My "new to me" GS455 runs hot and heat climbs with speed so, it's new radiator time. Please save me some shopping time for an aluminum direct replacement radiator with two 1 inch cores. I want it to install using the current rubber insulators, have an original looking filler with overflow tube like stock and allow the factory radiator cover to install as original. Also, need inlet and outlet hose size the same as stock. By the way, what diameter are the factory inlets & outlets? Who sells the ones with the best feedback? And where's the best place to pick up a 180 deg. thermostat? There is a 195 in it now.
1 1/2 top and bottom. I have the Mr. Gasket 180 "high flow" thermostat and am happy with it. My buddy has this one and is happy. It fits the car just fine. http://www.usradiator.com/buick-gs-1968-71-v8-aluminum-radiator.html
Here is the thermostat. Available anywhere. Napa, Autozone, Ebay, summit ect https://www.holley.com/products/cooling/thermostats/parts/4364
Jim is right, a properly working factory setup will do the job it was designed to do. I have an aluminum Griffin in my Buick because it just had a small radiator to begin with but my `71 big block El Camino has a conventional copper/brass 4 row in it and it cools great with the completely stock clutch fan and shroud. Even on a 95 degree day in traffic with the factory a/c running it has never gotten above 192 degrees.
Same search for me. Check out the Dewitts website. You might want to check your water pump if everything else looks good and you are still running hot. Flush the system.
I've never seen an overflow tube that was clocked like that but that's a minor issue. A good radiator shop could heat that up and point it in any direction you want and re-solder it. Might be worth removing it and having it cleaned and get that overflow tube changed.
The Dewitts site looked good except they only make GM radios for Corvette, Chevelle, or GTO, no Buicks. The Chevelle unit was over $700.
I believe they use the Chevelle and change the Inlet/Outlet and drain to fit. (not totally sure) Yes they are as expensive as Griffin or Be Cool.
Anyone heard of or used Cold Case Radiators? They look good with all the right specs and are $200 cheaper than US Radiator or Dewitts. Can't find where they are made, though. https://www.coldcaseradiators.com/product/68-77-gm-body-auto-aluminum-performance-radiator
That looks really good Ray. Pypes exhaust is their sister company. 2 rows of 1.25" tubes is the ticket! https://www.coldcaseradiators.com/about-us
Jim makes a valid point. If you can find the correct Harrison tanks (IA and CF), have your local radiator shop re-core them. A lot of them came in 2 core but will accept a 3 core unit. The shop near me uses Maine Auto Radiator high efficiency cores (available to dealers only) and he's done 3 radiators and 2 heater cores for me in the last year. If you go that route, make sure the shop uses those cores. Something to think about if you're interested in both correctness and dependable functionality. Or you could always get an aftermarket one and keep on the lookout for those two tanks I previously mentioned.
That's good info. I think I'll put the aluminum on for now and look out for the original tanks. I don't want the car to be down while I go on a hunt.
Yes. 1 9/16" will fit as well. I think some Chevys use 1 5/8" on the bottom, and that is a stretch. My Griffin is 1 1/2" top and bottom. I had them move the drain up an 1". I think the Chevy core support is different from ours and if they put it too low, it might interfere. Think I remember reading that in a GSCA Extra article way back.
I have one. I also have tie down straps from their sister company. https://www.snappinturtle.com/ratchet-assemblies/ The Radiator didn't fit the lower mounts perfectly. They needed to be trimmed. I'll let you know how it performs when I get it running.
