3 row aluminum radiator install
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Guam
3 row aluminum radiator install
i just bought a 3 row aluminum radiator for my 78. I saw it on e-bay and called the number. The guy said that he installed the same radiator i got in his 75 and it fit perfectly. I didn't know how much bigger a 3 row is compared to a 1 row. Anybody install a 3 row in their car? The 2 radiator brackets seem too small. Is there an aftermarket bracket out there or do i have to make one myself?
Pro
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 572
Likes: 1
From: Cooksville Maryland
DC Area Events Coordinator
I was tempted to do the same. Make sure you take pictures, etc. Are you going with an electric fan setup? Dual fans? Custom shroud? It CAN get expensive with this upgrade. That's why I am saving it for after the suspension. What did you pay for the 3 row?
We will help !
We will help !
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,227
Likes: 671
From: Northeast
You need to determine the size of the radiator.
In 78 for a standard radiator:
Width 26.3
Height 16.97
Thickness L48 1.96, L82 2.68
same size if you have ac
Heavy duty for a L48 is 26.3 x 16.97 x 2.68
I installed a 2 row for my L82 I bought locally and it was about 1/4 inch smaller in thickness but fits ok. I wanted to match it to the old since any new one might have a different angle for the hose fittings. I did not need to buy anything else.
In 78 for a standard radiator:
Width 26.3
Height 16.97
Thickness L48 1.96, L82 2.68
same size if you have ac
Heavy duty for a L48 is 26.3 x 16.97 x 2.68
I installed a 2 row for my L82 I bought locally and it was about 1/4 inch smaller in thickness but fits ok. I wanted to match it to the old since any new one might have a different angle for the hose fittings. I did not need to buy anything else.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
You need to determine the size of the radiator.
In 78 for a standard radiator:
Width 26.3
Height 16.97
Thickness L48 1.96, L82 2.68
same size if you have ac
Heavy duty for a L48 is 26.3 x 16.97 x 2.68
I installed a 2 row for my L82 I bought locally and it was about 1/4 inch smaller in thickness but fits ok. I wanted to match it to the old since any new one might have a different angle for the hose fittings. I did not need to buy anything else.
In 78 for a standard radiator:
Width 26.3
Height 16.97
Thickness L48 1.96, L82 2.68
same size if you have ac
Heavy duty for a L48 is 26.3 x 16.97 x 2.68
I installed a 2 row for my L82 I bought locally and it was about 1/4 inch smaller in thickness but fits ok. I wanted to match it to the old since any new one might have a different angle for the hose fittings. I did not need to buy anything else.
My L-82 the 3 core aluminum fit right in
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,557
Likes: 9
From: Oquirrh Mountains
St. Jude Donor '09
i just bought a 3 row aluminum radiator for my 78. I saw it on e-bay and called the number. The guy said that he installed the same radiator i got in his 75 and it fit perfectly. I didn't know how much bigger a 3 row is compared to a 1 row. Anybody install a 3 row in their car? The 2 radiator brackets seem too small. Is there an aftermarket bracket out there or do i have to make one myself?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
I installed a 3-row Champion aluminum radiator from eBay in my '80 this summer. I just had to bend the upper brackets down a bit to make it perfectly. Note, however, that I don't have the stock fan shroud or mechanical fan. I have shrouded dual 11" electric fans.
Other than having to bend the upper brackets down, the radiator fits great and cools well too.
Other than having to bend the upper brackets down, the radiator fits great and cools well too.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 37
Likes: 1
I installed a 3-row Champion aluminum radiator from eBay in my '80 this summer. I just had to bend the upper brackets down a bit to make it perfectly. Note, however, that I don't have the stock fan shroud or mechanical fan. I have shrouded dual 11" electric fans.
Other than having to bend the upper brackets down, the radiator fits great and cools well too.
Other than having to bend the upper brackets down, the radiator fits great and cools well too.
Looks great! Maybe it's more straight forward than it looks, but my champion didn't come with any instructions other than how to wire the fans... i've got the aluminum shroud and dual fans... does the shroud attach to the radiator and all slide in as one unit or do i put the radiator in and then the shroud?
Racer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 383
Likes: 16
From: SARNIA ONTARIO
master cylinder
Looks great! Maybe it's more straight forward than it looks, but my champion didn't come with any instructions other than how to wire the fans... i've got the aluminum shroud and dual fans... does the shroud attach to the radiator and all slide in as one unit or do i put the radiator in and then the shroud?
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: MB
I installed a Griffin aluminum rad with dual electric fans in my 75. Rad fit without any bracket mods. Only mod I had to make was cutting the tip of a bolt that was almost touching the rad to give acceptable clearance. When the shroud and mechanical fan are gone it is SO much easy to access the engine.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 220
Likes: 17
From: Pasadena MD
I installed a 3-row Champion aluminum radiator from eBay in my '80 this summer. I just had to bend the upper brackets down a bit to make it perfectly. Note, however, that I don't have the stock fan shroud or mechanical fan. I have shrouded dual 11" electric fans.
Other than having to bend the upper brackets down, the radiator fits great and cools well too.
Other than having to bend the upper brackets down, the radiator fits great and cools well too.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,445
Likes: 353
From: Athens GA
St. Jude Donor '12-'13, '15- '16-'17-'18-'19, '21
Do a search on hydro-boost here and you will find lots of info on installs and parts.
Bman
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
The engine bay will look quite a bit different when I finish installing FAST EZ (1) fuel injection. The radiator and fans will look the same, but I modified the radiator support. I am also changing the fan relay setup so each fan turns on at a different temperature.
