70 Cutlass Radiator Options
July 18th, 2016, 07:14 PM
#1
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Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 19
70 Cutlass Radiator Options
I'm in the market for a new radiator. I have a four core now but it's just about had it. I had it repaired about 5 years ago and the tanks are just beginning to weep a little. I know it has a 17" x 28 3/8", 2 5/8" thick. I'm really looking for an aluminum drop in replacement but can't seem to find one. Other than the OPGI OEM replacement (not aluminum), anybody seen any other options out there? I've checked Griffin, BeCool, and OSC. By the by, I have an AT. I wouldn't mind using an external trans cooler but I would prefer not.
July 19th, 2016, 02:14 AM
#2
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: West Hartford, CT
Posts: 1,420
Griffin 8-70008 is a drop in & has correct size lower hose nipple. Not necessarily a recommendation as mine leaked @ tank connection after 3 years. Contacted them through web site & never heard back. It fit & cooled well, I was looking for maybe 50% help for a replacement as it was out of warranty on time but couldn't have had 5000 miles on it.
Reviews are mixed on Griffin's radiators. Too bad, I liked that radiator but don't want to spend $400 & get left w/ another piece of scrap. 4 row brass/copper back in the car getting the job done, just not quite as efficiently or effortlessly it seems.
Reviews are mixed on Griffin's radiators. Too bad, I liked that radiator but don't want to spend $400 & get left w/ another piece of scrap. 4 row brass/copper back in the car getting the job done, just not quite as efficiently or effortlessly it seems.
August 3rd, 2016, 07:19 PM
#3
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Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 19
**UPDATE**
I checked, rechecked, and checked again. I bought a Champion MC161, it's a four core all aluminum almost identical to the OEM. I don't want hate mail, I know it's made in China but it was $260 delivered from Amazon. There are a couple of things to know, one, it's a tick shorter than the OEM in height, about 1/8" to 3/16". (Basically because the tanks have flatter edges) I shimmed my lower saddles with 1/8 aluminum spacers and it fit perfect. Two, the lower hose is 1 1/2" sized for the OEM 455CID, I think. The 350 rocket lower radiator hose was 1 3'4" so you need a hose adaptor. I used a Gates hose reducer #26391 to make up the difference. I had a four core and replaced it with a four core because I have a 3 1/2" saddles. They make a 3 core and a 2 core if you have the smaller saddles and don't want to replace them. My temperature dropped 15 degrees, but it'searly to tell how well it will hold up. Hope this help guys looking for alternatives.
I checked, rechecked, and checked again. I bought a Champion MC161, it's a four core all aluminum almost identical to the OEM. I don't want hate mail, I know it's made in China but it was $260 delivered from Amazon. There are a couple of things to know, one, it's a tick shorter than the OEM in height, about 1/8" to 3/16". (Basically because the tanks have flatter edges) I shimmed my lower saddles with 1/8 aluminum spacers and it fit perfect. Two, the lower hose is 1 1/2" sized for the OEM 455CID, I think. The 350 rocket lower radiator hose was 1 3'4" so you need a hose adaptor. I used a Gates hose reducer #26391 to make up the difference. I had a four core and replaced it with a four core because I have a 3 1/2" saddles. They make a 3 core and a 2 core if you have the smaller saddles and don't want to replace them. My temperature dropped 15 degrees, but it'searly to tell how well it will hold up. Hope this help guys looking for alternatives.
August 3rd, 2016, 08:28 PM
#4
72 Olds CS
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 6,657
good info thanks I may be going this route as well i have a 3 core in mine that so far runs a little hotter than i want...200-225 it was fine w an SBO but now i have a BBO and might need some more cooling capacity
BTW the lower hose size changed to the smaller diameter for 71-72 the earlier cars were 1.75
BTW the lower hose size changed to the smaller diameter for 71-72 the earlier cars were 1.75
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