So my 1970 Delta 88 (455 motor totally stock) has been overheating at highway RPMs. It gets up to 235 degrees pretty fast and boils the coolant over. but isn't too bad off the highway. I'm replacing the radiator with an aluminum Champion 3 row (CC161). Because it's got the original brass radiator now. So I figure I should start here to fix my overheating. Just trying to get some tips from people who have installed aftermarket aluminum radiators before I dive into it. Is it a pretty straight forward install? I measured the new one and it should fit very close to the OEM one. also the lower hose mount is 1.5" on the new radiator. and the original hose is 1.75". so I've been debating just getting a set of those stainless flex hoses to replace the upper and lower hoses. opinions in these? do they flow good? I like the idea of not having to worry about the lower hose collapsing at speed with the rigid hose. anyway any tips and opinions on installation and the best parts to use would be very appreciated. thanks guys.

 

If the dimensions are the same on your new radiator, it should just slip into the saddles and install the same way as your stock one. You may have to fab something for your shroud. If your hose is not collapsing now, it won't in the future.

These slip on hose adapters are available through your local auto parts store also.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/a...ar-performance

 

Sounds like you are looking at a 71-up radiator instead of a 70-older radiator. There was a change in the diameter of the water pump hose nipple and the radiator outlet hose nipple at that time.

 

If you have to get adapter parts or hose's to fit your application, its not the right radiator.
I'm sure you can make it work though.

Important things I'm sure you've considered are:
Over all size
Ability to fit the existing saddles in the lower and upper cover areas.
Hose inlet and exit sizes...and their locations.

Considering your screen name, and the application, why not just go to your local auto parts store and get a replacement> for prabably half..or close to it, in price. I can only assume that plastic tanks turn you off.

Both directions are totally doable.

I'm a guy that thinks if I break down on the road somewhere later on down the road, how else am I to get a proper application replacement? Regardless of part,If your application doesn't fit what you have, the jokers behind the counter aren't going to be much help.

 

The plastic radiators have the same issue, a 1.5 in lower hose bib.

 

Ok, I'll believe you..

 

Yeah I wanted to get an all aluminum one because after lots and lots of research its what most people recommend for the best cooling. and it was only like $40 more then most of the OEM replacement ones. I'm running a stock setup, and the car is way past the point of ever being a restoration car. so I don't really care about keeping everything original. I just want it to run happy so I can enjoy it and one reason I was looking at the stainless steel flex hoses is that the kits come with the adapters so I can make the lower hose work. I just know nothing about them, or if they are a bad idea compared to using an adapter and the OEM hose.

 

I haven't seen many of the guys at car shows with the stainless steel flex hoses, however that's not to say they aren't much good.
I prefer the original rad hoses and find the adaptors that Oldcutlass posted above work well.
I managed to make a custom Be-Cool rad fit into my 1976 Olds . A bit of work removing the original rad cradles etc but the aluminium rad's do work well.
I think the members posts above will get you up and running cooler very soon.
Cheers
Eric

 

This when i rebuilt my 455 i put a 70 spec water pump on it not thinking my 72 rad nipple was smaller, i used the adapter pictured above w no issues and opened up my potential donor radiators for the future.