Advice on 66' Plymouth VIP radiator after market

rsh1966vip

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I need a new radiator for my 1966 Plymouth VIP (which I guess is just like a Fury). I have bought a Champion radiator for my 66' F100 and it worked. However, the 66' Plymouth has an automatic transmission that will need to connect up, so it is a little more complicated.
Has anyone on the forum purchased a Champion for a 66' and if so what part number should I be looking to get? I will attach a pic of the old radiator.
thanks
Richard
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Core width is important. Looks like it's 22"?
 
In my view you should avoid aftermarket radiators since they usually never cool as well as the original ones in order to have an attractive price.

Best bet it to have yours recored by a competent shop in your area using a high fin density high efficiency core. It will cost more than an aftermarket one but would be very much worth it in terms of cooling capability and it will be sure to mount into your car correctly the first time.
 
In my view you should avoid aftermarket radiators since they usually never cool as well as the original ones in order to have an attractive price.

Best bet it to have yours recored by a competent shop in your area using a high fin density high efficiency core. It will cost more than an aftermarket one but would be very much worth it in terms of cooling capability and it will be sure to mount into your car correctly the first time.
Thanks for your reply. What would be a ball park cost to have it re-cored?
Richard
 
I am not sure whether it gets really hot in Tennessee and whether your car has a/c and whether you actually use it. Also, is your radiator a 26" width or 22" across (I think it looks like a 26" radiator but I am not sure).

If you have a/c and it gets really hot in Tennessee (and humid), and you drive in congested traffic, then the cost could be as high as about $550. If you do not have a/c or do not use it, do not drive in congested traffic but rather mostly highway travel, then the cost could be in the $350 range. That is about the best I can estimate as a range for your costs. Since I live in hot Southern California and drive in traffic with a/c on, I choose the high efficiency cores with very high fin density and 3 rows of tubes for my 26" radiator with fan shroud. So mine are at the upper end of costs.

Most aftermarket radiators have very low fin density and only 2 rows of tubes generally so you have low cost for the radiator but poor cooling performance. Many folks get new aftermarket radiators to cure their cooling problems and end up chasing after a bunch of other potential problems ending up with a lot of frustration and spending a lot of money/time in the process and in the end not saving anything with their poor choice of radiator in the first place when their old one clogs up with rust sediment or leaks and doesn't do it job well any more.

A good radiator shop can help you make the right choice for your circumstances. Just avoid being too cheap to do it right and you should do OK.

I also like to keep the original top tanks in the process to keep the car looking original and it helps down the road if the underhood compartment looks stock when it comes time to sell. You almost always have to modify the side brackets of the aftermarket radiators to get them to fit properly in the car too.
 
I am not sure whether it gets really hot in Tennessee and whether your car has a/c and whether you actually use it. Also, is your radiator a 26" width or 22" across (I think it looks like a 26" radiator but I am not sure).

If you have a/c and it gets really hot in Tennessee (and humid), and you drive in congested traffic, then the cost could be as high as about $550. If you do not have a/c or do not use it, do not drive in congested traffic but rather mostly highway travel, then the cost could be in the $350 range. That is about the best I can estimate as a range for your costs. Since I live in hot Southern California and drive in traffic with a/c on, I choose the high efficiency cores with very high fin density and 3 rows of tubes for my 26" radiator with fan shroud. So mine are at the upper end of costs.

Most aftermarket radiators have very low fin density and only 2 rows of tubes generally so you have low cost for the radiator but poor cooling performance. Many folks get new aftermarket radiators to cure their cooling problems and end up chasing after a bunch of other potential problems ending up with a lot of frustration and spending a lot of money/time in the process and in the end not saving anything with their poor choice of radiator in the first place when their old one clogs up with rust sediment or leaks and doesn't do it job well any more.

A good radiator shop can help you make the right choice for your circumstances. Just avoid being too cheap to do it right and you should do OK.

I also like to keep the original top tanks in the process to keep the car looking original and it helps down the road if the underhood compartment looks stock when it comes time to sell. You almost always have to modify the side brackets of the aftermarket radiators to get them to fit properly in the car too.
 
Thanks again for your prompt comments concerning my radiator issues. I did not consider a re-core before, but now I will take some time to research any local shops (if I can find one) for cost. My car is
AC, auto, ps and power brakes and you are correct my radiator is 26x17.5. It does get hot here in Tn. but I will not be driving in heavy traffic.
thanks
Richard
 
What would be a ball park cost to have it re-cored?

You will likely be looking at the $500-600 range. That might seem expensive, but I feel, as well as Steve and many others here, it is worth it.

Also, I suggest you take the opportunity to flush out the cooling system while you're in there.
 
You will likely be looking at the $500-600 range. That might seem expensive, but I feel, as well as Steve and many others here, it is worth it.

Also, I suggest you take the opportunity to flush out the cooling system while you're in there.
You will likely be looking at the $500-600 range. That might seem expensive, but I feel, as well as Steve and many others here, it is worth it.

Also, I suggest you take the opportunity to flush out the cooling system while you're in there.
 
I am heading to Somerville (near Memphis now)to meet with the radiator shop guy to get a cost and some details. I will give you more feedback later.
thanks
Richard
 
FWIW, we do have a vendor on here that sells a good aluminum radiator (based on reports, not personal experience) and the capacity is slightly more and I personally think that with a little black paint on the tank, it wouldn't stick out as a replacement radiator. Cold Case Aluminum Radiators

@Ccas may have a recommendation.

Not knocking the recore suggestions in the least, just giving an alternative that has worked with others here.
 
FWIW, we do have a vendor on here that sells a good aluminum radiator (based on reports, not personal experience) and the capacity is slightly more and I personally think that with a little black paint on the tank, it wouldn't stick out as a replacement radiator. Cold Case Aluminum Radiators

@Ccas may have a recommendation.

Not knocking the recore suggestions in the least, just giving an alternative that has worked with others here.
 
Good suggestion and Cold Case is my fall back, lets see what I find out today.
thanks
Richard
______________________
The shop in Summerville look very professional. I will know more in a couple of days after they have cleaned the radiator and pressure tested it.

rsh
 
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Good suggestion and Cold Case is my fall back, lets see what I find out today.
thanks
Richard
______________________
The shop in Summerville look very professional. I will know more in a couple of days after they have cleaned the radiator and pressure tested it.

rsh
So, here is an up date on my radiator situation. I visited the shop in Summerville Tn (near Memphis) and it was set up very professionally. Richard checked out my radiator and called me back within two days. The core must be replaced. He will do this for $322 and have it ready for pick by the end of the week. I feel this is the best solution for me.
Just wanted to give an up date to those who gave me recommendations. I will attack a pic when I get it back.
thanks
rsh1966
 
So, here is an up date on my radiator situation. I visited the shop in Summerville Tn (near Memphis) and it was set up very professionally. Richard checked out my radiator and called me back within two days. The core must be replaced. He will do this for $322 and have it ready for pick by the end of the week. I feel this is the best solution for me.
Just wanted to give an up date to those who gave me recommendations. I will attack a pic when I get it back.
thanks
rsh1966

I just would like to think the shop will put in a core at least equivalent to the original one in terms of fin density and therefore, overall effectiveness. It is important that that be stressed over lowest price in my opinion in terms of what end result you want.
 
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