I have attached a photo of two Radiator top plates. The lower one I got for my 72 Supreme project from Entolds. The upper is from my 70 Vista Cruiser. Does anyone know why the flanges that hold the radiator rubber cushions is longer from my Vista vs the one from the 72? Both are for AC cars with 2-3 core radiators.

Thanks,
Dave

 

Dave, do they look the same everywhere else? I wonder if the rad tanks were different 70-72?

 

Erik,

Yes they are identical in every other way. The one I got from you is identical all the way to my original. The one from my 70 Vista is probably nicer than the one I got from you so was thinking about using it instead till I noticed the differences. Yours is fine but will be powder coating and it has its share of inward scale from rust. I'm just so darn ****!!! LOL

 

I'm not sure why their different, but I've got some of each style. So its not a single odd ball one but a difference in year or application for some reason.

John

 

Welcome to this age old question. I ran into the same problem when I was putting my 72 back together. bought a refurbished Harrison radiator from a reputable company, got it home, found my top plate would not fit its mismatched left and right tank widths. My original had the same width on both sides. urghhhh. needless to say, I had a tank I could do nothing with. I am sure it has something to do with heavy duty cooling but you would think both sides would be same width.

 

Rocketman, I believe you got a radiator from a full sized car as they made two sized tanks vs. the A-bodies that had same sized tanks. From the pictures I think Dave has the same sized tanks but the "saddles" that fit over the tanks are different in how far they go down over the tanks.

 

2blu442 Thats exactly what I'm wondering why the saddles extend so much farther down the sides of the tank. Again this is from my 70 Vista which I believe to be original top plate. Rad has been replaced for sure. Just want to know if I can stick it on my 72 and it will be correct.

 

You might look for a couple active members who've got 1972's and ask them which one came on their cars. John

 

I will look at the original one on my '70 vista also, and see if it matches your vista or the one you have from me. I know what you mean about the imperfections. I had a few small ones on the vista top plate I had powder coated. I figured they would fill with the coating......they didn't. I wonder if a product like All Metal could withstand the temps of the process? I am going to have to ask my guy next time I'm there.

 

Dave, I looked at the one from my '70 Vista today, non A/C. It matches your Vista's, and not the '72 piece....

 

Erik,

Obviously year specific then. Thanks for checking it out.

Dave