Your right I have been looking on line at A NV2700 rad that my local Napa sells.I called for A price but they are closed. I was thinking if I buy from A local auto store, the wife wouldn't have to know. I hate to be like that but I'm sure some of y'all have had to do that before to.
If you don't care about original looks, you can use a late model radiator. They have plastic tanks and a single row aluminum core. Believe it or not, they do a superior job of cooling. This is the radiator several racers use, https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/spectra+premium,CU161,radiator,2172 Check out post #22 in this thread, http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/455-running-too-warm.333582/page-2#post-2809002
About the only problem I see is the top hose connection is a little smaller, 1.3" instead of 1.5". Have to ask Bob how he deals with that. For 84.00, the wife might be OK with that.
You and Alec296 got me talked in to A new rad.I'm thinking about one from my local Napa NV2700 rad,it is A replacement.
Look at that radiator, https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NRS2700 It's a late model aluminum just like the one I linked you to from rock auto. Spend 84.00 instead of 130.00. The wife will be happier, I hope. https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/spectra+premium,CU161,radiator,2172 https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=271642&jsn=3
I could pay cash at Napa that I have stashed, if I buy on line she would know, I hate I have to be like that ,but she told me no more car parts.I understand were she is coming from,I have spent A lot on my motor ,and bought A GS hood. I see what you mean about the smaller hose outlet ,so I don't know about that. Larry what would you do if it was yours,try JB weld on my old one.I did get A lot of crude flushed out,or buy A new one.
Try and fix it. Not sure you can solder it and have the solder actually stick. Have you tried that? JB weld might work.
You could try a 81 -87 v6/3.8 non turbo radiator hose. You would have to trim it some if it’s too long. The hose diameter should be closer to the radiator size. Or a big car with v6 like 80s le saber / Electra b-body that has 3.8 v6 /4.1 Buick v6. Which did come in some caddie
I haven't tried to solder it,but may try JB weld, and just put straight water in it and try it.When I was driving my car yesterday it was running cooler with out A thermostat it was running about 170 maybe if I put A stat back in ,it might run even cooler,I have read you need some restriction to keep water in rad longer to cool. If it was you would you try that first ,before buying A new rad.
If I was you with a semi pissed off wife, yeah, I'd try everything before spending more money. It will run warmer with the thermostat.
If you order it online you could have a friend order it for you, give them the cash and have it sent to their house where you can install it. That way you save some $$, stay out of trouble and your car runs a lot happier. GL
Larry I was wondering what cools better A 2 row 1in or 3 row 5/8 rad ,still thinking about A new one.
Aluminum 2 row will out cool a Brass/Copper 3 row, and out last it as well. The aluminum late model single row would probably as well.
I just bought A American Eagle radiator ,2 row 1in tubes on eBay. It has 1 1/2 inlet and outlet ,looked to be A nice rad .The more I thought about it ,I figured it would be A good piece of mine.
