Champion Radiator in an Early A Body

[fzmax]

I got the dimensions from Craig Durham, but it seems way too big. Has anyone run one with a V8? If so, which one did you get and how does it fit?

 

[jameskernz]

Just put a aluminum 22" Champion radiator in my 71 Duster 340, FIT WAS great. Cost $170.00 Shipped, it was a 2 row 1" tubes.
looks Great, no fitment issues.

 

[pettybludart]

Just put a aluminum 22" Champion radiator in my 71 Duster 340, FIT WAS great. Cost $170.00 Shipped, it was a 2 row 1" tubes.
looks Great, no fitment issues.

Early-A body is pre-67.FYI:-D

 

[Rockerdude]

I have the 3 core square topped one in my wagon, I had to make a small dent in the hood frame to clear one of the corners.

 

[armyofchuckness]

I did the same thing rockerdude did with my '64. Local guy did a nice job modifying my stock one and moved the brackets for better engine clearance. Works great, even if it's a tight squeeze. I had to remove a spacer and replace a transmission mount after a quick stop put the fan in the radiator.

 

[fzmax]

Got any pics of where you had to mod the hood?

 

[Darter6]

Food for thought,unless you want aluminum, I installed a 1980 Aspen rad in my 63,They call them high efficiency.Anyway, made 4 small aluminum brackets 2''x3'' to bolt to existing mounts in the rad support,boltedthe rad to the brackets (tapped 1/4-20). On the driverside had to trim a small amount from the lower rad flange. Used 1980 upper and lower hoses.Hardly noticable.No tank to hood issues. One nice thing is the bung in the top tank to mount a coolant sensor for a electric fan if wanted. Local parts house had it, total cost involved was about $160. Again just a thought.
Sorry, no pictures,should have took some.The car went to Pittsburgh last week.

 

[fzmax]

Thanks, that's a good idea.

Unrelated question, what did you do about distributor clearance to the firewall?

 

[Commando66]

Do you need a factory V8 radiator that will work in your 63? 63-64 has a different core support than 65-66. The 64 V8 radiator is a one year only piece.

 

[fzmax]

Maybe. I need a radiator that'll work, but I'm not above making some modifications. I would much rather buy an aluminum one and make it work than pay a ton for a rare factory piece. Do you have something in mind?

 

[Darter6]

My 63 still got the slant. The rads are the same specs other than the location and size of the upper hose.I bought both a slant and a V8 Aspen rad at the same time.We were swapping a 318 into the Aspen.

 

[65Valiant310]

Darter 6, what is the width of the aspen rad you used? Part number possibly?

 

[65Valiant310]

fzmax, there is a post in the cooling section with pics of a 19 inch wide rad, champion cooling aluminum, that was used in the early cars. Dont remember who started the post, sorry, it was a few months back/. I believe its the same part number that is used on the early falcons too.

 

[Darter6]

Sorry,No numbers, It has been several years ago.Check out one for a A/C car, which is 22'' core size. If I remember......

 

[cavemanmoron]

Thanks, that's a good idea.

Unrelated question, what did you do about distributor clearance to the firewall?

1963 cars did not have a factory V8 so there are Known issues with that problem, doing a V8 swap there.

Keep the slant 6 or your going to have to deal with it, maybe use a Ford V8? Front dist. ;)

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=169899

 

[rickstershemi]

fzmax, there is a post in the cooling section with pics of a 19 inch wide rad, champion cooling aluminum, that was used in the early cars. Dont remember who started the post, sorry, it was a few months back/. I believe its the same part number that is used on the early falcons too.

That was me.....65 Falcon 4-core.....if any info needed, just shoot me a PM :glasses7:

Rickster

 

[seabee]

I have the 22" Champion (EC1635) in my 1966. It was about an inch too tall so I had to make a notch in the lower support.

 

[64 SRT8 Dart]

22" 4 Row Monster Champion in my 66 Valiant w/273. Had to notch the corner of the battery tray a little bit. Can only use the top two mounting holes. Trying to remember the part number...just emailed another member last week with the p/n but I just deleted the pick with it in it today!!lol
Could prob run a flex fan without a spacer but i'm running a 14" electric and 160 degree Thermostat. Will try and find the p/n for you.
Okay found it, MC2374
It clears the hood, didn't have to do anything to the lower support but push down the metal on the bottom of the support...not much though...like 1/8" or less. Works like a top.

 

[fzmax]

Thanks everyone. Quick question, when you say 22" is that the height or the width?

 

[breakstuff]

Thanks everyone. Quick question, when you say 22" is that the height or the width?

Width

 

[Badart]

My guess is that it's the width. I know the factory made 22" and 26" radiators for the later cars.

 

[604B1duster]

Whats the overall height of the rads you guys are running ? Thanks

 

[64 SRT8 Dart]

21" from bottom to cap