[rsandy]

My repop Big Block manual trans radiator is now 23 years old and developing seeps noticeable on the floor after a cruise. Time to replace it!

I’ve restored my car the as exact original standards as possible. Unfortunately i know I can’t get a Harrison so I’ll settle for and exact look and fit repop.
My question is who’s making the best quality while maintaining that exact original appearance?

I’m ready to buy but internet searches are not giving me the education I’m looking for.

No better place to get expert experience and knowledge than here!!!

thanks
Rick

 

[Chevelle SS 396/375]

Some of the well known Chevelle parts suppliers have radiators....stock looking as well as aluminum...Ground Up, OPGI, NPD(?). I have yet to find anyone who makes original looking radiators like what my '67 L78 had (4 row Harrison, with finger guard only). That's what I want eventually. Please post back if you find a good source for original looking radiators.

John

 

[Indyguy]

I put in a 4 core, stock looking, US Radiator last winter and ran it in traffic on some pretty hot days this past summer, temp was rock solid.
I have a mild 396 running a cheap Gates water pump, nothing special.

 

[rsandy]

I put in a 4 core, stock looking, US Radiator last winter and ran it in traffic on some pretty hot days this past summer, temp was rock solid.
I have a mild 396 running a cheap Gates water pump, nothing special.

Thanks. Where did you get your U.S.rad?

 

[Indyguy]

This is what I got for my 69 BB Camaro
67 68 69 Camaro & Firebird BB 4 Core Radiator Assembly Straight Neck w/Manual

Reading the description, they say they offer Harrison "assembly line correct" radiators also. I can't speak to that but the US Radiator I have looks stock and has been great all summer.

 

[rsandy]

Thanks. It appears that US Radiator is what I should buy. Just need to figure out who sells them

 

[427L88]

RSANDY, what no radiator shops in your area? Are the tanks leaking? If not have them recore your original. The new heating core is actually more effiicient than the original Harrison. Not cheap. Cost me $400 or so. New core, new stop cock. If you have any special tabs BE SURE TO TELL THEM not to remove them!

PS mine is not original to the 67, but a std 70;s Harrison I preferred to keep in service.

PSS I;ve seen Mexi-made rads that are look alikes. Avail thru the rad shop jobber.

I say again, got a local radiator shop anymore? They can be very helpful. esp if they're OLD GUYS!

 

[rsandy]

Thanks but as I said in my original post what i have is a 23 year old reproduction. Since it’s a reproduction it’s faster and easier to just swap for a new reproduction unit. I’m just wanting to know who makes the best Harrison look alike!!

 

[427L88]

The mexi-made one I saw looked really good. Cant say who carries them, other than pro rad shops thru their jobber. $200

 

[dane63]

I would get the one you have repaired, at least when you get it back it will fit and cool as it did before. The reproduction one will not look like an original Harrison and may not fit correctly and cool properly.

 

[oldguy67]

Dewitts aluminum with the black-coating. outstanding quality

 

[rsandy]

I did look at Dewitt with black. I’m also looking closely at US Radiator

 

[rsandy]

I would get the one you have repaired, at least when you get it back it will fit and cool as it did before. The reproduction one will not look like an original Harrison and may not fit correctly and cool properly.

Thanks. You may have missed the part in my post that I already have a reproduction, it’s 23 years old. So repairing what i have is an option that I’m looking at but at 23 years old replacement is likely better

 

[AZCamino]

OPGI sells a replacement 66/67 big block radiator made by U.S. Radiator. It is the same size as an original 3 row Harrison but has a 4 row core. Here is a photo of the replacement compared to a 1966 3 row Harrison.

It has some differences as well as the missing Harrison script. It doesn't have the overflow tube retainers on the side and it doesn't have the steel frame on the bottom. It doesn't have welded nuts for retaining a shroud.

I bought my radiator from OPGI, but it was shipped directly from U.S. Radiator after assembly.

 

[rsandy]

Awesome detail. Thanks for the extra effort to post these and explain. This takes a lot of research. Fortunately US Radiator has a web site and configurations can be selected. They actually offer advanced cooling features but the cost is about $1000. The issue is that third party sellers like ground up sell a US RADIATOR for half the cost. I’ve checked directly with USR support and indeed there are at least 3 different configurations and 3 different part numbers for a big block 67

4 row is an option
Triple flow design is an upgrade
If i buy direct from USR this part number seems to offer best fit/look/
High Eff. With Tripleflow, 010690SNNZT= $925.63

seems the the 3rd parties like Ground up and maybe OPGI or any mass reseller may sell for large discount due to volume but also that they sell a “standard” unit rather than an “advanced” design.

seems it’s like buying a stereo, too many options. The required research makes your head spin

I’m reasonably sure I will go USR and it comes down to swallowing the $1k cost to get advanced features or ???

awesome of you to send those pics and your analysis! Very much appreciated
Thanks,
Rick

 

[dane63]

Thanks. You may have missed the part in my post that I already have a reproduction, it’s 23 years old. So repairing what i have is an option that I’m looking at but at 23 years old replacement is likely better

I didn't miss that part, it is just that the 23 year old one was probably U.S made and of good quality and the new one you buy today won't be.
Good luck with the new radiator you choose!

 

[cage2592]

US Radiator Copper/brass for me as well. I just went back and looked at their web price. I didn't pay that much, but I would today if I needed it. Excellent quality.

Mike

 

[rsandy]

US Radiator Copper/brass for me as well. I just went back and looked at their web price. I didn't pay that much, but I would today if I needed it. Excellent quality.

Mike

Thanks Mike. I will buy the expensive one direct from USR. You get what you pay for

 

[cage2592]

Of course cooling needs to be matched with the entire system. I get asked why not an aluminum when talking cooling. I can sit idling in the FL. summer heat with a 160* thermostat and AC on and get about 180-185* engine temp all day. Radiator build being equal, Aluminum doesn't come close to the thermal dissipation qualities of Copper. Many that go from old Copper an Aluminum notice a huge temp difference mainly because they're going from an old and thin Copper (sometimes clogged) to a new and most times larger Aluminum. Going to the Alum just happened to fix the original flow issue. Copper did its job in that day and still kept our engines cool when new.

Mike

 

[rsandy]

Of course cooling needs to be matched with the entire system. I get asked why not an aluminum when talking cooling. I can sit idling in the FL. summer heat with a 160* thermostat and AC on and get about 180-185* engine temp all day. Radiator build being equal, Aluminum doesn't come close to the thermal dissipation qualities of Copper. Many that go from old Copper an Aluminum notice a huge temp difference mainly because they're going from an old and thin Copper (sometimes clogged) to a new and most times larger Aluminum. Going to the Alum just happened to fix the original flow issue. Copper did its job in that day and still kept our engines cool when new.

Mike

Where in florida? I’m in Oviedo. I have factory A/C and run a steady 220 with a 180 stat