Still using my DROP-IN no fitting from radiator barn,that I installed in February --in my GS455/72 still VERY cool at 2 clicks below half(185) on my factory gauge---it has been in 90 degree heat all week---cost was $105 delivered in 2 days. I realize it is NOT aluminum but does work. Unless you positively have to have aluminum it is a good replacement. Pete
OK here are some installed photos. Notice the slight offset. Its not noticable unless you get a real close up. I used an extra set of rubber mounts to take care of the 1" of the tank seam location. The other thing is I drilled a 3/4" hole in bottom of core support to clear a fitting on the bottom of the passenger side tank. Now the car never goes over 1/4 way on factory gage even on 90* day in traffic.
i want to buy this radiatr, and i am buying electric fans also, so this will not be an issue for me? although i will most likely have to drill the hole in the bottom for the plug thing.
I checked out radiator barn. Bought a 4 core radiator for my 68 from them. It was $162.48 shipped. The 3 core radiator was $105. I did not mess with the Aluminum radiator because I did not want to have to "make it fit". I also wanted it to look stock. Thanks for the info guys.
It was not a really big fab job and it cools way better than my original stock one. It looks good too.
with electric fans i would drill new holes for the top plate and center it over the radiator. withe the stock fan and shroud you can't move the top plate. also, the radiator i got from summit didn't have the fitting on the bottom of the tank. only the drain in sthe stock location.
There are aluminum radiators that are a direct bolt-in for our GS's. What makes the Summit one we're talking about here so attractive is the price is about 1/2 of what a direct bolt-in one is. No, it is not a big fab job to make Summit's work, but some people wouldn't like it. Many of us can't keep our "warmed-up" 455's cool with a stock radiator, even a 4-row.
That's because currently available, standard replacement 4-rows suffer from reduced tube density and fin count as a result of efforts to keep costs down.
Got mine today, 254 to my door. Have not put it in, but I am impressed for the price and size and looks alone. Hopefully it will keep the big block nice and cool. Also going to hook up the tranny to see how that does before I go externally cooled.
Joe I painted my tanks black with grill paint. Gives it a nice stock look. There is a fitting on the bottom. On mine I drilled a hole in the bottm of the core support to clear it.
Dino - Thanks for the reply. I thought this thing fit like a glove relatively. All I had to do is drill some new pilot holes in the core support top and bottom to relocate the rubber shims. I shifted the whole top support over as well. In fact, it looks better cause it is now centered and old holes are not in view. I took a dremmel tool to carve the rubber cradle pieces out to accomodate the thicker rad core. Have not ran it yet, but all in all I am happy so far with this thing as a whole. I am going to hold off on the external tranny cooler just to see how it performs. Thanks for listing the part number and your experience, this kind of info is the best.
Joe, I took the Stage 1 out today. Had a nice ride and don't have to worry about overheat. Glad you like the install. It seems to be a quality unit and does the job. I want to post some pictures but cant figure out how.
It is update day since I finally had it on the road Saturday. This thing rocks. As for the radiator, I love it. It kepted my sh!t cooler than the otherside of the pillow. I have never seen my guage that low. I also installed a B&M super cooler too, tranny did well temp wise also.
I feel the same way. It runs cool as a cucumber. Last summer in heavy traffic the needle never inched up. Car feels like it runs better cooler too, and I have a really big cam.
Has anyone tried this radiator on a 1971 Riv? If so what are any problems that you had with installation or fit? Thanks
I didn't read this thread, but I bought the same radiator from Summit and its now in the car. (BTW the single core 350 rad. does not cool a 455!) Temp installed with the mechanical fan but I am going electric. Its good to know I wasn't the only one with the cushion spacing issue. Does someone out there have the part number/ some pics of their electric fan set up? Does the top plate go away when doing it? How much fab will it require? A couple of people mentioned they had done it with this radiator. There are so many options out there it's mind boggling! Any input is appreciated! Thanks for the help! Clint
