radiator swap

[lugnut123]

Could you take a cross flow radiator from about a 71 chevy and mount it sideways in my dodge and make it work. The fill side of your radiator would be on top . Will this cool ok??

[Dave72dt]

That's definitely a new question! I would think you would have problems filling it to start with. Wouldn't the fill cap be pointing sideways? Would definitely need an expansion tank and a really good fitting cap. Will that orient the hose connections correctly. I think the mounting points will end up on the sides as well and those little U shaped rubbers wouldn't support much going in that direction. Other than that, I suppose it would work, but don't quote me saying it will.

[Dan Babb]

I don't see why it wouldn't work. I don't think the orientation of the tanks is an issue.

You could get a rubber plug (an expandable freeze plug with a bolt in the middle of it) to seal off the original fill port and get remote fill port to put in the upper hose...but you'd need to make sure the fill port was higher than the radiator inlet pipe.

[41/53dodges]

we used a 66' mustang radiator in mine. works great, smaller in every dimension, easy to make brackets for, only issue is the hose size & thermostat direction. i can get pics if you want.

[chopt50wgn]

A crossflow radiator is nothing more than a top/bottom tank radiator on its side. If the fill and inlet/outlets can be used , then it will still work.

[lugnut123]

I think I will try it just cuzz I can and I have a good radiator. I will solder the inlet solid and get a necked inlet off another radiator I have and see what happens. thanks everyone.

[41/53dodges]

cool, can you post some pics as you go?

[jmooner3]

I picked up a Rad from a local junkyard. Had 87 Camero written on it? It looked like a cross tube rad but the fill is on an angle at one corner and the input output are close to right location when turned on it's side. I "rigged" it on to the frame and the engine runs great with it, stays at temp around the yard, no sheetmetal or road speeds yet...could be an option for you.

[Dan Babb]

What are the measurements on that 87 Camaro radiator?

Got any pictures you can share?

[jmooner3]

Hey Dan - I haven't tried to fit it into the truck as I was just looking for temp solution to run the engine with no sheet metal. I'll grab some pix and a measurement when I get back out to the truck. I have a flip video of it, I can't send it via the forum. If you shoot me an email at JMOONER3@YAHOO.COM I'll kick it over to you so you can see if the rad might be something you can work with.

[Dan Babb]

Thanks for the offer...but I found one that worked for me. I would like to see some pictures to see how your project is coming along though.