All the local radiator shops around me have closed, and after a longer than anticipated wait I may be getting my new 350 engine and transmission in time to put the California together for the Nats. I don't really want to use an untested 53 year old original radiator with a new engine and transmission on the 900 mile drive down, but I don't really want to go with a plastic tank unit unless I have to. Looking for suggestions, even if it's run the plastic tank unit for now. I'm hoping there's a stock appearing option, most of my searches are coming up with "Out of stock."
I've been very happy with the Cold Case stamped aluminum OEM replacement in my 71 GS. Painted it black and it looks original, some very smart guys have looked right at it and not realized its aluminum. https://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/sto...MA42A&storeId=10001&catalogId=10002&langId=-1
DeWitt with the Black Ice option. https://www.opgi.com/cooling-heatin...s-direct-fit-aluminum-radiators3/dw39030.html
recore is nice but has gotten expensive! last one i had done (big ass old F-150) was almost $600. The plastic replacement was like $150. Another option is The Parts Place shows they have them for just under $600 and are usually pretty quick with shipping.
US Radiator : https://usradiator.com/ Copper/brass - Quality stuff! Edit - wow their prices have shot up - hold your breath! Standard - $850 Better - $1000
Ken , I bought a Dewitts radiator in December 2020, I have a 69 with a 350 engine / 350 turbo trans , Part # 32-1139030A or Part # 32-1239030A if you want the Black Ice paint , Tell them you are a V8 Buick member & give them Code Super 15 & they should give you 15% off..... Also order 4) 32-579 rubber mounts.... Really happy with mine , I think it looks as close to a factory radiator as you can get..... Good Luck.....
And that’s unpainted, add $150 for the black ice coating! So the Dewitt’s is $970, US radiator is $850, Cold Case is $390. Has anyone used this one from Parts Place?
I wouldn't use the Parts Place one. It says tubes are 5/8. With alum radiators, minimum tube size you should use is 1 inch. 1 1/4 would be better.
Has anyone heard of Engineered Cooling Products in Chicago? They list an aluminum 2 row 1" tube radiator for $297.00 https://speedcooling.com/product/19...MIyove8rr__QIV3_fjBx2rHAUOEAQYBCABEgJpSvD_BwE I sent them an email asking about availability, I should have also asked if they actually make them in house.
They were my other choice.. product looked great, had mixed reviews over quality. price was right though, and I knew someone that had one for a couple years and had no issues with it.....
I ordered a champion ae161 for my 70 big block car. Under $300 with shipping. I plan on painting it. I read some good reviews on it here on the board
This is what I did, too. Very happy with it as well. I got mine from Amazon, though... https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DR1R4LB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 The only mods I had to do where switch the rubber isolators from one side to the other and make a 1/2" spacers for where the fan shroud bolts to the upper radiator support. These are totally reversible.
My championed showed up today. I can see already the upper trans line will have to be adjusted but I can work with that. Fed exp destroyed the box in typical fed ex fashion.