Which radiator is correct

[7DCUDA383A]

The cuda is in the shop getting all new gaskets and seals , he thinks the radiator is wrong , all I know is its a 26 in. wth upper hose on driver and bottom on passenger , non A/C . Also does not have a shroud , any ideas , thanks .

 

[1972 AAR Cuda]

From what I can see it doesnt look like a Chrysler radiator - this looks more like a replacement radiator - if thats what you're asking...
Chrysler radiators will have the pentastar (which I don't see) and a part number stamped in the top tank - just going by memory though...
I was also pretty sure the 26 inch came with a fan shroud.

 

[Xcudame]

Definitely an after market radiator cap! And in 1970 all big block E-Bodies had a driver's side lower hose. If the radiator is from a small block, they typically had a passenger side lower house. So the water pump housing might be from a C-Body, it's certainly not E-Body. Basically right now, your radiator hoses are opposite of a factory setup. By if it works, no need to change it! I'd definitely run a fan shroud!

 

[7DCUDA383A]

Definitely an after market radiator cap! And in 1970 all big block E-Bodies had a driver's side lower hose. If the radiator is from a small block, they typically had a passenger side lower house. So the water pump housing might be from a C-Body, it's certainly not E-Body. Basically right now, your radiator hoses are opposite of a factory setup. By if it works, no need to change it! I'd definitely run a fan shroud!

It's at the shop right now but he did say he is going to replace it with a 3 row radiator .

 

[Xcudame]

If you're going with a new radiator, I'd go with something like the one in the link below. Two row aluminum radiators actually cool better than a three row radiator given the same thickness.

ECP 26" Aluminum Big Block Radiator - Big Cooling Tubes

26″ Big Block Mopar Radiator This it our all new aluminum radiator for the 1967 - 1974 Mopar BIG BLOCK Cars that use the 26" large radiator. Like all of our radiators, it's made with proven 2-rows of 1.0" tubes that is proven to out cool 3-row and 4-row aluminum radiators by a substantial...

ecp-radiator.com

If you want to keep your current hose routing, get the small block version.

ECP 26" Aluminum Small Block Mopar Radiator - Big Cooling Tube

26″ Small Block Mopar Radiator This it our all new aluminum radiator for the 1967 - 1974 Mopar Small Block Cars that use the 26" large radiator. Like all of our radiators, it's made with proven 2-rows of 1.0" tubes that is proven to out cool 3-row and 4-row aluminum radiators by a substantial...

ecp-radiator.com

 

[Challenger RTA]

If you're going with a new radiator, I'd go with something like the one in the link below. Two row aluminum radiators actually cool better than a three row radiator given the same thickness.

http://[URL][URL][URL]https://ecp-radiator.com/products/26-big-block-mopar-radiator

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If you want to keep your current hose routing, get the small block version.

http://[URL][URL][URL]https://ecp-radiator.com/products/26-small-block-mopar-radiator

[/URL][/URL][/URL]

I do agree with what EXCUDAME said. I do think a brass radiator does hold up better over time. I could be wrong about that. But there still around. It's just a matter of what you want. Cost would be a factor.

 

[7DCUDA383A]

I do agree with what EXCUDAME said. I do think a brass radiator does hold up better over time. I could be wrong about that. But there still around. It's just a matter of what you want. Cost would be a factor.

I just want something reliable , I'm already having the engine pulled to replace all gaskets and seals .

 

[Xcudame]

There are better and more expensive aluminum radiators out there, but the ECP will last as long as the company does (lifetime warranty). To get the best life out of an aluminum radiator it's best to put a piece of zinc metal in the top tank to be the sacrificial metal for electrolysis (corrosion).

 

[Ricks72Chlgr440]

If you're going with a new radiator, I'd go with something like the one in the link below. Two row aluminum radiators actually cool better than a three row radiator given the same thickness.

ECP 26" Aluminum Big Block Radiator - Big Cooling Tubes

26″ Big Block Mopar Radiator This it our all new aluminum radiator for the 1967 - 1974 Mopar BIG BLOCK Cars that use the 26" large radiator. Like all of our radiators, it's made with proven 2-rows of 1.0" tubes that is proven to out cool 3-row and 4-row aluminum radiators by a substantial...

ecp-radiator.com

If you want to keep your current hose routing, get the small block version.

ECP 26" Aluminum Small Block Mopar Radiator - Big Cooling Tube

26″ Small Block Mopar Radiator This it our all new aluminum radiator for the 1967 - 1974 Mopar Small Block Cars that use the 26" large radiator. Like all of our radiators, it's made with proven 2-rows of 1.0" tubes that is proven to out cool 3-row and 4-row aluminum radiators by a substantial...

ecp-radiator.com

I have an ECP radiator that I bought with electric fans. Am going back to a shroud and mechanical fan w/clutch. Got the shroud from Mancini. I have a good friend on this forum that got an ECP radiator for his E Body car and has had nothing but problems with the fit. Their customer service was less than good as well. Think the radiators are very good, but just a heads up.

 

[7DCUDA383A]

I have an ECP radiator that I bought with electric fans. Am going back to a shroud and mechanical fan w/clutch. Got the shroud from Mancini. I have a good friend on this forum that got an ECP radiator for his E Body car and has had nothing but problems with the fit. Their customer service was less than good as well. Think the radiators are very good, but just a heads up.

I have to wait till tomorrow to find out what radiator they have in mind , it was part of a bid they emailed me Friday but I was golfing , all I know is they would replace the 2 row with a 3 and yes I want a shroud , I am calling them in the morning .

 

[TomIGo]

Hello everyone. Figured this would be a good thread to pop into since the discussion about which radiator is correct. The car I am working on is a 1970 Challenger, base model, 318 with auto trans and no A/C. Someone had pulled the rad before I saw the car the first time, so not sure what it had originally. I have measured the spacing between mounting holes at 24-1/2 in horizontally and 14-1/2 inches vertically, both sides.

Mounting holes are too close together for a 26 inch rad, but when I look at hole spacing on pics of 22 inch rad on the ECP website, they have a shorter bracket on the passenger side that has mounting points only 10-11/16 apart.

Anyone know what SHOULD have been on this car? Nothing showing on the fender tag for rad, and I do not have a build sheet. Below is view of the radiator mounting support showing mounting holes.

 

[TomIGo]

Have since found a rad on Summit Racing site (part SUM-382009) that has full length flanges on both sides and appears it would work. Interesting however is when I go to the Classic Industries site, they sell a OER rad that has a shorter flange on the passenger side, like so many others. Obviously would not work with these original mounting holes, although I could make it work. Anyone know of a proper fitting rad that looks more OEM? Attached a pic of both the OER and Summit rads.

 

[Xcudame]

TomIGo, believe it or not some 318 auto E-Bodies (and A, B and C-Bodies) got 19" radiators that fit into the 22" radiator support! See photos below for an example. If it was me, I'd go with the 22" radiator from Summit. Factory part number may have been 2998947.

 

[TomIGo]

Thank you Xcudame. That is the strangest thing I think I've ever seen! Really wish I had the build sheet to know for sure!!

I am going to go the Summit route as you've suggested. Just to make me feel more confident, I have submitted a question with Summit Racing asking about the spacing between the mounting holes on the radiator. Keeping fingers crossed that it is a match! Thanks again!