Appropriate Aluminum Radiator

[sloane]

I am trying to find an aluminum radiator that is a direct fit on my 79 GMC Sierra Grande w/ 350 and manual trans. Does anyone have a Summit or Jegs part # that worked for them. Looks to be about 33”x20 1/2”

 

[Ricko1966]

Hit up @Nasty-LSX if he hasn't p.m you. I told him about you,he's got some radiators for sale. Act quick one is new in box aluminum like you are looking for

 

[ChuckN]

Square rads usually come in 19” or 21”. Sounds like you’re definitely a 21”, but double check measurement to be sure .

If the one NastyLSX doesn’t work out, I’ve been very happy with my Cold Case. Here is a search on their website for your year. https://www.coldcaseradiators.com/products/fitment/1979-GMC-Truck-any

The side tanks are stamped to look factory. You can paint them black to help it look stock or just leave them aluminum like I did. They come with a sacrificial rod installed too, so if you were to have a bad ground, the electrolysis would eat that instead of the radiator.

Edit- don’t order one with the “1.75” lower hose option- that hose is a unicorn and if it exists anywhere, I couldn’t find it.

Double edit- never mind the measurement, didn’t see the picture initially that you had it out of the truck.

 

[DoubleDingo]

Check out northern radiator for a copper brass unless you're dead set on going aluminum plastic, or full aluminum. Pricey, but direct fit, just have to trim the shroud a little.

Edit: The shroud has to be trimmed so it doesn't ride on the core, it's a more efficient core, so it's wider than an OEM. CR1599 is what I got for my 1981 C20.

 

[Nasty-LSX]

Hit up @Nasty-LSX if he hasn't p.m you. I told him about you,he's got some radiators for sale. Act quick one is new in box aluminum like you are looking for

Thanks Ricko

 

[sloane]

Thanks for the input. Sorry it took so long to respond. Im new here and thought it would send me an email when people respond. I will check my settings. I just was going with aluminum cause I like the look and figure it was built better than local auto store stuff.

 

[DoubleDingo]

Thanks for the input. Sorry it took so long to respond. Im new here and thought it would send me an email when people respond. I will check my settings. I just was going with aluminum cause I like the look and figure it was built better than local auto store stuff.

An all aluminum might be better than a cheap copper brass knock-off, but the aluminum core with plastic tanks are known for not lasting.

 

[Nasty-LSX]

Weather you buy from me or not, cold case are Bad A$$ radiators. I use them on the c10's
and all the F-body builds I do. ZERO plastic. Dont buy crap like frost and all the other cheaper stuff.

 

[DoubleDingo]

Weather you buy from me or not, cold case are Bad A$$ radiators. I use them on the c10's
and all the F-body builds I do. ZERO plastic. Dont buy crap like frost and all the other cheaper stuff.

Didn't know about cold case. A nice option, but made in CHN...ugh...

 

[MyTruckIsBetter]

I know you wanted a summit or Jegs part No. but I ordered my aluminum rad from LMC and it has been working great for ~1 year 12K miles. It is worth noting that the radiator has an oil and transmission hookups too!

Below is the part number and such ran me about 300

32-2946

Radiator 454

 

[sloane]

I have a manual trans so I just plug the trans cooler lines correct?

 

[TotalyHucked]

I have a manual trans so I just plug the trans cooler lines correct?

Yep, nothing will flow through there.

 

[sloane]

Mytruckisbetter I just looked that up. Its only $200. Hmmmm. I like that price. Sometimes you get what you pay for but you said its done well for you.

 

[MyTruckIsBetter]

@sloane sounds great dude! glad I could help