I bought one of the Northern radiators that Summit sells as a "Direct Fit" radiator. I had done my research and knew it wouldn't really fit. Here are some pics for those interested, showing the modifications I had to make to my '72 to get the thing to go where I wanted it.

The quality seems nice to me (US Made), but I am no radiator expert. Will be a few months before I get her on the road...

If you buy one of these you need to be prepared to do some tough grinding/triming if you want it to properly seat into the factory pad locations.

Grinding and trimming isn't something I would be willing to do after spending that kind of cash.

My Alumitech radiator is on the way just today, I expect it to be a true drop-in/bolt-in affair.

I have a northern radiator for my 66SS but havent installed it yet. But I wont have to do much modification to mine if any at all compaired to yours. It mounts from the sides and I have already measured to make sure it will fit. Alumitech radiators are very very nice but are about 3/400 bucks more expensive. I just couldnt justify that much of a price difference.

I bought one of the Northern radiators that Summit sells as a "Direct Fit" radiator. I had done my research and knew it wouldn't really fit. Here are some pics for those interested, showing the modifications I had to make to my '72 to get the thing to go where I wanted it.

The quality seems nice to me (US Made), but I am no radiator expert. Will be a few months before I get her on the road...

If you buy one of these you need to be prepared to do some tough grinding/triming if you want it to properly seat into the factory pad locations.

thanks Wayne for the photo set for the guys at T/C .. this is one of the better better representations on what you may encounter with the so called Direct fit radiators on the market in the 68 to 72 line up
the 64 to 67 line up generally end up being cross flow conversions rather then correct down flow rads the car was designed for .
there are 2 types of buyers out there .. some that want to save a buck and do the mods and others that want correct .

thanks for the photos .
Don

I have a northern radiator for my 66SS but havent installed it yet. But I wont have to do much modification to mine if any at all compaired to yours. It mounts from the sides and I have already measured to make sure it will fit. Alumitech radiators are very very nice but are about 3/400 bucks more expensive. I just couldnt justify that much of a price difference.

Well, Summit doesn't offer a radiator for the earlier Chevelles, they only start with 1968. Where did you get your Northern for a '66 and what did you pay? Personally, I don't mind supporting a local business that also helps support Team Chevelle and who gives me personal service and tech support. Summit's other radiator brand choices for the earlier cars meet or exceed the cost of an Alumitech (I know, I did extensive comparison shopping).

Also, to be fair, Summit is having a sale right now, but even with that the price difference isn't as big as you state at least for a radiator application that is offered by both:

1968 Chevelle aluminum radiator:
-Summit Direct Fit (sic): $251.95
-Alumitech: $495.00

With Alumitech, I know where my radiator was built and where the components used were built. I'm certain both provide customer satisfaction following the sale, but I also don't expect to have any sort of problems with my Alumitech on either fit or performance. I'll let you know how it fits once it arrives, hopefully by this weekend! I'll let you know how it performs once I have the car running later this coming Summer. I'd also be interested to learn how well the Northern fits and performs in an earlier car.

One other thing I found interesting is that the Summit brand radiator is the same for application to a small block or a big block car. Maybe they just sell a larger radiator for all applications? I'd hope they don't sell one that is on the smaller size and assume the aluminum nature of it (more efficient) will also make it applicable to a larger engine.

Everything I have read leads me to believe the Alumitech product is the best available drop-in radiator for my Chevelle. It is also clear to me that Don runs a class operation. I wish money wasn't so tight because that is all that kept me from buying an Alumitech unit.

I know there are other guys in the same boat I am. This generic Northern radiator appears to be of pretty high quality (I expect much better than the Chinese-made ebay specials). I posted these pics to help guys make informed decisions.

If I wasn't willing to make modifications to make it fit, I would probably have bought a generic brass/copper replacement radiator for now (and planned to watch my temp gauge very closely in the Texas summers) hoping to eventually have spare funds for the Alumitech.

Thanks,

Wayne

It does look like a pretty well built unit from what I can see in the photos you provided.

Can you tell me how much metal you had to remove from the radiator support to provide the necessary room for the new radiator? I'm not that familiar with what an unmodified radiator support looks like on the later models.

I´m also installing a Summit rad in my wifes 69 on her car someone already cut the lower support bracket :( and mounted it with bolts below and over the core. The rad looks ok but some welds look suspect. Not as nice as Dons radiators but I paid it and was on some kind of budget :D
My 64 has one of Dons radiators works perfect!
Hopfully i well get her rad in tomorrow and it will solve the overheaing problem. If I remember I will post some pictures.

Marcus

I took about 3/8" off the side of the core support bracket, and about 1/4" off the lip of the core support itself to clear the driver's-side radiator tank.

I will put some sort of padding in those areas just in case there is any rub in the future (probably split fuel line or something similar). If the core support starts to sag under the driver's side tank, from the loss of strength, I will reinforce it with more metal from below (it still feels very solid, so I don't expect this to be necessary).

I think the exact amount of metal removal needed will vary from car to car.

I have seen finished install pics from other members using the same radiator. In a '68-'72, your options appear to be to cut (like I did), or just offset your whole radiator towards the Passenger side by 3/8" or so. If you are trying to use a factory shroud, I would think that complicates things (I will be using a Mark VIII electric fan with a DC Controls power unit).

Now that I think about it. If I had it to do over, I would probably just try moving the whole radiator about a half inch towards the passenger side. I would flatten out the original pad mounts in the core support and drill/cut to make new ones. For the top plate I would just drill new holes to adjust the position. It probably wouldn't fit as nice as what I did, but would have been a lot easier and would not have required removing as much metal in the structure.

Well, Summit doesn't offer a radiator for the earlier Chevelles, they only start with 1968. Where did you get your Northern for a '66 and what did you pay? Personally, I don't mind supporting a local business that also helps support Team Chevelle and who gives me personal service and tech support. Summit's other radiator brand choices for the earlier cars meet or exceed the cost of an Alumitech (I know, I did extensive comparison shopping).

Also, to be fair, Summit is having a sale right now, but even with that the price difference isn't as big as you state at least for a radiator application that is offered by both:

1968 Chevelle aluminum radiator:
-Summit Direct Fit (sic): $251.95
-Alumitech: $495.00

With Alumitech, I know where my radiator was built and where the components used were built. I'm certain both provide customer satisfaction following the sale, but I also don't expect to have any sort of problems with my Alumitech on either fit or performance. I'll let you know how it fits once it arrives, hopefully by this weekend! I'll let you know how it performs once I have the car running later this coming Summer. I'd also be interested to learn how well the Northern fits and performs in an earlier car.

One other thing I found interesting is that the Summit brand radiator is the same for application to a small block or a big block car. Maybe they just sell a larger radiator for all applications? I'd hope they don't sell one that is on the smaller size and assume the aluminum nature of it (more efficient) will also make it applicable to a larger engine.

Northern radiators are a USA made product manufactured in Wilmar Minnesota. The outfit I got mine was a vendor that is located in Iowa so I would say that quite locally made and sold IMO. I paid 800 dollars for a radiator, a pair of Spal electric fans, a shroud, a programmable Spal brand controller and the variable temp sensor and the wiring harness kit. The next nearest competitor was over 1000 plus for that. That also included a show special they were having on a Raytec laser temp thermometer for under 40 dollars. Best 40 dollar tool I ever bought.

I certainly didnt just purchase it all like an impulse buy, I did my homework big time before deciding on on this, read for months beforehand. Im certainly not willing to make modifications to make it fit and wouldnt have bought it if I would have needed to make modifications if that were indeed the case. I can tell you what though, my 69SS project will be getting an Alumitech, I have seen them in person and was very impressed.

I've been running a Northern radiator for 3 years with no problems at all. I'm always on a budget and don't mind a little work to save big bucks. Alumatec obviously has a great poduct and support this site and that's a good thing, but I'm also happy to find a quality product at a good price even if I have to take a little time to make it fit.

I bought one of the Northern radiators that Summit sells as a "Direct Fit" radiator. I had done my research and knew it wouldn't really fit. Here are some pics for those interested, showing the modifications I had to make to my '72 to get the thing to go where I wanted it.

The quality seems nice to me (US Made), but I am no radiator expert. Will be a few months before I get her on the road...

If you buy one of these you need to be prepared to do some tough grinding/triming if you want it to properly seat into the factory pad locations.

Ahh, the memories! Same exact mods I had to make to get summit radiator to fit. You can also expect the isolation rubbers to not quite fit right either.

Ahh, the memories! Same exact mods I had to make to get summit radiator to fit. You can also expect the isolation rubbers to not quite fit right either.

In my case, the isolation pads seem to be fitting pretty well (I am using the big block pads).

Seems like there exists in a couple of posts here the implication that "direct fit" is misleading advertising. It could would be misleading in the same sense as an airline flight being listed as a "direct flight". You'd have to be reading something into the words that's not there. Direct flight isn't a non-stop flight. In fact some direct flights can be quite a hassle. Direct fit doesn't mean drop-in and tighten down, and they don't claim that. So, a little hassle to save a few hundred bucks is just fine for lots of thrifty, industrious people; even for a few cheap and lazy people like me. Go back to "hot rodding" as it was after world war 2: ingenuity, modification, adaptation, imagination were the characteristics of hot rodders. Read the magazines nowadays and it seems its more about big bucks...
My $0.02

Seems like there exists in a couple of posts here the implication that "direct fit" is misleading advertising. It could would be misleading in the same sense as an airline flight being listed as a "direct flight". You'd have to be reading something into the words that's not there. Direct flight isn't a non-stop flight. In fact some direct flights can be quite a hassle. Direct fit doesn't mean drop-in and tighten down, and they don't claim that. So, a little hassle to save a few hundred bucks is just fine for lots of thrifty, industrious people; even for a few cheap and lazy people like me. Go back to "hot rodding" as it was after world war 2: ingenuity, modification, adaptation, imagination were the characteristics of hot rodders. Read the magazines nowadays and it seems its more about big bucks...
My $0.02

I guess I don't understand. What does direct fit mean? Does it mean with the proper tools you can make it fit? In that case the rear quarter off a 66 is a direct fit for 70. I just need to do little grinding, welding and reshaping and it'll fit. You analogy with air travel does not apply. Direct flight means you don't have to change planes, simple enough. If it isn't non-stop you're made aware of that when you purchase the tickets. When you buy these radiators do they tell you it's a direct-fit except that it won't actually fit without modifications?

It is misleading and deceptive. If you know that with a little mods you can save some bucks that's great. You can make an informed decision, do I want to save money or spend a little more so I don't have to cut or grind on my car?

This isn't a hot rodding site, this is a Chevelle site. Some guys modify the daylights out of their cars because that's what they want. Some are trying to keep them as original as possible because that's what they. It isn't just money, it's what you're trying to end up with.

Hank
Bravo .. I was laughing so hard I almost fell off my chair when I got to the the part where you typed ... In that case the rear quarter off a 66 is a direct fit for 70. I just need to do little grinding, welding and reshaping and it'll fit....It is misleading and deceptive to read that its a direct fit ..and then get a alteration sheet when you open the box ....had many be cool customers call me after they got there package and fond the alteration list ...I dont even use the term direct fit , due to the fact so many have given it a bad name .

cant understand how they get away with it .

thanks for the good laugh .

Don

I don't remember reading anything about the one I bought being a "direct fit" , but I do remember the price was right and it is a quality, made in the USA radiator. I would, and have, recommended them to friends, 2 of whom are using them now.

Again, kudos to Alumitech for making a quality product and supporting this site, but the Less expensive Northern radiator is a good alternative in some circumstances.

...I guess I don't understand... Some are trying to keep them as original as possible...

Hmmm...well, the analogy of a '66 part for a '70 part is a little over the top; but it caused me to take a look in a Summit catalog I have. I discard the previous catalog when I get a new one in the mail, so I think its current. It's the one with the silver Camaro convertible on the front cover.

Seems like the different manufacturers use different terminologies in different contexts with different meanings. For instance, we have "Griffin Street Rod Direct Fit Aluminum Radiators". Hmmm...Direct Fit for which street rod? Well, I guess any and every that it will fit. Further down the paragraph they say: "Griffin makes custom-fit models for 29-48 Chevys and 23-48 Fords. Ahahhh. Maybe you need a "custom-fit" for an exact match with your original radiator?

To further confuse things, another entry for Griffin radiators mentions "Griffin's Resto Mod OE Look direct-fit radiators..." with Chevelle downflow and Chevelle crossflow applications. One of these for my '65 would set me back $599.95 plus shipping.

And, then again, I see "Be Cool Custom-Fit Aluminum Radiators" with Chevelle/El Camino applications. One of these for my 4spd '65 would cost $499.69 and require (Notes C,H,M) mods to upper and lower hose, brackets required to install stock shroud, and shroud modification required. Hmmm...seems like "custom-fit" is no guarantee of hassle-free installation either.

I think I'll just stick with a re-core using my OE tanks; for "as original as possible."

I see "Summit Direct-Fit Aluminum Radiators" listed for Camaro, Firebird, Nova, GM passenger car, S10, S15, Blazer, Jimmy, Mustang, F150, Bronco, Chrysler car and truck, Cougar, and a "Universal Fit,...". No Chevelle listed.

I suppose a Chevelle IS a GM passenger car; but then a Cadillac is a GM passenger car, as well as a Nova was a GM passenger car. I wouldn't expect that the same radiator would fit any of the three equally well.

So, at least in the current catalog, the Chevelle application for the "direct-fit" radiator isn't listed. Maybe it WAS listed for Chevelle, when the original poster bought his radiator. If that wasn't the case, maybe he just assumed something...

I guess if you need a new radiator for your ride, you have lots of options. One option is not inherently better than another--just different. But, if you want to be sure and have some recourse, maybe you ought to ask and get it in writing.

Just buy Don's stuff. It fits, it works and the installation is a few minutes. My time is worth more than "grinding, welding and maybe a few shims". That usually means a few days.
You rock Don.

Ron

Just buy Don's stuff. It fits, it works and the installation is a few minutes. My time is worth more than "grinding, welding and maybe a few shims". That usually means a few days.
You rock Don.

Ron

HaHa, you must be a dentist...on second/last thought; I can get a new one from rockauto for $178, shipping included. Custom aluminum will be North of $600 plus shipping, Recore probably $250 plus. Last recore job I bought was $180 and five years ago...

My $0.02

Hmmm...well, the analogy of a '66 part for a '70 part is a little over the top;

Maybe, but my point was if direct-fit means you may have to do 'some mods' then what does 'some mods' mean? To me direct-fit means it fits, that's it. Some mods doesn't mean anything. It's so vague and non-descript it could mean anything from you have to use different hoses all the way to start with the radiator and build the car around it.

Have one of these from Summit/Northern. was a DIRECT drop into my 71' Skylark with 462. Keeps my iron headed 10:1 motor pretty darn cool all the time. I love it and price was good.

So, at least in the current catalog, the Chevelle application for the "direct-fit" radiator isn't listed.

Summit lists many parts on their web site not found in the paper catalog.

Summit's web site says it will fit perfectly. It does not fit unmodified '68-72 Chevelles. I knew this when I bought it, and am happy with my purchase. Others might not realize it doesn't fit without mods because the description is CLEARLY misleading.

"Our Summit® direct fit radiators feature a quality aluminum core with aluminum or plastic tanks (depending on the application) and are designed to be a perfect fit for your vehicle."

That quote is straight from the product page for Summit Part # SUM-380457 (currently $251). You will find many Chevelle applications listed as maching this part #, including my car (originally a '72 350 2bb, Auto):

SUMMIT APPLICATION LISTING
Make CHEVROLET
Model CHEVELLE
Submodel MALIBU
Beginning Year 1969
Ending Year 1972
Engine Type V8
CID 350
Liter 5.7
Engine Size 5.7L/350
Engine Family Chevy small block Gen I
Transmission Automatic

It doesn't fit without mods because the driver's-side tank isn't shaped like a GM radiator.

I didnt have to grind or cut anything on my 68. It really was a direct fit, I bought it through the summit brand. Not sure what the difference is here or why you had to modify. :confused:

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g34/Brettd85/IMG_0233.jpg

Summit lists many parts on their web site not found in the paper catalog.

Summit's web site says it will fit perfectly. It does not fit unmodified '68-72 Chevelles. I knew this when I bought it, and am happy with my purchase. Others might not realize it doesn't fit without mods because the description is CLEARLY misleading.

"Our Summit® direct fit radiators feature a quality aluminum core with aluminum or plastic tanks (depending on the application) and are designed to be a perfect fit for your vehicle."

That quote is straight from the product page for Summit Part # SUM-380457 (currently $251). You will find many Chevelle applications listed as maching this part #, including my car (originally a '72 350 2bb, Auto):

SUMMIT APPLICATION LISTING
Make CHEVROLET
Model CHEVELLE
Submodel MALIBU
Beginning Year 1969
Ending Year 1972
Engine Type V8
CID 350
Liter 5.7
Engine Size 5.7L/350
Engine Family Chevy small block Gen I
Transmission Automatic

It doesn't fit without mods because the driver's-side tank isn't shaped like a GM radiator.

Very useful discussion (I think) for anyone thinking about a new radiator. Maybe Summit sent you the wrong one? That happens once in a while. Did you contact them to inquire or "pitch a bitch"? I'd have sent it back if it didn't fit as advertised. Maybe these other guys were just lucky. I hate it, and sometimes I get static for it; but sometimes I can't help thinking like a lawyer: "...designed to be a perfect fit for your vehicle." gives them a lot of wiggle room. Anyway, glad it works and you're happy with it.

I cant blame anybody that’s on a budget building there car or doing a resto job we all have our idea of what it should cost to put a project together .. spend a little more here a little less there .. it all adds up.

When I built this business ... I wanted to be the best out there for correctness to the original radiator ..don’t even what to say what the driver side tank die cost to be correct ...and what it cost to have these tanks produced .. ouch .

some of the differences between Northern Radiators and I, may not be caught by the average guy looking to just get a aluminum radiator to pop in there ride to keep it cool .

so here is a little info

Northern rads are produced in Montgomery Alabama by thermosys corp. for Northern ( Wire feed / mig welded )on a assembly line , using the universal style tanks on both sides of the rad these dies have been paid for many times over .. they build about 5000 units a week ...one reason the behind the cost difference... mass produced .

I purchase my cores from Thermosys also .. American made , that’s my standard .. will not buy over seas stuff , just cant stomach the thought .
each rad is hand crafted and fully tig welded by me for show quality .. yes its my signature on each one .. and im the guy
you will talk to when you place your order .

We are a family business just trying to stay in the market and compete with all the oversea and mass produces rads out there .
Some of the folks here can appreciate the quality ,fit ,form and function that I am trying to provide for there Classic Muscle cars there putting thousands of dollars into ...and I know there are some awesome rides that customers and Team Chevelle members have sent me photos of .

I also know the plight of the guy being on a budget trying to get it done as inexpensive as possible ...I am not here to knock that guy .. my hat goes off to you .. like DallasMalibu .. how many hours did he take to do all the grinding and cutting to save a few bucks .

guys this is a brother hood of Chevelle owners .. lets all stick together .. and again thanks for your support .

Don

Great thread...funny too...:)

Im a guy who has built just a few cars in my life (3 good ones to be specific..69 Camaro, 77 Vette, 67 Chevelle) and I have gone through the budget process many times.....

My current project is the 67 Chevelle and will most liklely be my last one and I wanted to do it right....and by right I mean putting it back to close to stock as possible. I admit, I was a bit shocked by the Alumitech price but I knew from previous experiance that waitng a bit longer, saving a bit more money, and parting with a rifle I wasnt really using that often anymore was what I needed to do...and buy the Alumitech....so I could just drop it in and not have to modify the car...and then be able to run it hard if I feel the need...and then have you look under the hood and say nice things...:)

Now that doesnt mean that I think buying anything else is bad...it just wasnt what I had in my plan....this time....

If you want to see the results take a look at "Alumitech installed in my 67 SS"....

Alumitech is the best radiator I have ever installed...Im in the military and I had it delivered to work....when I opened it up we just all stood and looked at it for about an hour....it looked so well made I decided to not paint it...

Just my 2 cents...:)

I didnt have to grind or cut anything on my 68. It really was a direct fit, I bought it through the summit brand. Not sure what the difference is here or why you had to modify. :confused:

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g34/Brettd85/IMG_0233.jpg

Brett, I see in the pic your radiator tanks don't appear to be resting in the original pad locations (like you have offset your radiator towards the passenger side an inch or so). I modified my car so that the welds on the tanks rest in the original positions on the isolater pads. I assume that is the difference in our installations (I wasn't happy with how mine fit when offset in that way). Nice engine bay, btw :thumbsup:

Great thread...funny too...:)

Im a guy who has built just a few cars in my life (3 good ones to be specific..69 Camaro, 77 Vette, 67 Chevelle) and I have gone through the budget process many times.....

My current project is the 67 Chevelle and will most liklely be my last one and I wanted to do it right....and by right I mean putting it back to close to stock as possible. I admit, I was a bit shocked by the Alumitech price but I knew from previous experiance that waitng a bit longer, saving a bit more money, and parting with a rifle I wasnt really using that often anymore was what I needed to do...and buy the Alumitech....so I could just drop it in and not have to modify the car...and then be able to run it hard if I feel the need...and then have you look under the hood and say nice things...:)

Now that doesnt mean that I think buying anything else is bad...it just wasnt what I had in my plan....this time....

If you want to see the results take a look at "Alumitech installed in my 67 SS"....

Alumitech is the best radiator I have ever installed...Im in the military and I had it delivered to work....when I opened it up we just all stood and looked at it for about an hour....it looked so well made I decided to not paint it...

Just my 2 cents...:)

Hi Terry
thanks for the kind words ...the cooling system is not a place to skimp out , as you know .
saw the pics on this link
http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=265204
... nice job

keep up the good fight .
Don

My Alumitech radiator is on the way just today, I expect it to be a true drop-in/bolt-in affair.

It will be, no question.:yes:

If you buy one of these you need to be prepared to do some tough grinding/triming if you want it to properly seat into the factory pad locations.

I just got my summit/ northern radiator last week. its fits fine without any grinding or anything... I just dropped it right in. Judging by the pictures your rad looks about an inch or two too wide.. could it it be the rad support? I dont know. Ill post some pics when i get off work in the AM.

I cant blame anybody that’s on a budget building there car or doing a resto job we all have our idea of what it should cost to put a project together .. spend a little more here a little less there .. it all adds up.

When I built this business ... I wanted to be the best out there for correctness to the original radiator ..don’t even what to say what the driver side tank die cost to be correct ...and what it cost to have these tanks produced .. ouch .

some of the differences between Northern Radiators and I, may not be caught by the average guy looking to just get a aluminum radiator to pop in there ride to keep it cool .

so here is a little info

Northern rads are produced in Montgomery Alabama by thermosys corp. for Northern ( Wire feed / mig welded )on a assembly line , using the universal style tanks on both sides of the rad these dies have been paid for many times over .. they build about 5000 units a week ...one reason the behind the cost difference... mass produced .

I purchase my cores from Thermosys also .. American made , that’s my standard .. will not buy over seas stuff , just cant stomach the thought .
each rad is hand crafted and fully tig welded by me for show quality .. yes its my signature on each one .. and im the guy
you will talk to when you place your order .

We are a family business just trying to stay in the market and compete with all the oversea and mass produces rads out there .
Some of the folks here can appreciate the quality ,fit ,form and function that I am trying to provide for there Classic Muscle cars there putting thousands of dollars into ...and I know there are some awesome rides that customers and Team Chevelle members have sent me photos of .

I also know the plight of the guy being on a budget trying to get it done as inexpensive as possible ...I am not here to knock that guy .. my hat goes off to you .. like DallasMalibu .. how many hours did he take to do all the grinding and cutting to save a few bucks .

guys this is a brother hood of Chevelle owners .. lets all stick together .. and again thanks for your support .

Don

Intresting. I could have sworn I read that they were built here in MN. The building certainly looks like they would have. Learned something new today. It sure is nice to know that there is a few things out there that are still made in the USA.

Wayne, Heres my pictures as I promised. as you can see I have about an inch or two of clearance on each side. i measured and the Radiator is exactly 33 inches wide. how about yours? sure you got the right one?

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll295/happygounlucky86/SA400003-30.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll295/happygounlucky86/SA400004-31.jpg

Rick
looks like you may have the core thats 26 inch between the headers ..the right core for 68 to 72 should be 28.25 .. northern makes a few different sizes some are called universal race rads with out side dim's
can you check that .

the vertical headers should line up with the rubber saddled in the top hold down plate .. im courious

Just measured... its 28 1/4 inches across the core as it should be and the rubbers on the top panel fit perfectly into the welded seam on the side headers.

Rick, it looks like we have different core supports. Is the one in your car original?

My radiator is the 28.25" core, with the tank welds right on the pads (like yours) but everything is about an inch to the left vs yours. It does line up perfectly with the cutout from the front (for airflow).

My '72 was a 350, 2bb, AC/Auto. Is your core support a big block support maybe?

Thanks for posting the pics Rick, i've just ordered a Northern rad for my '70 bbc Part #205055 and reading this post it looks like it will be a "direct fit" . Thank you Wanye for bringing this to attention because in the afermarket world some things don't fit correctly

Hey Wayne, just for a hoot i went and measured my old 3 core rad and it is 28 1/4 and almost 33" total, just like the Northern i ordered (i live in Canada so the part # might be different than yours) and also my 70 was orginally a small block car and now its a bbc,and that old 3 core fit correct, i don't think the core supports are different

Put me also in the camp of having made modifications for fitting the Summit/Northern radiator. The issues are all around the DS tank being the same size all the way down versus the GM (and Alumitech) tanks being tapered. I needed to cut/bend and otherwise tweak the metal lips on the front and bottom tray lip at the side. I do sit in the stock saddle rubber mounts in the original BB locations.

Hey Wayne, just for a hoot i went and measured my old 3 core rad and it is 28 1/4 and almost 33" total, just like the Northern i ordered (i live in Canada so the part # might be different than yours) and also my 70 was orginally a small block car and now its a bbc,and that old 3 core fit correct, i don't think the core supports are different

If you look at the pics I posted, and then at Rick's pics, the pads on my core support put the radiator closer to the driver's-side frame rail vs Rick's. (I also have a brass/copper radiator that fits in the same pads, but it has a tappered tank that fit fine).

I am not sure why they are different. I can see pad locations for a smaller radiator also (probably for a six cylinder or non-AC car maybe).

I may take a couple more pics tonight and add to my original post.

My car was originally a small block AC car but a previous owner said he put a BB radiator in there. I dont think he changed the core support, looked to be original.

Here are three more pictures showing the radiator fitting pretty well (once I made the mods in my original post). It is sitting on the original pad locations (now with BB pads) and centered perfectly in the front opening (which I trimmed on the driver's side to open up as in a BB core support).

I have no idea why Rick's core support has the radiator further towards the passenger side than mine does.

I am pretty happy with how it turned out. Hopefully the info in this thread will help others. :thumbsup:

i have radiator repair shop in n/w ind. & have sold many alum. radiators for hotrods, race cars, pull trucks, etc. & i have (P.R.C.) performance rod & custom build all my custom radiators & never had any problems, excellent service.. they were the only one at the time that would even deal with me.& i have been in business for 10 years. just my 2 cents. thanks

So Wayne, that fit looks good but the pictures do not really show the most critical area. What you want to look at closely is that lower left (Drivers side) corner. The radiator is supposed to be able to move just a bit with the rubber pads. So you want to make sure you have wiggle room around the bottom end of the tank. With the molded lip around the bottom radiator mount tray in the core support this can be an issue. In my case there was also a molded/formed lip coming up the side down of the core support in that area too.

looks good Wayne, glad your happy with the way it turned out

Not directly related, but my Alumitech radiator arrived Monday and after a test fit I can report is is a direct drop in/bolt in with no mods. This is a '66 big block radiator going into my '65 which now has a big block. I found the radiator will bolt directly to the radiator support without a spacer as is used in my small block '65. The spacing is just perfect since I used a short water pump set up, likely wouldn't fit with a long water pump.

It's a nice looking piece!

After careful consideration and reading the post here , I have contacted Northern to try to work out a deal to carry some of there products , to satisfy the budget minded Chevelle enthusiast.

I would much rather build my own , keeping the quality standard up there , but with many guys having to resort to buying from Summit , I figure why not be able to buy a Northern rad from my web site rather then go to Summit for the budget minded guys .

my premise was to provide the best quality correct fit radiator on the market , but for the folks that are willing to make some mods to the car and ar not concerned with the correct OEM styling , well why not offer both types of radiator .

The down side is I have to buy 50 units to get pricing to compete with Summit .

Im wondering is there enough call for the guys here to do it .

looking for your thoughts here .

Don

I think I would have bought from you Don if that were an option. From a business standpoint, I figure I would be nervous going up against a big player like Summit on price though.

Maybe if you could include something Summit doesn't (like template/instructions on mods that might be necessary, or templates for mounting solutions for popular "budget" fans like the Mark VIII, Ford Mini Van, etc.. (only offered up as guides, not "perfect fit" solutions) that might give you an advantage. Along with your Spal fan kits that might really go a long way towards getting folks from this site.

With all that said, I guess I have no idea what kind of demand there really is.....

I think going up against Summit might be a bigger hassle than its worth...

Yes, some of us are budget oriented, and choose Summit not only for its prices, but its customer service, its shipping prices, etc... I know I also buy alot for Summit because of the convenience and the time (usually arrives the next day)... Then there's also the convenience of placing a large order at one time...

Don offers an excellent product. He covers that market niche, and word of mouth gets out... Not too much sense to have to buy a large order, and then spend the time talking/troubleshooting, etc. IF something doesn't work, only to be able to compete in that one area...

Keep doing what you do...

I know IF I had a nicer car, I'd be looking for something nicer, maybe an easier fit...


In my case, my car already has a 26" "Northern" thats a little too small (427 SB with A/C), so I got the Summit/Northern 28.25" (it was on sale too, around $230 IIRC). In checking out my car, a previous owner "butchered" the radiator cradle already (clearance with a hammer?). I am not about to replace the core support just for that... I also do have a tight budget with lots of other stuff to get. Finally, in my case, I will be running dual derale fans (with integral shroud), and probably a custom top plate, so I don't care if mione looks "correct", as long as it functions well..