Sorry if I am posting this in the wrong forum.

Can anyone recommend a brand or vendor of radiator for a '68 conv?

I am ignorant with these cars and can use all the help you care to offer! Also, we'll be fluching and changing fluid/ thermostat. And the new rad cap as well. Is there anything available in the aftermarket for a rad fluid catch bottle?

Thanks for the help! I need it! LOL

Dave

Welcome, don't worry about the type of questions you ask.
if you didn't ask you'd never know.

Someone here will surely be able to answer this question for you.

Thank you!

I can help ya build a 600+ HP Cummins if you need some help there. I am short on knowledge on these fine machines though.

Dave

I had my radiator re-cored. The local rad shaop used my side tanks and replaced the center portion. This allowed me to keep the shroud mounting clips. It cost me about $200 but, that was a brother-in-law price. I hear that the Rodney Red's are the best. If I were to do it again, I'd go Rodney Red(about $600). Make sure you go 4-row core.

I bought a 4 core from YearOne but someday I may get my old one re-cored. All our local radiator repair shops have seemed to disappeared around here.

My original had already been recored at some point in it's life, then the trans cooler leaked in the tanks.

Ended up getting a nice 4 core from Rick's Camaro. Believe it was about $200. Have had no problems in the last year.

Thanks for the replies. I would love to go with the light weight aluminum, but a simple 4 core that fits is all I need.

This is a simple cruiser that'll look better than it runs I bet! LOL

Dave

I bought a 4 core, exact fit, from U.S. Radiators about 5 years ago and it has done well to keep the 455 happy in my bird. Cost was about $200.

I actually just took an original Harrison radiator into a local shop to get a price on a re-core yesterday.

It will have to wait.

Since copper prices have skyrocketed recently, so has the costs of a recore.

They told me to have mine re-cored to a high efficency 4 core will cost $500. The person I talked to has said his business has dropped off dramatically in the past few months due to the huge price increases. He said he doesn't blame his customers for not wanting to spend that kind of money. Last year, the price would of been $275.00

I told him I would have to play the game and wait to see if prices drop. This is a much higher expense than I had planned on for the project. At the current rebuild price, I might as well get one of the new reproduction Harrisons that are on the market. I believe they are going for around $650.

Yikes, the reproduction ones have increased as well:

http://www.rickscamaros.com/cgi-loc...tm?L+scstore+tcwm6788ffdd42dd+1152268115

$1000.00 for a 4 core??????

I just had my Harrison redone last week with a HD 4 core setup, for $325 Canadian + tax(currently about $292 US). He did a gread job, including paint, petcock, drain tube, ready to go.

Cat I think you should be able to do better than $500 US!

I believe Classic had the Desert Cooler 4 cores for about $300 recently. I just figured for about the same $ it would be nice to have the original (upgraded) Harrison back in it's place.

The U.S. Radiators are a drop in? Keeping it original would be nice, but not critical. I just don't want to have to start fabbing up supports or cutting metal.

I am going to pull the radiator that's in it and have it checked out locally as well. Maybe I can find a good shop around. It just has some wear on it, so I have no idea if it can be salvaged or not.

Thanks again for the responses. Please keep 'em coming! Even if you think something is "common knowledge", it is not to me! I need all the info I can get.


Dave

I believe either it will either be OK (little scale and crap inside) or have too much scale etc and require re-coring. They can alway's be "salvaged" if not physically damaged to a great extend. It's usually a matter of cost vs replacement.

Dave, mine was irrepairably damaged when it was being "rodded" at the Rad shop. Thats why I had to have it re-cored. It was VERY dirty inside...about 20% blocked.

I think this one will be in rough shape. It has had an upper leak for who knkows how long. And when that happens, tap water and everything under the sun gets added. Corrosion and mineral build up are almost certain.

I'll get this one to a shop to get looked at in the mean time. If you guys have any other locations to purchase a new one from, let me know!!

Dave

By "they" I meant "the rad" can usually be salvaged (tanks), as I said, if there is too much scale inside they have to be re-cored so the tanks are retained, salvageing the tanks.

Now if the tanks are OK, then recore it if the cost makes sense.....Now are we all confused :p

Hi Dave, if I remember right your in the Sumner/Bonney Lake area? You might check with Bob Everett at Evergreen Muscle Car in Auburn, just West over the 15th Street Exit from 167. He can get you anything you would want (stock to modified) and get you the right unit (if you go for a new one) at a resonable price. (Tell him Brett sent you)

How's the car coming along anyway? Hope your making progress... sounds like it. There is the Western Washington Firebird club All Pontiac Show coming up on July 30th at the Everett Mall... just FYI. Great way to see lots of Firebirds for reference, and to do some networking for parts and info!

Good luck - Brett - 67 Drop Top 455!

Thanks Brett!

I am indeed in the area and I am finally starting on this car.

I have been engulfed with the truck and getting it ready for Diesel Thunder. Unfortunately, the date of your show, I will be getting billet put into my trans.

But, I'll have lots of questions for you my friend! I look forward to talking to you some moew about this machine.

Dave

BTW, called Bob Everett. He can get a rad in 5 days or so.

I'll pull the stocker and see if it can be salvaged and go from there.

Now, I just need a good 400 block, and some heads, and, and, and.....

Dave

I finally got a good look at the radiator tonight. It's leaking on the drivers side.

Anyone have any luck recoring these things? Or should I jusst bite the bullet and get a new/ remanufactured unit?

Also, there is oil everywhere. This car has not been started in a year. It would appear that possibly the manifold gaskets are doing the do. Honestly, there's so much oil, I can't tell if the front and rear mains are an issue or what.

Also, there's something acting as a slow draw off the battery. Any usual suspects??

Thanks again!

Dave

Dave, you might want to start new threads for your individual issues (oil leaks, electrical probs). That will provide a better chance for someone who can help to see your question. By the way, welcome.

I know it Bob. I get caught up in the moment! LOL

And thank you!

Dave