Page 1 of 1
1970 radiator blues
Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 8:15 am
by weezer
Hello, all. New guy here. I'm looking at a 1970 D100 with automatic transmission. It's in pretty good shape and I can get a really good deal on it. BUT...the radiator has been replaced by a, shall we say, non-original, unit with miles of flex hose to hook it up. I've done some research and there does not seem to be a ready source for a 1970-specific radiator available. I see that there are some custom built ones but, frankly I would then have almost as much in the rad as I would the whole purchase price of the truck. Can anyone suggest where I can get a correct radiator? Even a universal one would if it would fit well. And, yes, I have called the local junk yards. No go. Hell, there weren't a whole lot of these trucks when they were new! Thanks in advance. W
Re: 1970 radiator blues
Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 9:32 am
by chilort
What's the engine?
For big block trucks, some people are making radiators for Diplomats work.
It gets complex though because Mopar apparently made different water pump outlet locations over the years.
Re: 1970 radiator blues
Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 10:08 am
by weezer
It's a 318. Sorry. That would make a difference.
Re: 1970 radiator blues
Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 12:31 am
by shdnobetter
I went through the same thing. I ended up using a new unit from Autozone for a '72-80 truck. I just had to fabricate some adapter mounts for it; it wasn't real difficult, and the radiator was only $179.99 I think, with a lifetime warranty.
Re: 1970 radiator blues
Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 12:35 pm
by JimE
Check with the local wrecking yards for a 75-80 Dodge Diplomat. The radiators will just about bolt up to the shroud. Jim
Re: 1970 radiator blues
Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 9:34 am
by weezer
Thanks, guys. I'll look at the parts store today or tomorrow and see what I can find. As long as the inlet/outlet are on the correct side and I can hook up the automatic trans lines, I can deal with adapting the mounting bolts.
Re: 1970 radiator blues
Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 2:44 am
by HellBelly
I have plenty of original ones., just shoot me an e-mail
sweptlineparts@gmail.com
www.sweptlineparts.com
Thanks, Scott
Re: 1970 radiator blues
Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 7:23 am
by weezer
Thanks, Scott. I think I have found one locally. I'm gonna take it home tonite and see if it will work. I did send you an e-mail about the trans cooler lines. The ones on my truck are pretty well hashed. Thanks again.
Re: 1970 radiator blues
Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 1:38 pm
by chilort
Did someone say trans cooler lines? I think we really need to convince someone like Fine Lines to repop these things.
viewtopic.php?f=19&t=19543
Re: 1970 radiator blues
Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 3:53 pm
by rjmeuer
The radiator was the first thing I had to replace in mine when I started working on it. I used a 70s Ford radiator from the junk yard. All I did was measure the tranny inlets and make sure the radiator inlet/outlet were on the right side. Also measured width. It didnt take too long to find one that worked. Maybe an hour searching at the junk yard and it works great.
Re: 1970 radiator blues
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 11:07 am
by weezer
Just to put a period on this...Scott sent me a set of tranny lines in very good condition and I hope to get them installed over the holiday weekend. Thanks, Scott. And Thanks to all who offered help. I can highly recommend doing business with Scott and I'm sure I'll be doing so again soon.
Re: 1970 radiator blues
Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 6:38 am
by MountainMoparRobin
Glad to see you found one, for I just recently calles 4 parts store on radiators and all, yes ALL had access to the original copper/brass radiator and I was surprised that the prices were $125.00 for a 3 row new