69442C

RADIATOR HAS BEEN LOCATED!! I'm looking for an original GM 4 row radiator for a 69 442 with auto trans. I believe the code on it will be ED. I don't care about the date codes. The core condition is not all that important as I'll have it recored but I need the tanks to be in very nice condition and not beat up or rotted. I believe this radiator is the same for 68-70 and maybe later. Let me know if you have something and how much you want. I'd even consider just the passenger side tank if someone had one of those laying around. The aftermarket 4 row radiators don't have the correct tank on the pass side as the upper trans cooling line fitting is either in the wrong place or the tank has other fittings that shouldn't be there. Even the GM licensed OEM repro offered by The Parts Place for $700 isn't correct. Thanks for any help.
Brian

Toms 69-76 Custom Vista

I have one in storage and need to check condition. Where are you located? Tom

69442C

Tom, thanks for the response. I'm in Maryland. I can send a PM with more details pending what you find with your radiator.
Brian

67w30

Ive got a 68-72 auto radiator, I know its original but will need to be recored! Its in great shape, tank wise. Where do I find the code your looking for?
k3

69442C

k3, thanks for the reply. The code would have been a metal tag near the side of the tank but these can fall off over time and may not be there. So I'm not too concerned if that tag is there or not. I'll send you a PM with an email if you send me a few photos. One thing you could check is the dimensions on the core itself, not including the tanks. It should be 28 1/2" W x 17" H by 2 3/4" deep.
Brian

Toms 69-76 Custom Vista

Hey Brian, here are the PICS of my radiator from a 1969 442 with auto trans.

Toms 69-76 Custom Vista

More Rad. PICS

Toms 69-76 Custom Vista

YES....its a 4 core. Sorry I didnt add that in the description. Tom

69442C

Tom, thanks for the photos however the radiator you have is not the correct one. I have attached a photo of a correct used radiator and I have several different photos from multiple sources who all have the same thing in their 68-72 Cutlass cars. Ironically, your radiator is exactly the same thing offered by The Parts Place where they advertise it being for the Cutlass cars. The biggest issue is where the upper trans cooling line fitting is in your radiator as it is roughly 3" too high. The correct one has the fitting lower, or about 5" below the top. The corner on the correct radiator is also cut at an angle so the cap sits at an angle. I've also attached a photo of a radiator offered by Brothers Automotove and theirs is very close except it has a heater hose fitting just below the cap, also not correct for a 69 442. But just about everything else is correct. I suspect your style radiator is for another style GM car. Yes, it will fit in the Olds A body cars but the upper trans cooling line would need to be installed in a manner than was not original. Since I'm doing a restoration, I need to use a correct unit. Thanks anyway.
Brian

70Post

Brian---'71 and later cars used the "angled filler" radiator. '70 cars (and I'm almost 100% sure '69s) used the "slightly angled" filler neck style tank as shown in Tom's pics.

The pics you show from that vendor show filler necks that are the '71-72 style. Don't believe everything that vendor tells you.

69442C

Patton, I would have to disagree with you. I have a friend who has an original 68 442, all original, and it uses the angled corner radiator like shown in the photos I posted. I have also see other photos of 69 A body cars with original radiators that also have the same type angled tank. The radiator I questioned is not correct for the car mainly because of the location of the upper trans cooling line fitting. The radiator in question has a 12" distance between the fittings whereas all of the 68-72 A body cars I have come across all have roughly 9" between the fittings, including my friends 68 442. The companies who sell the transmission cooling lines only sell one style for the 68-72 cars which makes this 12" centered cooling fitting radiator for another style GM car. I saw a GP radiator on the Internet last night and that radiator looked identical to the incorrect radiator we are discussing. The angle of the corner of the radiators may have changed with the years you mention but I am certain the spacing between the trans cooling line fittings did not. If anyone can offer any further info to clarify this I would appreciate it. I have secured a radiator for my car but I guess there is still some discussion to be had.

Toms 69-76 Custom Vista

My radiator was removed 27 years ago from an origional 1969 442 with auto trans. The car was untouched before that time. It is correct for that car. It was built in Linden N.J. Maybe that has something to do with the confusion. Tom

69442C

Interesting.