mat1227

No longer available on RockAuto, so I guess we bought all of the stock they had.


Thought I would let everyone know, I found a new radiator for our 71 Cutlass, at Rock Auto. Is on closeout and very cheap, thought I would take a chance and order it even though it says it has plastic tanks, online everywhere else it listed as a brass & copper unit, I could always return it if it was junk. received it in a few days, is really nice, all brass and copper, 4 core radiator, exact same dimensions as my original except I have to change the perches to accept a 3.5" wide tank. It's listed under 1971 cutlass with a 350.
You won't beat the price $59.84 my shipping was $13.99. still very cheap for a good radiator. Brand and P/N Vista-Pro 433165

http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/o...,radiator,2172

Mark

David DeCan

Thanks for the heads up on the radiator Matt. Your application was a 71 350 I believe.

Here is the question--is there any difference from 71 to 70 and 350 to 455? My application is a 70 455 automatic. Looking for 4 core.

I did search on RockAuto for 70 455 and the 4 core you mention did not come up. Then I did a search for 71 455 and the radiator you mention came up for $59 and change.

With that said--is there any difference between a 70 and 71 radiator? What about 350 to 455? In a Cutlass.

Thanks.

mat1227

David: I don't believe there is any difference between a 70 and 71, Rock Auto search is kind of odd, it doesn't even show up for a 71 442 with a 350. It's all in there programming search function. I'm sure it will fit a 70 455, it has 1 9/16 in and out fitting, I tried my new hoses with 1 1/2 ends goes on easily.
Search for a 71 Cutlass with a 350, it doesn't even come up under Cutlass Supreme.

mat1227

David: All 3 of the radiators that are listed for your 70 455 are also listed for my 71 Cutlass 350 also, I'm sure this Vista-Pro radiator for $59 will fit your 70 455, it does have an auto cooler also has a heater hose return port if you need it, and another pipe plug port if you want to put a temp gauge in the radiator.

Mr Shifty Sidney

The radiator hoses are different sizes from 70 to 71.

Don W

RROLDSX

Just ordered one for my 1969 442. It indicated 165 in the number so I took a chance it was the same one as CU165 for my application. I'm hoping the shroud will fit.

RetroRanger

^^^^this ....the lower hose on the 70 is larger you could use a correct dimension 71-72 water pump and 71-72 lower hose and have no problems.

Magna86

Yep it's the same as the CU 165. I just ordered 2 of them to put on the shelf for my cars cheaper than the last Spectre one I bought 20% off from Autozone. Thanks for the heads up

z11375ss

So, even with a 4 core, how much cool air is hitting that fourth row? IMO ponying up and getting the aluminum super efficient radiator is the way to go. Just my 2 cents. Although that radiator is wayyy more than two cents!

my72olds

This is right on time as I was just getting ready to put my motor and trans back in the car and have been radiator shopping off and on for a couple weeks now. For 67$ to my door shoot I almost want to buy two of them.... Thanks for the info ....

mat1227

I did buy 2, Bought 1 to make sure it was what I thought it was (brass/copper 4 core) then I ordered another as a back up. You never know what could happen to a radiator.
Mark

MDchanic

Bought mine.

- Eric

jpc647

If this is the same dimensions as the OEM, will the regular top plate fit, and the purches down on the core support need to be changed?

I need a radiator, and the $100+ savings would offset the changes needed, but I thought It'd ask.

The hose sizes are the same? What's the extra opening on the right side directly below the cap?

Fun71

Heater hose fitting for different applications (likely Chevelle).

David DeCan

If you search the Rock Auto parts catalog this radiator comes up for 71 Cutlass/442 455.

RocketDevo

It is a great price, but the radiator Rock Auto is selling is a generic universal type. It has the extra outlet for pick up truck use, and the bottom rad hose fitting is flared for different years. The transmission cooler is also not as large as original OEM 442 applications. It works for Cutlass/442 but it is not correct.

joe_padavano

Yeah, but for $75 delivered, it's hard to beat for a driver-ish car. I figured I'd put one of the two I ordered in the 72 that I'm building as a daily driver. The Chevy heater hose port is problematic, however. I have this problem with the radiator in my wife's 85 D88. The caps that they sell to close this off all seem to crack after about six months. Might be worth having it cut off and soldered shut.

mat1227

Mine is installed, yes I know not everything is hooked up yet, the car doesn't have a front clip yet on it either.

Eddie Hansen

Matt could you detail how you went about dealing with the extra outlet for the heater hose that was mentioned? I am wondering what the solution would be besides some kind of plug? or is it possible I could solder a copper cap with some silver plumbing solder myself?

mat1227

The radiator actually came with a cap and clamp to plug the extra port. but I do like the idea of soldering a cap on it.

Eddie Hansen

Hmmm Just wondering if this can be done at home with a torch and silver solder? put a heat sink on the tank side trim the tube back some? I certainly don't like the look of it LOL.

anthonyP

The Rock Auto radiator is taller than the stock radiator?

joe_padavano

Not in this view:

anthonyP

Thanks Joe, I just ordered one. Only two left in stock.

RonFX

Guys:
I ordered one from Autozone for my 66 Cutlass project, when it arrived it was an OEM brass unit as well, it was less than $150.00 tax included. Mine was a CU165 Spectre Premium unit, it fit with no problems.
Thanks, Ron

mat1227

Radiator is not taller the perches I got were taller,

mat1227

Appears to all sold out now.

my72olds

Well I just got mine in today and I knew I should have order two.
Snooze ya loose I guess .

RonFX

Guys:
I bought an extra yesterday, it should be here next week. I saw these on Rockauto before I ordered mine from Autozone, but was afraid I would get a plastic / aluminum even though it showed a brass unit. The Autozone guys told me I did not have to keep the one I ordered, if it was not a brass unit, that way I would not be out return shipping and the hassle w/ Rockauto.
Thanks, Ron

MDchanic

To whoever asked about the spacing of the cooling elements:

The fins are 6 to 6½ per inch, going across horizontally, and
the tubes are 2½ per inch (exactly 5 in 2"), going vertically.

The extra hose barb is ¾"OD, with a wider barb ridge, so a pipe cap will not fit over it.

- Eric

76olds

Can't go wrong with that price, I'm thinking a local rad shop must have went out of business and the sales guys at rock auto picked them up cheap.
Dam, just to tear down, sandblast the tanks, and the amount of solder to recore plus the copper core would be at least the selling price .
Someone lost on the deal, good to see them go to the Olds guys here. Wicked deal.
Eric's dimensions with respect to tubes and fins/inch make up for a very good core.

Fun71

Thanks for the info. I was also wondering how many tubes are in each row.

Gary M

I'm going to ask a radiator shop I know if they can remove the hose bib and cover the hole with a square piece of same metal. If not what would be his best suggestion without erasing the savings I got on this deal.

Fun71

A local radiator shop charged me $15 to change the lower hose nipple to the correct size so I wouldn't think blocking that heater hose connection would cost very much.

jpc647

Well I guess I should have bought one of these.

Oh well. Looks like my original 2 core will have to survive a while longer until another deal comes along.

olds 307 and 403

What were the rad options for these cars? I thought there were just 3 and 4 core rads available from the factory?

MDchanic

I'm too lazy to look it up (plus I'm at work), but, in general,
small blocks without A/C got 2-cores,
small blocks with A/C and big blocks without A/C got 3-cores, and
big blocks with A/C, as well as towing packages, and the hi-po motors got 4-cores.

- Eric

Koda

Sounds right, and I think 4 cores started in 68 or later.

jpc647

Can I assume the 2 core, and 3 core radiators used the same top plate/saddles?


Seeing as this deal is sold out, it'd be happy to purchase a good 3 core from someone if it bolts right in. My 2 core cools my car just fine, it doesn't overheat and I've gotten stuck in traffic at 80*+ outside temps.


More of a preventative measure, as my radiator is old, and It'd hate for it to start leaking.

MDchanic

Yes you can, and you would be correct if you did.



Which is (unsurprising) evidence that GM sized their radiators correctly when they made these cars, and that most of the cooling system modifications performed by current owners are wild overkill.

- Eric