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
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.
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.
The radiator on Summit has the typical wrong size hose inlets for a Buick. Listed as 1 9/16, Buick uses 1 1/2.
This is what I fitted to my 1972 Electra and it was a drop in replacement. Obviously check fitment for your model but it says it covers a large range of vehicles. https://www.jegs.com/i/Champion-Cooling-Systems/166/AE161/10002/-1 No complaints. Bob
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.
The Champion ae161 seems to be the winner. The only issue now is finding one, most are out of stock. I was able to find one at Original Parts Group, just need to confirm with them the model number and if they in fact have it in stock. https://www.opgi.com/cooling-heatin...ivipont-fs-65-82-cad-2row-1-tube-ch32591.html Thanks everyone
https://bigdogauto.com/i-24760578-a...8-1985-gm-chevy-buick-olds-pontiac-ae161.html https://www.buyaradiator.com/products/1964-buick-wildcat-6-6-l-radiator-ae161 Both let me put it in the cart.
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
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.
No the one he links to in the first post - https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-382014/year/1972/make/buick/model/gs-455
I bought mine direct from champion and it came with a “ledfoot racing” sticker. https://www.championradiators.com/product/AE161