Radiator for 64 Dart V8...

[redrex85]

I've been looking for a replacement radiator for my Dart for a little while but haven't had any good results. I question the integrity of the original tanks so I'm not sure if recoring is the best thing to do but I haven't ruled it out. I've tried various radiator companies but their info only goes back to 1966 which is a different radiator. I thought I had a radiator (from a '64 Valiant V8 w/ac - mine has no ac) from a junkyard that would work but it's too wide and simply won't fit without cutting metal. The interchange book shows these two radiators to be interchangeable but they are not. Where do I go from here? Finding another V8 Dart in a junkyard is next to impossible and having a radiator custom-made is out of my budget. I could use some help with this one...

Ben B

[cudadude]

redrex'
i was in the same boat a while back. i found a radiator from a 63 polara with a wide318 in it . it fit pretty good. had to drill 2 holes for the top mounting but everything elese was on, even the polara shroud. it suffered from a split core about 6 months after i bought it so i had no choice but to go back and have my 65 rad. re cored. the best thing i ever did cause it runs cooler than it ever has. the rad. shop told me that if the old radiators are halfway kept up the tanks stand a 80% chance of lasting another 30 years.

[scampman]

redrex, a familiar problem. I just
got my radiator back in my '71 scamp. went thru the routine of buying new vs buying used vs recore. finally, the radiator shop guy convinced me to recore. that way you keep all the original tank markings and you know the mounting holes will be right. the recore cost me $125 and looks like factory new. go for a 3-row core even if you don't have AC.most of the old tanks were brass and holdup well if not abused. a good radiator man can replace a tank if needed. if you decide to buy used, pressure test it before you pay!!
possible source for a used one try: Mitchell Motor Parts at www.mmpar.com .....good luck.