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Radiator fit
Posted: Sat May 15, 2021 11:10 am
by jayedeluxe
I'm having a heck of a time trying to find an aluminum radiator that fits my 1970 SRL311. I've bought two online and both were wrong in the measurements. Isn't the side to side mounting hole measurement supposed to be 16 in. ? Last one also had two overflow nipples on top tank ? And no cap on tank either. Any advise on where to go ??? Thanks !!!
Re: Radiator fit
Posted: Mon May 17, 2021 11:24 am
by GeoffM
You can go with the Champion Rad...but they take some modifying to fit the late steering box cars. The 2000 rad has the cap on the rad. (a 1600 rad does not have a cap)
It took me a few hours work to modify the rad flanges, drill new holes to re-locate the fan shroud holes, drill new rad support holes, hacksaw some of the rad flange....but it worked in the end.
Re: Radiator fit
Posted: Mon May 17, 2021 12:18 pm
by jayedeluxe
Thanks, Geoff. I am mostly concerned with the bracket hole placement. As long as it's 16 in. wide and 7 3/4 in. high, I'll be good. I hope !!! For some reason my current lower hose does not rub on the steering box, and it is not formed to go around it either. I don't have a fan shroud anyway, so that is no issue. It's just the mounting holes. I will try Champion. At least I can call someone there and discuss, I assume.
Re: Radiator fit
Posted: Mon May 17, 2021 2:21 pm
by Gregs672000
Just curious, is recoring your old one not an option? I had another row added to mine years ago, not aluminum of course, but it works... no fitment problems!
Re: Radiator fit
Posted: Mon May 17, 2021 2:24 pm
by spl310
Gregs672000 wrote: Mon May 17, 2021 2:21 pm
Just curious, is recoring your old one not an option? I had another row added to mine years ago, not aluminum of course, but it works... no fitment problems!
Apparently it has become quite costly.
Re: Radiator fit
Posted: Mon May 17, 2021 2:39 pm
by Gregs672000
Like solex manifolds eh? Ya know, I think I paid like $150-200 bucks for the complete set up, including carbs and cam 34 years ago... damn I was lucky! Don't think I could afford the car these days!
Re: Radiator fit
Posted: Mon May 17, 2021 4:03 pm
by roysuecan
I just got a champion for my 69 2000 and I can confirm what Geoff said. It would require flange cutting and hole drilling at a minimum. I paid $210 for it. I was quoted $500 for a three row re-core of my old radiator about a month ago. I think I'm going to return this one and pay the extra $300. I may try to repair it first. It's seeping from the upper corners, which could be a fatigue failure caused by years of exposure to slight body flexing (according to some random guy on youtube....)
Re: Radiator fit
Posted: Mon May 17, 2021 4:08 pm
by DAC21
roysuecan wrote: Mon May 17, 2021 4:03 pm
I just got a champion for my 69 2000 and I can confirm what Geoff said. It would require flange cutting and hole drilling at a minimum. I paid $210 for it. I was quoted $500 for a three row re-core of my old radiator about a month ago. I think I'm going to return this one and pay the extra $300. I may try to repair it first. It's seeping from the upper corners, which could be a fatigue failure caused by years of exposure to slight body flexing (according to some random guy on youtube....)
Dean has a three core available for $384 via core exchange. Shipping both ways would probably be another $80-100 so not a huge difference although Dean's prices include tax.
Re: Radiator fit
Posted: Mon May 17, 2021 6:26 pm
by jayedeluxe
I'm curious as to why someone (Champion included) would sell a radiator that is supposed to be a replacement fit, yet has to have all kinds of modifications to get it to work. Doesn't seem all that difficult to get the original specs and copy them..... I'm going to call them and ask if I can bring my old one to them to verify fit, I see they are in Lake Elsinore, I'm in San Diego
Re: Radiator fit
Posted: Mon May 17, 2021 6:51 pm
by spl310
They copied a 68-early 69. The late 69-70 radiator was more narrow to accommodate the bigger steering box.
Re: Radiator fit
Posted: Mon May 17, 2021 7:28 pm
by mwegener111
I paid $450 to have my '69 recored with a 3 row at a local Rad shop,
Re: Radiator fit
Posted: Mon May 17, 2021 11:19 pm
by Gregs672000
I have new found respect for my radiator now...
Re: Radiator fit
Posted: Mon May 17, 2021 11:35 pm
by roysuecan
My car was built in February 1969 according to the plate on the driver's door sill and it has the bigger steering box. It must have been one of the first cars to get it.
Re: Radiator fit
Posted: Tue May 18, 2021 4:10 pm
by jayedeluxe
How to tell if your steering box is a bigger or smaller one ? What's the difference ?
Re: Radiator fit
Posted: Tue May 18, 2021 4:26 pm
by spl310