Radiator size for 70 Challenger

[GoMangoBoys]

What is the correct size radiator for a 70 Challenger R/T with a 383?

[1 Wild R/T]

Could be 22" or 26" depending on options...  22" will have no A/C & no more than 3.23 gear... 26" can have any gear with or without A/C

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Mine was a 22" w/o a/c

[headejm]

Mine is 26" w/ A/C, 3.23 gear.

[1 Wild R/T]

Oh, another rule.... 340 came standard with a 26".....
But a 383 or 440 without A/C even a 440-6 without H/D cooling & with 3.23 or 2.76 gear would have a 22"...

[GoMangoBoys]

So if my car has no radiator at all, is there any reason that I should not buy a 26" radiator?  We plan to add AC to the car and maybe go to a steeper gear than the 3.23 that it has now.  We will be stroking the 383 that is in it now.

[1 Wild R/T]

I'd plan on a 26" core... Which core support do you have?  There is a 22" & a 26" opening... There is a replacement side panel to convert a 22 to a 26... And plenty of guys just drill a couple holes & bolt a 26" to a 22" core support..

[gzig5]

I would go with the one that gives you the most cooling capacity.  Overkill on cooling system is not a bad thing.  There's a guy on FEBO that shows a bracket he made to fit a 26" in a 22" opening.  You can barely tell it doesn't belong.  The airflow is slightly blocked on that end but he claims no cooling issues with a stout 440.  I think a good shroud and fan design is very important too.  I had to make brackets to semi-properly mount the replacement 22" that came in the car in the 26" opening.  If you were nearby and wanted a 22" I'd make you a smoking deal on the one in my car now so I can go with a 26" which is correct for my car.

[RUNCHARGER]

26 inch.

[70 Challenger Lover]

On the 70 RT I just put back together and sold, I used an original 22" radiator and had zero issues. It had its original but rebuilt 383 with a stout cam. Fan was the original non clutch unit and it had a shroud. I drove it on a 100 degree day and it stayed right at 185-190 the whole time. It would get a little warmer just sitting still at idle but never came close to overheating.

I totally agree that it never hurts to overkill your cooling system but I just thought I'd add this comment to show that the stock system did work well if the entire cooling system is in proper working condition.

[YellowThumper]

Did it on mi e years ago. Drivers side bolts in. Passenger side make a plate that bolts to core support and spans out to match radiator. Very simple. And as I state often the original 22 core support opening will flow more air thru it than the actual radiator ever could. That and fan shroud you are ensured success.

[MoparLeo]

For you guys that are using a 22" radiator on your bigger motors, fi you don't have a/c, you are getting more cool air through the radiator than someone with a/c and a hot condenser blocking the airflow of the radiator.