
- Is there any '26 radiators that will fit a '22 frame?
- Any souces for a radiator/shroud combo (besides that places that wants a $1000!!)
- current '26 is not correct and don't have a clue what shroud goes with it...i tried a couple and no good. I also don't have time tools to adapt an original '26, anyone got any ideas?

Thanks in advance

[bull]

It wouldn't necessarily have come with either a 22" or 26" based on the engine size/configuration. My 383 came with a 22" (some 440s did too) and some 318s came with a 26" radiator. Your build sheet and/or fender tag should address the cooling system your car is supposed to have, usually it had to do with your car having A/C or not but if your hole is for a 22" radiator it's safe to assume that's what it came with. A 22" would work fine so as long as it is functioning properly and it will work much better if it's been converted to a 3-row. If your hole is for a 26" radiator than it most likely came with a 26" radiator and a 22" radiator won't work unless you have some sort of blocking plate. Typically the opening was built for either 22" or 26" rads. If you have a 26" in there now you can either buy a new aluminum one or have yours (or another 26") rebuilt. There are many aluminum radiator choices for under $1,000, and many under $500 too. Having an original style radiator rebuilt with a 3-row core will probably cost about the same as you want to spend on a new one so that's a bit of a wash. Either way I would get a shroud and either way I would get at least a 3-row core. If the radiator is not the right one for the car you're not going to get a shroud to fit it.

If I were you and your car came with a 22" originally I would either try finding an original 22" radiator to rebuild or buy a 22" aluminum aftermarket replacement. And get a shroud for sure.

[69CoronetRT]

My 22'" two row would overheat in hot traffic. I put on a shroud and have had no trouble since. A shroud made a huge difference for me.

It may be chaper to try and find the right shroud and make sure the cooling systlem is working properly before pulling the radiator.

[bull]

Sounds like he has a 26" radiator in a 22" hole so there's going to be some issues with getting a shroud to fit.

[AKcharger]

No Build sheet but I'm sure the hole is only '22...any good sources for a '22?