Old brass radiator questions

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AuroraGirl

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Im revisiting because I need to fix my nipple, I have a post on that already. I was thinking I should pull the radiator and fix it off the truck so that I can do it right, clean everything up, etc. And while rad out, clean out the gunk around it in the truck

My question, is there anyhing i can be told about this radiator?
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Like, the red, according to 1980 shop manual, the heater core should go in it?????????? ANyone know why that was the case? Whats the blue do? Outlet to engine?

And the purple,im guessing trans cooler? Is that something I can open up and use for PS? I dont have an auto trans.
Is my radiator in anyway "desireable?" or do I need to get different mounts?

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Here are some from older pics. I have one more i couldnt find a pic of. So many damn radiators. Anything look like ofr a square? Or of import?
 

AuroraGirl

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Is this for a square?
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AuroraGirl

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Some radiators.. the small ones on floor.. how much you wanna bet it would fit my 77 electra??

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Found my next... radiator tank?

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Is this.... no.... it cant be..... CAN IT BE? What dimensions are diesel or BB radiators?! ITS BIG
 

AuroraGirl

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This must be a tractor... maybe.. weird spot for cap
 

Frankenchevy

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Is this.... no.... it cant be..... CAN IT BE? What dimensions are diesel or BB radiators?! ITS BIG
Diesel rad is roughly 34” wide by 20-22” tall. BB should be roughly the same height, but not as wide... maybe 28-30”
 

AuroraGirl

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Diesel rad is roughly 34” wide by 20-22” tall. BB should be roughly the same height, but not as wide... maybe 28-30”
Would depth, I presume, be the same then? By depth I mean thickness
 

Frankenchevy

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Would depth, I presume, be the same then? By depth I mean thickness
Same as? Thickness varies from sbc to bbc radiator, but I only know that due to the recent thread on the topic of “hold downs”

As far as bbc to diesel, I have no idea. My truck was originally a diesel. I have the dimensions in my head from finding reverse rotation clutch fans and/or shrouds that are the correct size.
 

Turbo4whl

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Taylor, so many questions. Yes, red is heater core return on some models. If your heater is working well in the winter, leave as is. Blue is for a temp sensor for electric fan, you don't need that either. Yes, purple is for auto trans. Do not use it for power steering. The trans runs hotter than the engine, so this works for that. P/S cooler should be air cooled in front of the engine radiator. Power steering never should be that warm.

Post #19 pictures could be squares, need to measure them. They do not look like heavy duty cores with any extra rows.

Post #20 could be an older car or truck. Top and bottom tanks instead of side tanks. Pressure cap in the center used to be common.
 

AuroraGirl

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Taylor, so many questions. Yes, red is heater core return on some models. If your heater is working well in the winter, leave as is. Blue is for a temp sensor for electric fan, you don't need that either. Yes, purple is for auto trans. Do not use it for power steering. The trans runs hotter than the engine, so this works for that. P/S cooler should be air cooled in front of the engine radiator. Power steering never should be that warm.

Post #19 pictures could be squares, need to measure them. They do not look like heavy duty cores with any extra rows.

Post #20 could be an older car or truck. Top and bottom tanks instead of side tanks. Pressure cap in the center used to be common.
Well Im more curious as to why the heater core would return to the radiator. Like, it goes from manifold and water pump to heater core. how did they plump to the radiator and for what cause?

Also, an electric fan? What square had that?
 

AuroraGirl

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1978, 1980
Truck Model
K10, K25
Engine Size
400(?), 350
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AuroraGirl

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Taylor
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1978, 1980
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K10, K25
Engine Size
400(?), 350
Sadly, big block(towing, 400, ac, 4wd, 1/2 ton) radiator was a bust. Junk. Rotted internally from nest and time and humidity.

Next stop, large radiator in grand am which still has coolant!!
 

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