Radiator Core Support-Measurement
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 153
Likes: 2
From: Belle Mead, N.J., U.S.A.
Radiator Core Support-Measurement
I am replacing my core support and need help in figuring what to order. I have a 72, small block, auto, no a/c. My current core support measures 27 3/4 inches from inside the side frame to the other inside side frame. I see the replacements are 26 inch or 27 inch and I thought the measurement for a 27 inch should be 27 1/2 inches from the center of the side support to the center of the other side support. What am I missing?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Tom DeWitt may be able to walk you through this one.
Tom@DeWitts.com
Also, if you're in need of a new radiator...see him first.
Tom@DeWitts.com
Also, if you're in need of a new radiator...see him first.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
The 69-72 SB with auto would have the copper/brass radiator which we measure as 26".
Core measurements are "inside" the sides only. That means the fin area only and not the core edges, that's where most error.
Since you came up with 27 3/4" I'll bet that measures 27 1/2" inside (fin area) only and that is the big block radiator. The most obvious difference between a SB 26" and the BB 27.5" is the fact the SB has a filler neck and the BB does not. But wait, it gets more complicated. The 73 radiator is exactly the same radiator at the 69-72 BB except it HAS a filler neck. A lot of people will replace the BB radiator with a 73 to eliminate the surge tanks, or it might be the local radiator shop just wanted to stock one model fits all thing.
Core supports are measured a little bit different than cores. I use the "plus 1/2" rule. To get the exact center to center distance, measure from the outside of one bracket to the inside of the other. That's the center distance, which will be about 1/2 larger than the core because it mounts on the core header. So core support are 26.5 and 28
