When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I have been studying the 1972 Cutlass Assy Manual on the GMpartswiki. Page 323 of that shows a chart of 1972 radiator usage. It gives part numbers, but I can find no other descriptions of the various radiator configurations. In other words, I can't tell from this chart (or anywhere else) which is the 2-row, 3-row, or 4-row radiators.
Looking at the first row of the chart, I can ASSUME that the radiator part # listed under the Y72 (HD cooling) column is a 4-row. And in the last column labeled "STD" I can ASSUME that this is a part number for a 2-row radiator. Assuming is not a good method. Other than that, I can't determine what is the correct radiator for a 72 Cutlass with L34 engine (350 with 4bbl) and air conditioning (the part # is in the the "C60/C61" column). That box of the chart shows part number 3027544 (how many rows??). And that part number has been superceded by #3030100 (how many rows on that one???).
All I want to know is how many rows of radiator to get for a 72 Olds Cutlass S with 350, 4bbl and AC. (Hint: the car was originally a Non-AC and I am converting it to AC - I don't know if I can continue to use the 3-row radiator that I already have). Any clues will be appreciated.
Of course you can continue to use the 3 row rad you have but I don't know EXACTLY what would have been used in the '72 car W/AC. I'm thinking a AC '72 Cutlass likely WOULD NOT HAVE come w/a 2 row rad. I would think the 3 row would have been the "baseline" rad for a '72 350 Cutlass w/AC. That's just what makes sense to me....not based on any facts I have.
If you are trying to get maximum cooling for your combo then stepping up to a 4 row setup would be in order.
FWIW.....if you see references to a "2.00 inch core" then that's the 3 row rad. References to a "2.70 inch core" are a 4 row rad.
There was also a sort of "oddity" that I've seen on some '72 cars (W30)....they had a 3 row rad and the filler side tank was actually from a 4 row rad and the other side tank was a typical 3 row size tank. Thinking that must have been some sort of HD 3 row rad for '72. That setup, I believe, used a 4 row radiator top plate that had a special rubber isolator on the 3 row (D side) tank to make up for the larger 4 row saddle on that side of the top plate.
You should probably move this to some other thread as we are "interfering" with a For Sale ad here.
