radiator

[handyman]

I'v seen several people saying they put new radiators in there Clippers where are you getting them I'v called several places here in the modesto C.A. area and no one even has a listing for it also whats the average price for one

[Conrad]

I just installed a 4-core radiator in mine last week.  Works great, even eliminated the tranny cooler.  That 4th  core adds more cooling capacity.  Try  Schucks/kragen auto parts online or in the store, Performance radiator is a place to check too.  $205 for the 3-core I paid $225 for the 4-core.

[Horst]

"Eliminated the tranny cooler"??
I'd carefully reconsider this move.

[Conrad]

Considerd, tested, works fine.  I don't tow anything anyway.  I will save the cooler just in case I see a need for it after testing in the mountain passes later this summer.

[Larry Lund]

Dear Jim:
I just wrote Tom regarding the same problem.  Your best source is to recore the one you have.  To find a four row radiator which bolts up perfectly and uses the same location for hoses will be very difficult to find.  Call on several radiator repair specialists for quotes.

[handyman]

thanks conrad for the info but our kragen dosent have a listing for it do you have the number and also how did it fit did you have to modify it please let me no

[Conrad]

My radiator from schucks did not need any modification, nor did my engine compartment.  A perfect fit.    
 
Here is the URL to the site for Schucks at partsamerica.com Schucks america.com

Here is one for performance radiator:  performance web page home

Notes:  Have your VIN number ready, you may need it.  Performance did not have a radiator for my Dodge 360 in its database but that doesn't mean they don't stock it.  I spec out that my unit is a Dodge 360 V8 B300 Van.  That is the 1 ton chassis that is under my Clipper.  Good luck.  

[handyman]

thanks conrad mines a 440 but should be the same radiator

[mollerus]

I think you could be making a costly mistake by not using a transmission cooler.  The torque converter generates a lot of heat particularly  under a load.  Our rigs are a heavy load by themselves .  They are heavy enough to near the load limits of the 16.5 x 8.00 tires they come with.  Add all  the junk and bodies we carry and  our 1 ton rated chassis and running gear are working  pretty hard under normal conditions.  You don't have to pull a trailer to load up the transmission, just a few good hills is all you need. and we have plenty of those out here in the Pacific Northwest.   A radiator for a manual transmission  vehicle obviously doesn't need a cooler but I don't know of any vehicles that come from the factory with automatic transmission without a cooler in the base of the radiator.  Even my Honda Accord  has one.  The transmission fluid should not be allowed to rise above 240 degrees.  The radiator water/anti-freeze fluid  dissipates the excess heat from the torque converter very efficiently and also keeps it from getting too cool and thick which reduces the efficiency of  the converter.  Add on coolers placed in front of the radiator have less control over the temperature range and are a poor substitute for the in radiator exchangers.  You can be sure that Dodge and the other auto manufacturers would gladly save a buck and leave the cooler out of the radiator but they know that that would lead to  massive warranty repairs of transmissions if they left them off. Transmission coolers are absolutely necessary in our overweight rigs. Its like the TV add says: "Don't leave home without one"!

[Conrad]

I think that there is a mis-communication or mis-interpretation      I appreciate all the comments made as they make for good information for all of us.

[Martin2]

Hi Jim,

I have been all over the internet and local parts houses including the one referred by the club parts guy Mel and have not been able to locate one for the 78 440.  They are availble for the smaller engines however, but they are a smaller size also.  Beware and make sure you check the core size.  The size you should need for the 440 is 27 5/8 width by 21 height by 2 1/4 thickness.  That is the actual size of the core!  That is how they are measured.  I am taking mime in to a local radiator shop today to see if they can install a new four core.  In not, they can at least rod  and boil it out and it should be almost like new.  Good luck! Please let us know if you succeed in finding a new four core that fits without modification.  Tom

[Martin2]

Hi Jim,

I wanted to make a correction on the size of the radiator in the previous post. The height of the radiator for the 440 is 20 inches. If you have had any luck finding a new radiator please post the source.  I am having mine recored,but couldn't get the four core. Had to go with the three. Pretty costly in my area.  Good luck! Tom

[van Groos]

We are in Santa Rosa, and just took my old one to the local radiator shop (Dutton Radiator, they do a large vol of work and have vast experience) and they handed me back an exact fit 4 core unit. No sweat!  So any good shop should be able to do the same for you!  

[Conrad]

If anyone is interested, I have pictures of my old 3-core radiator with tape measure showing the HWD dimensions.  Mine was for a Dodge 360 B300 Van body.  If I am not mistaken, 'core' dimensions differ from 'overall' dimensions.   Overall dimensions are what I used when ordering a new radiator.

[handyman]

Thanks to all