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Help--70 Challenger 19" radiator to a 26" conversion? #1598680 03/26/14 03:16 PM 03/26/14 03:16 PM
Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 29 USA L l13 OP member
l13 OP member L Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 29 USA	I am looking to convert a 19" radiator to a 26" in a 1970 Challenger. I have had several suggestions offered to make this happen and yet still not sure how to proceed. Ultimately, I would like this to look stock and not hacked up or converted. Several individuals say I need the 22" conversion panel only (left panel), another mentions that both left and right radiator support panels need to be replaced and yet another says only a complete support assembly repalcement will work. Has anyone done this type of conversion correctly and if so are you willing to share the process? Thanks

Re: Help--70 Challenger 19" radiator to a 26" conversion? [Re: l13] #1598681 03/26/14 06:36 PM 03/26/14 06:36 PM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska R RapidRobert Circle Track
RapidRobert Circle Track R Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska	Welcome aboard . I hope that someone who has done it sees this & can give you some info so that you can make the right mods live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth

Re: Help--70 Challenger 19" radiator to a 26" conversion? [Re: l13] #1598682 03/26/14 08:14 PM 03/26/14 08:14 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,809 North Dakota Azzkikrcuda top fuel
Azzkikrcuda top fuel Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,809 North Dakota	I did this on a 70 Challenger went from a 22" to a 26" radiator. Bolted the stock 26" radiator in on the drive side using the factory bolt holes. Drilled new holes on the passenger side core support to line up with the radiator mount holes. You will need to add washers or make spacers to get it even on the passenger side. You can cut out the passenger side core support opening to get more air flow across the wider radiator. Doing this I used the stock shroud and fan and they lined up perfectly. If you want the original look you will have to replace the passenger side core support. If you make nice spacers that run the full length up and down on the passenger side radiator mounting flange and cut the core opening wider it looks good. The only Carbs I care about are under the hood!

Re: Help--70 Challenger 19" radiator to a 26" conversion? [Re: l13] #1598683 03/26/14 08:26 PM 03/26/14 08:26 PM
Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 711 San Francisco D dilvoy super stock
dilvoy super stock D Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 711 San Francisco	Both sides need to be changed to make it look original, because both sides are different than the small radiator type. You'll need to remove the fenders to completely change them.

Re: Help--70 Challenger 19" radiator to a 26" conversion? [Re: RapidRobert] #1598684 03/27/14 12:24 PM 03/27/14 12:24 PM
Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 29 USA L l13 OP member
l13 OP member L Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 29 USA	Hi Rapid Robert, Thank you for the greeting and comment. L13

Re: Help--70 Challenger 19" radiator to a 26" conversion? [Re: dilvoy] #1598685 03/27/14 12:35 PM 03/27/14 12:35 PM
Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 29 USA L l13 OP member
l13 OP member L Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 29 USA	Good morning Dilvoy & Azzkikcuda, Thank you for your time and efforts to respond to my need for help on this project. Obviously, I would prefer to keep it original looking and not have to hack up the panels or take the frontend apart. If I went to a 22" radiator does this change anything in regards to replacing one or both panels? Thanks again,

Re: Help--70 Challenger 19" radiator to a 26" conversion? [Re: l13] #1598686 03/27/14 01:39 PM 03/27/14 01:39 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 5,138 East Aurora (Buffalo) NY RoadRunner master
RoadRunner master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 5,138 East Aurora (Buffalo) NY	I wasn't sure if there was a 19" and 22" radiator. I do know that there are only two openings for the core supprot. One being the 22" and the other for the 26" wide unit. I would guess the 19" wide radiator probably has wider side mounts to fit the same 22" wide opening. As mentioned both sides are different, though the drivers side is only about 1/2" different. I have seen folks slot the holes in the mounting brace to slide over the radiator. you still need to change the passenger side. Another option may be to find a radiator shop that can recore your stock radiator with an extra row of tubes and higher fin count. I did this on my 68 Road Runner and it kept my nicely built 440 cool even in the summer. 68 Road Runner (383/4speed, post car w/decor pkg) - Major Project 69 Road Runner w/472 Hemi & 4 speed. 70 Challenger R/T SE EF8 w/ V9J, U - A32 - Major Project 2023 Ford Mach 1

Re: Help--70 Challenger 19" radiator to a 26" conversion? [Re: RoadRunner] #1598687 03/27/14 02:11 PM 03/27/14 02:11 PM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska R RapidRobert Circle Track
RapidRobert Circle Track R Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska	Quote: I do know that there are only two openings for the core supprot. Another option may be to find a radiator shop that can recore your stock radiator with an extra row of tubes and higher fin count. If I wanted a stock rad that's what I would do. get the bigger one that will fit without cutting things then having a shop recore it. There's always the "champion" alum (non stock) radiator option. Shroud/properly spaced (into it) MP thermal clutch fan/anticav plate/180 hi flow stat live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth

Re: Help--70 Challenger 19" radiator to a 26" conversion? [Re: l13] #1598688 03/27/14 02:16 PM 03/27/14 02:16 PM
Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 4,242 State of retirement 5 52savoy master
52savoy master 5 Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 4,242 State of retirement	It just so happens I have a set(E-body) ..left and right for a 26" radiator that I was going to use on a project.. Send me pm if your interested.

Re: Help--70 Challenger 19" radiator to a 26" conversion? [Re: l13] #1598689 04/01/14 11:01 AM 04/01/14 11:01 AM
Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 433 Wausau Wisconsin USA North Ame... R radiatorman mopar
radiatorman mopar R Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 433 Wausau Wisconsin USA North Ame...	Quote: Good morning Dilvoy & Azzkikcuda, Thank you for your time and efforts to respond to my need for help on this project. Obviously, I would prefer to keep it original looking and not have to hack up the panels or take the frontend apart. If I went to a 22" radiator does this change anything in regards to replacing one or both panels? Thanks again, 19" and 22" radiators use the same radiator support. The brackets that solder to the radiator are the difference as they are wider on the 19" radiator. Bob

Re: Help--70 Challenger 19" radiator to a 26" conversion? [Re: radiatorman] #1598690 04/01/14 04:31 PM 04/01/14 04:31 PM
Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 29 USA L l13 OP member
l13 OP member L Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 29 USA	Hi Bob, Thank you for the information. This helps.

Re: Help--70 Challenger 19" radiator to a 26" conversion? [Re: l13] #1598691 04/04/14 10:47 AM 04/04/14 10:47 AM
Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 915 near New Haven, CT F fireeng super stock
fireeng super stock F Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 915 near New Haven, CT	I just changed the passenger side section on my radiator support to go from a 22 to a 26 in my 71 challenger it looks completely stock. 8101071-radsupport.jpg (37 downloads) 2016 Diesel Ram 3500 Mason Dump 1971 Challenger 2013 Jeep Wrangler 1979 Dodge Ram Power Wagon 400 Mini Pumper My other car is a Fire Truck.

Re: Help--70 Challenger 19" radiator to a 26" conversion? [Re: fireeng] #1598692 04/04/14 04:32 PM 04/04/14 04:32 PM
Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 29 USA L l13 OP member
l13 OP member L Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 29 USA	Hi Fireeng, Thank you for the photo,looks good. 52Savoy has been very helpful with info as well and had the side panels I needed. I will install them when they arrive. Did you spot weld yours or mig them with a fill?

Re: Help--70 Challenger 19" radiator to a 26" conversion? [Re: l13] #1598693 04/04/14 04:38 PM 04/04/14 04:38 PM
Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 915 near New Haven, CT F fireeng super stock
fireeng super stock F Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 915 near New Haven, CT	Quote: Hi Fireeng, Thank you for the photo,looks good. 52Savoy has been very helpful with info as well and had the side panels I needed. I will install them when they arrive. Did you spot weld yours or mig them with a fill? Not sure, the guys at the shop did it, but I believe it was migged.. 2016 Diesel Ram 3500 Mason Dump 1971 Challenger 2013 Jeep Wrangler 1979 Dodge Ram Power Wagon 400 Mini Pumper My other car is a Fire Truck.

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