I have a 72 Cutlass with a factory 3 core radiator. It leaks pretty bad and the local shop wants $300 to recore it. I know any A body 69-72 3 core should fit, but are there any other years? I just want to broaden my search for a decent used radiator. I know cheap is the wrong word for classic cars but I really just want to get it through this summers show season because I plan on pulling the engine this fall to freshen it up. I've been looking since last summer with no luck.

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

I can't find a reference to it now (which is annoying), but there is an aluminum plastic-tank radiator sold by the major chains that will fit and cool your car fine, and if I recall, it's about $130.

That'd be my choice in your position.

- Eric

 

The radiators from 69 - 72 are not the same. They have different size inlet/outlets for the radiator hoses. Some of the replacement radiators have bushings to compensate for the different hose sizes. I would recommend getting a direct replacement. You will have fewer headaches. I think 71/72 will interchange. On the three core radiators the fill neck on the 71 is straight while the 72 is slanted. The inlets/outlets for the hoses should be the same though.
Don W

 

In all honesty, I don't think that's a bad price to re-core the rad considering the price of new radiators now and the work involved to re-core the original.

Best thing about getting it re-cored is that it's guaranteed to have the proper inlets and mounting since the tanks get re-used. OEM was brass tanks and copper core. Is that what they quoted you for? If yes, it's a reasonable deal.

 

I may have an aftermarket one you could use until you get the original re-done. If your interested send me a message on Saturday and I'll get some photos for you. John

 

Hollander shows that 6 different radiators were used in the 1972 Cutlass. Two of them have interchanges with Buick & Chevrolet. The remainder are Olds only. None show any interchanges before 1972. There are no references to number of tubes. They reference part numbers, engines, A/C, H.D., & axle ratios.

 

You could check radiator barn; they have both copper/brass and aluminum/plastic radiators at decent prices.

 

Hollander also says that only Oldsmobile disk brake spindles will fit, yet we all know from firsthand experience that any A-body disk brake spindles can be used. Hollander is sometimes overly conservative in their interchange lists.

 

Did I miss something? I thought the OP was going to pull and redo his engine anyway. Why cheap out on cooling when it's going to need it on the new rebuilt engine? Last thing in the world I'd want is to cheap out and break down somewhere with an overheated or possibly blown head gasket. Cheap vs. safe is not an option for me. Just sayin.

 

This is true. Usually the times I have seen Hollander make a recommendation between different part numbers is when they get multiple "field" reports that such an interchange is possible. Other radiators probably could be made to work. But since Rocketdriver is looking for a used radiator and "any help would be much appreciated", I thought that I should provide the data (for whatever it may be worth). Finding a good used "original" radiator that fits properly, at this point, may prove to be a real challenge.

 

Thanks for all of the replies. I forgot about this thread and left you guys hanging. I haven't even gotten around to messing with it. I'm too busy with work and kids baseball stuff. I still have some research to do. The engine should be hopped up a little more so I might convert to a 4 core. Nothings set in stone though.

 

4 core vs. 2 or 3 core is another can of worms. Search past posts and you'll find lots of opinions on the cooling power. I put in the four core insert using the 2 core tanks (to keep from having to cut off and weld wider saddles on the support frame that holds the radiator in) and saw little difference in cooling at stop lights with A/C on. I still heat up. I even added water wetter cooling product. Some say aluminum will cool best if you don't care about originality of extra cost. Let us know how it goes when you finish. Good luck.