How many row core is an 053 22" radiator?

[resq302]

I just picked up what appears to be an original 053 22" radiator 2 row core for my 69 Charger.  The current radiator I have in my car right now is a 3 row core 22" rad and has part number 2998960 with the chrysler star on it.  My concern is that my car might over heat with a 2 row core.  For some reason, I seem to remember that the 053 was a 3 core rad, not a 2 core like the one I got.  Did they have both versions?  Would I be ok getting a high effeciency (more tubes but closer together) 2 row core or should I take the bottom tank from the 3 row and have the top tank grafted onto the 3 row rad?

The charger is a 383 HP 4 bbl engine bored .30" over and has a mild cam in it.  The car has no A/C but does have power steering and power disc brakes. 

Would I be able to get away with a 2 core in my car?

Any one that knows cooling systems or info on this, input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Brian

[bull]

I think I'd have it rebuilt to a 3 or 4 core. Any radiator place worth a hoot will be able to accomplish the task and make it look stock by retaining the original sides and top and bottom tank. The 2-row radiators never did a great job of cooling.

I'm curious about what came with what from the factory now too. I have the original 22' out of my 383/2bbl/4spd '68 and I was told it's a 2-core.

[Rolling_Thunder]

my 26" rad was a 2 core as well i believe...    I had it rebuilt with 3 cores and it cools big time

[resq302]

I think I'd have it rebuilt to a 3 or 4 core. Any radiator place worth a hoot will be able to accomplish the task and make it look stock by retaining the original sides and top and bottom tank. The 2-row radiators never did a great job of cooling.

I'm curious about what came with what from the factory now too. I have the original 22' out of my 383/2bbl/4spd '68 and I was told it's a 2-core.

Bull,

The problem 2 local rad shops are having is that the top tank has plenty of room to add rows, but the bottom tank has no room to expand and add rows.  Their solution is to go with a high effeciency core which basically moves the centers of the tubes closer and gives you more tubes per row.  Basically a high effeciancy 2 row core is equal to the cooling capacity of a 3 row core.  So I guess my only option to keep it stock appearing would be to go with a standard 2 row (which I am not doing) or go with the high effeciency 2 row which equals basically a 3 row.

[hemigeno]

I thought the efficiency of a core was related to the spacing of the fins per inch, moreso than the # of tubes?  I figure they're somewhat related, but don't forget to have the shop give you the options on the fin spacing too.

Why couldn't they swap out the bottom tank to a wider unit and then do a 3 row core conversion for you?  The extra row is added on the radiator yoke side of the top tank, keeping the same distance between the fan/clutch and the radiator, and your top tank would have the correct number to keep the purists at bay.  I have considered doing that on the 2-core 055 radiator that my Daytona came with.  Why on earth they didn't put a 3 row radiator in an overheating-prone car like the Daytona is beyond me.

Geno