Wasn't sure where to post this (I couldn't find the Cooling forum!), so mods, move it if neccessary...

Car in question is a '68 Cutlass 'S' 'vert - orig 350 4bbl - no A/C....

I took my old rad to a shop for rehab and the guy pointed out that it was a wide 4 row.I could see & count the rows looking thru the filler.

I thought 'regular' cars got the thinner 3 row ones and only the higher perf cars (w/ 'HD' cooling) got the 4 row.

The rad is ~ 2.75 thick and the saddles are ~ 4+" overall length. There's no evidence of anything being changed.

Is this normal for a pedestrian Cutlass ?

TIA...

 

I am about 90% sure that you would have a two row without a/c or a performance variant (others will chime in), but it also depends on your gearing, 3:23-3:42 would be a 3 row, and 3:91 or numerically higher could get you the 4 core. These cars could be ordered with performance gearing without it being a 442, W series or otherwise. If your car was ordered with a towing pkg, which usually included stiffer gears, you would have H.D. cooling. Do you have the build sheet or window sticker?

 

Window sticker/build sheet, no.
(I have a few flakes of what's left of the build sheet, but nothing usable...)

Car came with a 3.42 rear w/ 31 spline axles. I'll try to get a pic of the top plate up soon....maybe that'll help....

 

Anything you do, DON'T discard that radiator. If you don't want it, I'll buy it from you. (Not that you've posted this to sell it or otherwise shown you don't want it).

I'm pretty sure you could order the HD cooling no matter the gearing, especially if you lived in a warm climate.

Pretty cool "discovery" if it is original to your car. Heck, even if it isn't.

 

Car was originally sold in WA state...kinda an odd place to want HD cooling !

Rad is being rebuilt/restored. Should be ready in a week or so. Sorry!

Now I'm curious about the top plate. I've heard that '68 4 row plates are unique & rare, but I'm not sure...

Here's a pic of it from before I disassembled the car....

click for big...

 

I'd keep it 100% stock - not change thing and know I had a 25% margin of error!
A case of 'bigger is better'!

 

V01 option = 2.70" thick core (4 row radiator).



Yes, all original 4 row radiator "top plates" bring BIG money!

 

So, can anyone tell from the pic if I truly have the elusive '68 only 4 row top plate ?

 

Yep, that appears to be an original 4 row top plate.

 

Thanks, Tom!

Although, it just adds to mystery of this car... 4 row rad, 31 spline axles, what next...? Maybe I'll find out it was the one W-31 built as a convertible with power brakes...!

 

I've got a 1971 Cutlass flat top wagon that came with a 350 2bbl and the 4 row radiator. Years ago I pulled a limited slip rear end out of a 1970 f85 post car with a 6 cylinder. That was the only option on a really stripped down car. I'll not be surprised at what shows up on various cars!

 

My '68 4-4-2 has the "heavy duty cooling" option with a 3.08 posi rear end and no A/C. It also was originally from Washington State (a dealership in Wenatchee). My brother's '68 4-4-2 has standard cooling and no A/C - it went to Montana originally.

Randy C.