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Need a Radiator for my 74 cuda #3037373
04/26/22 09:27 PM
04/26/22 09:27 PM
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 958
eastern, pa.
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cudabitten Offline OP
super stock
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Joined: May 2008
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eastern, pa.
Hi everyone, I'm looking for advice on replacing my 26 inch radiator in my 74 cuda. I have the original one in there now and had it repaired 7 years ago during the restore. I just noticed it has a small leak and I think its time to replace it. I only drive this car on the weekends for a couple hours but I want a solid car without having to worry about getting stuck anywhere. I put a 360 in with a slightly hot cam, has the 904, and A/C but I never put the A/C back in. (maybe in the future). Also just uses the engine fan, no electric. The original radiator seemed to keep it cool enough, What brand and prices do you guys recommend?
I called Griffin and they have an aluminum one for $833.00 plus shipping. I also see other ones out there, but there are no reviews.

Thanks.

Re: Need a Radiator for my 74 cuda [Re: cudabitten] #3037397
04/26/22 10:03 PM
04/26/22 10:03 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,486
Freeport IL USA
poorboy Offline
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Posts: 10,486
Freeport IL USA
I've used a few Champion Radiators (not replacement, but custom applications) and have had great luck with them. Generally they run about 1/2 the price of Griffin, and the Champion box says "Made in the USA" on them.

you probably want to make sure whatever you buy is actually "in stock". Lots of places without radiators in stock right now.

Re: Need a Radiator for my 74 cuda [Re: poorboy] #3037408
04/26/22 10:25 PM
04/26/22 10:25 PM
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 236
USA
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Grizzly69 Online content
enthusiast
Grizzly69  Online Content
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 236
USA
GlenRay.

Re: Need a Radiator for my 74 cuda [Re: Grizzly69] #3037619
04/27/22 02:50 PM
04/27/22 02:50 PM
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,713
Central Florida
larrymopar360 Offline
Stud Muffin
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,713
Central Florida
Originally Posted by Grizzly69
GlenRay.
Yes, especially when you are seeing nothing but junk in the aftermarket or a strange looking aluminum radiator under the hood. I cannot say enough good things about Glen Ray. Pricey yes but the quality is so good and so worth it along with their Customer Service. I'll never get a Mopar radiator anywhere else as long as they are in business.

I have heard good things about Champion aluminum radiators but I just need to have that Mopar look under my hoods and know the Glen Ray will outlast everything.


Facts are stubborn things.
Re: Need a Radiator for my 74 cuda [Re: larrymopar360] #3037626
04/27/22 03:08 PM
04/27/22 03:08 PM
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 6,175
nowhere
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Sniper Offline
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Originally Posted by larrymopar360
Originally Posted by Grizzly69
GlenRay.
Yes, especially when you are seeing nothing but junk in the aftermarket or a strange looking aluminum radiator under the hood. I cannot say enough good things about Glen Ray. Pricey yes but the quality is so good and so worth it along with their Customer Service. I'll never get a Mopar radiator anywhere else as long as they are in business.

I have heard good things about Champion aluminum radiators but I just need to have that Mopar look under my hoods and know the Glen Ray will outlast everything.


I ended up with a Champion under the hood of my 51 Plymouth. Fixing mine was Glen Ray territory on cost and I am not a resto type of guy anyway. So for a 5th the cost and a can of black radiator paint I put in a Champion. It's not stock, but it doesn't stick out like a turd in a punch bowl either.

Re: Need a Radiator for my 74 cuda [Re: Sniper] #3037630
04/27/22 03:19 PM
04/27/22 03:19 PM
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,713
Central Florida
larrymopar360 Offline
Stud Muffin
larrymopar360  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,713
Central Florida
Originally Posted by Sniper
Originally Posted by larrymopar360
Originally Posted by Grizzly69
GlenRay.
Yes, especially when you are seeing nothing but junk in the aftermarket or a strange looking aluminum radiator under the hood. I cannot say enough good things about Glen Ray. Pricey yes but the quality is so good and so worth it along with their Customer Service. I'll never get a Mopar radiator anywhere else as long as they are in business.

I have heard good things about Champion aluminum radiators but I just need to have that Mopar look under my hoods and know the Glen Ray will outlast everything.


I ended up with a Champion under the hood of my 51 Plymouth. Fixing mine was Glen Ray territory on cost and I am not a resto type of guy anyway. So for a 5th the cost and a can of black radiator paint I put in a Champion. It's not stock, but it doesn't stick out like a turd in a punch bowl either.
Yeah a Champion and then painting black did cross my mind to be honest. But then I did my first Glen Ray and was so happy with it, but I can completely understand the Champion route and black paint up


Facts are stubborn things.
Re: Need a Radiator for my 74 cuda [Re: larrymopar360] #3037683
04/27/22 05:37 PM
04/27/22 05:37 PM
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,914
Calgary, Alberta Canada
a12rag Offline
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Posts: 2,914
Calgary, Alberta Canada
Course if you have a good local rad shop, they can rebuild your existing rad for you . . . High Efficiency 2 row core . . . or 3 row . . . and then you retain your OE rad . . .

Re: Need a Radiator for my 74 cuda [Re: a12rag] #3038231
04/29/22 01:08 PM
04/29/22 01:08 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,239
north of coder
moparx Offline
"Butt Crack Bob"
moparx  Offline
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,239
north of coder
good radiator shops are becoming scarcer by the day.
around here, the only one i can think of is a heavy truck repair place 20 miles away in the next town over.
however, after seeing their work and hearing what it cost, i would be ahead by just tossing 20 dollar bills out into the street in front of my house ! mad down
beer

Re: Need a Radiator for my 74 cuda [Re: moparx] #3041713
05/12/22 07:29 AM
05/12/22 07:29 AM
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 958
eastern, pa.
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cudabitten Offline OP
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 958
eastern, pa.
Thank you for the replies.
I ended up taking it down to a shop thats been in business since 1963. Its an Auto glass and Radiator repair shop. They actually replaced my original 71 Challenger windshield probably 42 years ago. (wish I still had that car).
Dropped the radiator off on monday, headed down today. They fixed it 7 years ago when I did the restore for around 30-50 bucks and the guy even painted it.
Reminds me of the old days, when people actually worked and cared about customers.Even if it only lasts me another 5 years, I enjoy the experience of taking it out and getting fixed and re-installing, like when we were 16.
Now I'm gonna want to flush the system out and maybe try something other than Prestone?
Thanks,
Chris.







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