1970 26" BB radiator fit in a 1974 Barracuda?

[440_man]

I have a 1974 Cuda that was originally a 318 car, which now has a 440 installed in it.  I have fought with slight overheating problem at idle for years, and now would like to buy an aluminum radiator to put an end once and for all to my overheating problems.

Since the car was originally a 318 car, the radiator opening is 22".  The radiator came out of a 1970 Chrysler 300 (the 440 donor car).  The 440 motor, being a 1970, has the lower water pump port on the driver's side.  I am looking at buying a 26" aluminum 2 core radiator with 1.25" core size for a 1970 - 72 BB which comes with a lower radiator hose on the driver's side.

I realize that putting a 26" radiator into a 22" hole is not ideal, but the car is painted already, so I do not want to convert the passenger side radiator mount to make the hole bigger. 

My question is this: Do 70 - 74 e body cudas have the same radiator mounting?  Put another way, If I purchase a 70-72 BB radiator, will the driver's side of the radiator mount up in the proper place on my 74 (originally 318) car?  I realize that the passenger side of the radiator will need an adapter bracket or some spacers.

[Cudajason]

I have a 1974 Cuda that was originally a 318 car, which now has a 440 installed in it.  I have fought with slight overheating problem at idle for years, and now would like to buy an aluminum radiator to put an end once and for all to my overheating problems.

Since the car was originally a 318 car, the radiator opening is 22".  The radiator came out of a 1970 Chrysler 300 (the 440 donor car).  The 440 motor, being a 1970, has the lower water pump port on the driver's side.  I am looking at buying a 26" aluminum 2 core radiator with 1.25" core size for a 1970 - 72 BB which comes with a lower radiator hose on the driver's side.

I realize that putting a 26" radiator into a 22" hole is not ideal, but the car is painted already, so I do not want to convert the passenger side radiator mount to make the hole bigger. 

My question is this: Do 70 - 74 e body cudas have the same radiator mounting?  Put another way, If I purchase a 70-72 BB radiator, will the driver's side of the radiator mount up in the proper place on my 74 (originally 318) car?  I realize that the passenger side of the radiator will need an adapter bracket or some spacers.

Yes the BB rad will work in the 22in opening.  I just put a 26 inch Champion rad in my cuda and it has the 22 inch rad opening.  You will need to spacers on the pass side mount.

I went with a 3 core rad and it has solved my overheating issues.

Jason

[YellowThumper]

As Jason said. Yes the larger 26" will fit.
You will still use the same drivers side mounting.
Then mount the passenger side with spacers to keep it in proper fore/aft position.
Ran my setup that way for years. Factory shroud will work also.
Yes some of it will be "shrouded" by core support, but as it will not be flush sealed, air will still migrate to the outer areas. That 22" hole will pass more air thru it than the radiator ever would.

[440_man]

Thanks for the information.  I figured it would fit, but with the price of good quality aluminum radiators that will accept a factory shroud, I wanted to be VERY sure it would fit before buying one.

Those of you that have done the 26" aluminum radiator, do you have 2 row 1" cores, or 2 row 1.25" cores?


My motor combination is relatively calm:

1969 440 bored 0.030" over
Cam is 230 duration intake / 234 duration exhuast - 0.500 inch lift on both - 109 degree lobe separation
10:1 compression
Stock 915 heads
Edlebrock performer aluminum intake
750 Barry Grant Mighty Demon Carb
Aluminum high volume water pump
Timing 18 deg initial 34 deg total - no vac advance at this point in time

[YellowThumper]

I would check with mfg on their suggestion.
My understanding is the larger tubes with 2 cores are better than smaller tubes with 3 or 4 cores.
Mine is now custom so cannot help with factory type replacement. But is same general size with dual electric fans and have had zero issues with it. Idling in crap traffic for more than an hour in 95⁰+. 360 tho. I personally prefer the electric fan setups over the factory fans. My experience.

[440_man]

Yellow Thumper -

I have decided on a 26" aluminum radiator with the 1.25" two core setup, and was looking at a specific company that offered a pre-made bolt-on electric fan option, but they suggest at least a 120 amp altenator.  Do both your fans come on at the same time?  Do you run your car on the street mostly?  Any advice on the altenator setup?

thanks!

[YellowThumper]

Yellow Thumper -

I have decided on a 26" aluminum radiator with the 1.25" two core setup, and was looking at a specific company that offered a pre-made bolt-on electric fan option, but they suggest at least a 120 amp altenator.  Do both your fans come on at the same time?  Do you run your car on the street mostly?  Any advice on the altenator setup?

thanks!

Now they both come on at same time. I am using a pwm controller to vary their rpm based on temp. Unit I bought unfortunately is no longer available.
Before the PWM 1 fan and then the second was how it was wired up. 1 on always at ignition and second would come on with temp switch.
Just put another project car together that uses relays triggered by a BMW dual temp switch. Normally mounts into their radiator housing. I mounted switch in an adapter in the lower hose.
Front accessories on mine (including higher amp alternator) are adapted from a Magnum engine.