I am in need of buying a new radiator, and the best deal I have found on aluminum ones are the Summit direct fit aluminum radiators. My question is, are they really direct fit? If anyone has any experience with these please let me know. Thanks

 

From what I have read on this site and from my own personal experience there is no so such thing as direct replacement. It seems all aftermarket aluminum radiators needs to be "fitted" upon install. In my case the lower brackets needed to be moved and I had to modify the top plate as well. The core of the aluminum radiators are the same dimensions as factory, but the tanks are not the same size as a factory radiator.

Here is a link to my fiasco, BTW the summitracing radiator you are looking at looks like mine (made by Northern):

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...r-install.html

It is doable, just not as easy as setting it in place and hooking up the hoses. Speaking of that, the lower radiator spout is a smaller diameter than factory so the hose may not fit that great.

d1

 

Alright thanks for the info, I think Ill go ahead and buy it! Also going to swap in a 160 or 185 thermostat while im at it. For whatever reason mine has a 210 in it now?

 

I am running a 185 now. Motor wanted to run at that temp with the 160 so I put in the 185 and it still runs the same.

Good luck on install, let me know if you have problems.

d1