I just did this install/swap today and as it's been said it's a direct drop in. The cushions I had with the setup that was on my car(70 malibu) worked fine. I purchased the cushions from the van as suggested and was ready to swap them in but didn't need them. The info I was given had the wrong Gates top hose number. It also didn't state which top plate to use. Below is what I used and it worked great.

Radiator ('91-'95 P30 Step Van)
GM # 52470841
Delco # 20907 or 20778 (same part)


Hoses
Upper NAPA #7915 upper
Lower Gates #21324 or NAPA #8025

Cushions
('93 P30 Step Van) or you may be able to reuse the current ones you have for top and bottom as I was able to.

Radiator top support
You will need the four bolt radiator top support

I will say that this install/swap was done in a 70 that the previous owner had installed a 72 radiator in. That may be why I was able to reuse the cushions I had and didn't need to use the ones from the step van as recommended.

The upper hose NAPA #7915 needed trimmed at the thermostat housing(approx 1 1/2") and at the radiator(approx 1"). This hose's ID is 1 1/2" at the thermostat housing , which is what the housing is and it's ID is 1 1/4" for the radiator inlet which is what the radiator inlet is.

The lower hose NAPA #8025 needed trimmed(approx 1") at the water pump. This hose's ID is 1 1/2"'s at both ends as needed.

Just thought I'd share my experience and exactly what I needed to accomplish this swap as I've seen questions about it. Hope this helps anyone who might be interested in this install. Pete

Was there a extra heater hose nipple in the plastic passenger side tank .. if so did you just plug it ??

IS THIS A 2 ROW VERSION of 1 inch cooling tubes or 1 row of 1.5 inch tube

I looked into (and purchased) that radiator but never installed it - plastic side tanks and the extra hose connection off the pass side front of the tank, it just didn't look like it belonged in the car. I wanted my setup to look stock even if it's not.

Someone on this board is using it now instead....

Was there a extra heater hose nipple in the plastic passenger side tank .. if so did you just plug it ??

PLUGGED IT.

IS THIS A 2 ROW VERSION of 1 inch cooling tubes or 1 row of 1.5 inch tube

1 row 1.5"

Pete

I plugged it as well. I got the radiator from GM and it came with a rubber plug and clamp which I used.


Pete,

I used the existing radiator cushions that were in my Malibu for the bottom of the radiator as well. What radiator cushions did you use for the 4-bolt top plate?

-Brent

Brent,

I used the original ones that were there. An owner before me converted the 70 radiator to a 72 so the top plate was already a four bolt and already had the cushions in it and they appear to be exactly like the bottom ones. I compared them side by side before the install and they were exactly alike.

You said your radiator's heater outlet came plugged from GM? Do you have a picture of that plug, is there a part number? Thanks Pete

The plug and clamp came in a bag with the GM radiator.

I have a picture but cannot figure out how to attach it into the post. I can e-mail it to you if you would like.

-Brent

Brent that would be great. Thanks Pete

http://bbjhill.thinkingclearly.com/images/P30Radiator.jpg


-Brent

Brent thanks :thumbsup:. Hopefully I can get/find a cap like that. I had to order a replacement one as the one I got had cuts about 6" in from the end top and bottom through the aluminum U-channel. Parts man and I didn't think they belonged there. I got it three years ago and he's going to make good on(I've daid before I've got the best parts man in the country right here in little ole Lexington, Mo.) I just took it out of the box and installed it this weekend and it's never had any fluid in it. Just goes to show you, you need to check your parts when they come in. What fan is that your using? Pete

Pete,


FYI, my rad had the cuts you are mentioning on the top of the radiatior. Hopefully you will get the rubber plug with the replacement radiator.

I got the fan off of a 1994 V6 Camaro in the junkyard.