Ordering new rad, confused about some things

[AmadeusCharger500]

I have a 71 charger needs a new radiator. The one in it now is a 26 inch wide 3 row that does not actually fit the opening. In fact a good percentage of the fins are covered by the outer edges of the radiator support. There are holes drilled in the support to mount it. Needless to say I would like to get the correct size but do not want to compromise cooling capacity as this is one of the reasons I am replacing it. So I found a good aluminum rad store that lists 2 different sizes for this year car. A 26" and a 22". The opening on the car measures 22 inch.   Will the 22 inch radiator be sufficient and is that my only choice anyway since that is the opening size.

Thanks
H

[Highbanked Hauler]

some big block cars came with a 22 in. radiators so depending on your motor a 22 in. could work.

[AmadeusCharger500]

A 26" will only be useful if the opening is cut out to allow airflow to the fins right?

[ACUDANUT]

All Mopars can accept a 26" radiator.  You might have to drill some new holes..Go for it.

[A383Wing]

yes....if your car came with a 22" core originally, you can put a 26" one in, but it would be best if you cut 4" out of the passenger side radiator core support area

I did this on my 66 big block car...had to cut 4" out of passenger side...drivers side used the same mounting bolt holes

Bryan

[ACUDANUT]

Never heard of having to cut anything.

[A383Wing]

you don't have to cut it if you don't want to..I was merely pointing out that a 26" rad is 4" wider than a 22" core....you can bolt it in if you want..it's your car, but there will be 4" of core support covering fins if radiator.

geez, try and help a guy out here

[Supercharged Riot]

you don't have to cut it if you don't want to..I was merely pointing out that a 26" rad is 4" wider than a 22" core....you can bolt it in if you want..it's your car, but there will be 4" of core support covering fins if radiator.

geez, try and help a guy out here

My car came the same way. previous owner cut away the passenger side of the radiator support. ill post pics of mine

[AmadeusCharger500]

The question I would have is. Does the 26 provide any benefit if the fins are covered with the radiator support.

Another question....does more rows equal more cooling...and is 4 better then 3. I've heard that it can actually be a detriment on some applications.

[firefighter3931]

Heath, have a look at a 2 row with 1in tubes....those work very well 



Ron

[A383Wing]

Heath, have a look at a 2 row with 1in tubes....those work very well 



Ron

that's what I put in all my Chargers...it holds more water than most 3 or 4 row radiators

Bryan

[Jderek]

Where can you get a 2 row with 1 inch tubes that doesn't require modification?

[Fred]

Where can you get a 2 row with 1 inch tubes that doesn't require modification?

From............

Griffin Aluminium Radiators

http://www.griffinrad.com/

[AmadeusCharger500]

I found one through the same company I had been looking at for the 3 and 4 row and ordered it. Thanks Ron, I take your advice!

[firefighter3931]

 



Ron

[AmadeusCharger500]

Ok back to square nothin. I put it in to test fit and it does not mount to the original holes plus none of the 3 shrouds I have layin around fit. I called a radiator guy in Wisconsin who was super helpful told me he would send me a shroud with the measurements I gave him. This after berating me for buying aluminum. He went through the trouble of sending me the shroud totally on honesty that I would pay him at Carlisle. Wow some people are super trusting and nice. Anyway I got the shroud in and its just impossible to get it to fit unless I shrink the clutch fan, drill new mounting holes, and cut the upper and lower hoses. Seems like Im workin backwards to cooling better so Im scrapping the 22" idea and going with 26 inch and cutting the rad support. There is an outline on the body of the car for this very thing.
So couple questions now. Should I recore the radiator that fit in the car ($450) or simply return the 22 inch aluminum for a 26 inch ($200). Both my local shop and the guy in Wi told me brass is way better than aluminum but the aluminum is half the price and comes with 2 row 1 inch tubes.

[A383Wing]

I went with the 2 row of 1" tube aluminum rads in my cars...26" in place of a 22" original one...drivers side mounts in the same holes, you will have to mark new passenger side holes and cut out approximately 4" of passenger side core support. I had a stock 26" shroud here...mounted to the holes provided in the aluminum radiator

Bryan

[AmadeusCharger500]

Bryan...your stock shroud fit on your aftermarket radiator?

[A383Wing]

yup....but I added studs to the radiator for the shroud...I did not like the idea of sheet metal screws so close to the core tubes.

I tapped the holes in the radiator to accept 1/4" x 20 studs, and used red loctite to keep them from coming out

Bryan