Radiator discussion/question...

[ibelonginprison]

OK - quick question about cooling. I have two radiators and I'm trying to figure out which one would work best.

Radiator 1: appears to be the stock radiator for my 94 Fullsize Blazer, Sport, 5.7 TBI. Appears to be a thick two core. Standard cooling hoses, and then it also runs trans lines through it, and oil lines through it.

Radiator 2: stock radiator from an 01 Z71 Suburban, 5.3 LM7. Looks to be a single core, about half the thickness of radiator 1. Only runs trans lines through it.

Additional info: both radiators came from mechanical fan trucks, but I'm adding dual electric fans to the setup during the swap.


Obviously Radiator 1 from my Blazer LOOKS like it's the best option, but I haven't been able to find definitive information on it's efficiency vs. an 01 stock radiator. I won't be running oil through it when the new motor goes in (most likely won't be, anyway) and I'm running an external trans cooler in addition to running the trans fluid through whichever radiator I go with.

Anyone have any thoughts on this? Is there something I'm missing, or is everything just like it seems at face value, two core vs. one core?

[chvy=power]

i tried to change out my oem one core radiator for a 2 core radiator and the thick one wouldnt fit in the radiator support and brackets....this is on a 95 c2500

[farmtruc]

I would run the larger thicker radiator.
For the newer trucks, there are two types of 34" radiators. A one vs two core. So it seems radiator theory hasn't changed, duh, lol. The 2 core radiator is in the larger work trucks, so you'd assume they need more cooler, hence a thicker core vs 1/2 ton.

I'd bypass the trans and engine oil coolers. No need to run them thru the radiator.

[ibelonginprison]

I would run the larger thicker radiator.
For the newer trucks, there are two types of 34" radiators. A one vs two core. So it seems radiator theory hasn't changed, duh, lol. The 2 core radiator is in the larger work trucks, so you'd assume they need more cooler, hence a thicker core vs 1/2 ton.

I'd bypass the trans and engine oil coolers. No need to run them thru the radiator.

That's just it though, the radiator in my old 1/2 ton Blazer, without tow package, is the larger radiator. That's why I was making sure I wasn't missing something somewhere. ha
Obviously, 2 core > 1 core.
I was just making sure there weren't some ridiculous circumstances where like the second core was dedicated to the oil/trans and only ran halfway down or something... I just don't trust early 90's OEM Chevy design to be what it appears to be on the surface... I'm always suspicious there's a wrinkle in the plan somewhere. LOL

Thanks guys. I'll stick with the radiator that's in there now.

[ibelonginprison]

i tried to change out my oem one core radiator for a 2 core radiator and the thick one wouldnt fit in the radiator support and brackets....this is on a 95 c2500

You can make anything fit, my man. Just need enough cut off wheels, zip ties and beer.

[gagliano7]

On my 1992 I used the 1992 radiator. I had zero issues with the clutch fan. About a year ago I put a 16in electric fan with a shroud and I also have a/c but I am a manual 5speed. My temp never goes above 185 degrees no matter how hot it is. I have a 160 stat which cruising on the highway stays between 174-176 degrees.

[Mickeymotormount]

I used a '99 radiator.. I bought it new and it is wider than the original. I ended up going to the junk yard to get the rubber seats and top brackets to make it work. When I was there, I did see a diesel suburban that had the wide thick radiator. I would have bought that if I had not gotten my new radiator by then.