Need radiator advise

[Bill Rose]

I've put off choosing a good radiator till the end of the Nova project. I'm looking for advise on a top quality, stock looking, radiator, for my big block 69 Nova. Some say copper, some say brass/copper cools better. I'm a bit confused with the number of rows that is best. Either 3 or 4.....does the 4 row screw up the room needed for the stock 5 blade fan? Someone also said the big block 69 Nova's didn't get a fan spacer.

So I'm looking for a radiator that fits, looks fairly stock, and will cool a slightly modified big block.

[69PACE]

Bill - just went through this with my 69 Camaro. Hands down the only true looking GM Harrison radiator reproduction is the Harrison reproduction. But from what I found they are using the original molds so are they really reproductions?

In any event the closest other I found was US Radiator - but I found a lot of negative comments about hard to mount fan shrouds and very bad welds. But at half the price maybe it is what you are looking for.

In the end I went with the "Harrison" and I have got to say inch by inch comparison to my original Harrison is that it is the real thing. The only difference I can see was that I could only find a three row in stock, and my original was 2 row and I did not want to wait the 6 to 8 weeks for build on demand 2 row.

I think the base 396 Camaro used 3 rows unless it had A/C, then 4 row was used. 4 rows were used on the two other Camaro 396's. I would assume the cousin Nova was similar specifications?

[Bill Rose]

Thanks for the comments Brian......I also read a few neg comments about US radiatior, thats one of the reasons for this post. The Harrison is twice the money, but it seems like a good part at least. Anyone out there have a US Radiator they're happy with....Fit and keeps the big block from getting hot?

[WILMASBOYL78]

Bill...I have the US Radiator product in two of our cars...both 4 row versions. They fit fine and work well for cooling...I couldn't justify spending more than twice the price for the Harrison re-pop model...if I was going to spend that much, I would buy the Alumi-tech unit and paint it black or find an original and restore it. The 5 blade fan was used on both 69 and 70 BB Novas..NO SPACER.

The 5 blade fan will fit with the 4 row...

Hope that helps...tom

[Xplantdad]

From what I understand, Alumi-tech is no more....

[WILMASBOYL78]

I heard he had some family medical issues...too bad..the products were of the highest quality.

wilma

[Xplantdad]

Tom,

That's what I heard as well!

[Bill Rose]

Tom, do you know the part number of the 4 row radiators that you got from US Radiator? They make several different versions, and apparently some use a different aftermarket fan shroud. If I had a specific part #, I would know I'm getting the right one.

[69PACE]

Yeah Alumi-tech was also on my list as being one of if not the best aluminum replacement radiators out there. I had bookmarked their website last fall - but all I could find was someone posted a blurb - now shutdown - that said the business would close on December 31 2012. I called Hagerty Insurance who listed them on their website and was told the same.

I found several new and used Alumi-tech radiators for 69's being put up on eBay back this past spring - don't know who was behind the screen name maybe Alumi-tech owners clearing out unsold inventory, or a distributor dumping product but with no manufacturer guarantee I stayed away from the buy now button since the price was not cheaper then I had seen on the website last fall.

I hope that owner Don Kyte and his family are doing well and the decision to close was just a business decision.

[WILMASBOYL78]

Bill...I will have to look back thru my files and see if I can find it....here is the link to the 4 row units. I believe we have the middle one... because the unit does have the tranny cooler connections. Both cars have an OEM fan shroud setup...we have one in our 68 BB car w/TH400 with a modified roller motor...works good...the other is in a basically stock 1970 L78/TH400...again it works fine. I might add that I have a Stewart HI-perf water pump on the 68...matching thermostat..aux. trans. cooler..and 6 blade steel fan...stock shroud...the 70 has stock water pump, hi-perf stat, flex fan, stock shroud, aux. cooler...

***BB cars generate a lot of heat (as you know)...I don't drive them in 90* weather//with headers it just gets too warm.

That optima unit sounds interesting...since you have a 4 speed it might be the best route to go..not sure about the shroud.

hope this helps...tew

http://www.usradiator.com/chevrolet-nova-1968-71-v8-396-radiator-9991.html#OPT

[Bill Rose]

I got some additional pm's and emails from more guys who have the US radiators and that seems best for my needs. I ordered a 4 row/should be here this week. Thanks for the advise gentlemen.