got a new aluminum rad today, my wife picked it up, once home I noticed the bottom rad hose inlet was 1 1/2 ''. the old one is 1 3/4 and the water pump is about 2''. I can see going to 1 3/4 at the tank , but isn't going down to 1 1/2'' a little small ???? Both top outlet are the same at 1 1/2''. I like an answer by morning so I call the rad shop back and maybe re-order. Is this a rad he had in stock already (2 day service ? ) for maybe a Chev product ? Or something he had sitting around , trying to pawn it off on some un suspecting customer ?.......thanks

 

An 80's Olds Regency has a smaller outlet opening at the rad than the 68 442's, so try a rad hose for a 1980-84 Olds...

 

This seems to be a common issue with the aftermarket radiators for these cars. I have 2 aftermarket 4 row units that fit a 68-72 Cutlass and the lower connection on both is 1.5". Since the ones I have are brass, I had the radiator shop install a 1.75" collar over the 1.5" fitting to solve the problem. There are places that offer a rubber sleeve that you can install on the 1.5" fitting that will make the OD 1.75" and will accept your stock hose. This was recently detailed in a thread and a couple of the sources were mentioned.

 

Yep, I remember someone else having an issue like this. I think he made the radiator shop weld in the correct sized bung!