Radiator Replacement

Discussion in 'Street/strip 400/430/455' started by M10jb, Jun 3, 2020.

  1. M10jb

    M10jb Member

    I currently have a brass/copper 4 row that is leaking and looking for a replacement. I was looking at this one Summit has, it is similar to what I have now.
    https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-382014/year/1972/make/buick/model/gs-455
    says for a 1972, dimensions look right on to my 1971, not sure what the difference is.

    or a 2 row 1" tube aluminum unit but cannot find one that either the ebay vendor is shady or the fitment is not right by reviewing past forum posts.

    Car is a 1971 GS 455 Auto, stock motor

    Any suggestions: Cold Case, Champion?
    I am not looking for the Dewitts or US radiator price range.

    Thanks in advance
     
  2. Stevem

    Stevem Well-Known Member

    I would take it to a rad shop to see if it can be fixed first, and second if it can't be fixed I would bite the Bullet and stay with a Brass one, and not go with a Aluminum one.
    Even if it has one crossflow tube that leaking at a point away from each tank it can be soldered closed and not reall have any effect on the level cooling since it's a big 4 row model.
     
    Doug Hoyle likes this.
  3. bostoncat68

    bostoncat68 Platinum Level Contributor

    Love the champion 2 row I purchased. Well made. Got mine at jegs. AE 161. If you need a certain Champion model they don't stock, just call and ask them. I painted it black, looks great. I considered a Maine Radiator recore but it was quite a bit more. I kept the old one in case I ever wanted to recore.
     
  4. john.schaefer77

    john.schaefer77 Well-Known Member

    The radiator on Summit has the typical wrong size hose inlets for a Buick. Listed as 1 9/16, Buick uses 1 1/2.
     
  5. Electra Bob

    Electra Bob Well-Known Member

  6. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    If you do go aluminum, make sure it is no more than 2 core and that the tubes are 1" minimum. There are lots of 3 and 4 core aluminum radiators out there. Those are a COMPLETE waste of money. The whole reason for using aluminum is for bigger tube sizes. That is what makes them cool better.
     
  7. M10jb

    M10jb Member

  8. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

  9. M10jb

    M10jb Member

    Thanks Larry, OPG has it but probably over a week to get it here. I am checking with Bigdogauto. I called jegs, they confirmed ae161 is out of stock but here referred me to one of their radiators. This one does not look bad and I could probably have it by Sunday. 2 row, 1" tubes, 1.5" inlet and outlet, dimensions close to what I have now.

    https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/51910/10002/-1
     
  10. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Looks good, even has a bung for a temperature sensor.
     
  11. Bigpig455

    Bigpig455 Fastest of the slow....

    I bought that same brass radiator from Summit with very low expectations, it actually is a nice piece, and has stepped hose outlets for the different size hoses and is well constructed. I havent installed it yet, but unless it leaks all over the place its exactly what I was looking for.
     
  12. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    You mean aluminum?
     
  13. Bigpig455

    Bigpig455 Fastest of the slow....

  14. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Got it.
     
  15. breakinbuick11

    breakinbuick11 Platinum Level Contributor

Share This Page