[SD455DJ]

Has anyone run across a factory dimension aluminum radiator for the '73-'74 X-body Ventura's??? I've looked but can't find anything that is stock looking...only welded-up messes. Thanks!

Dennis

[se428bandit]

I bought mine from U.S. radiator and with electric fans it never sees 190+ with my 467.

[SD455DJ]

se428bandit - Thanks, I'll check them out. I imagine they are the same size dimensionally as the Nova's, but with the different inlet/outlet locations. I'm debating getting a new 4-core copper/brass or an aluminum radiator. I'd like to find one that has the factory looking stamped tanks, but I haven't seen any for X-body Pontiacs so far. Cold Case doesn't make anything either for 74 GTO's/Venturas that I can see.

Dennis

[Slick]

Originally Posted by SD455DJ

se428bandit - Thanks, I'll check them out. I imagine they are the same size dimensionally as the Nova's, but with the different inlet/outlet locations. I'm debating getting a new 4-core copper/brass or an aluminum radiator. I'd like to find one that has the factory looking stamped tanks, but I haven't seen any for X-body Pontiacs so far. Cold Case doesn't make anything either for 74 GTO's/Venturas that I can see.

Dennis

Is this not what you were looking for, Dennis?

https://coldcaseradiators.com/pontia...e-radiator-at/


Stuart

[SD455DJ]

Originally Posted by Slick

Is this not what you were looking for, Dennis?

https://coldcaseradiators.com/pontia...e-radiator-at/


Stuart

Slick - Yes it is...thanks. It's very close in appearance and costs to the US Radiator aluminum piece the se428bandit bought...are they the same unit I wonder...? I'll probably wait until they have a sale on them which they have done in the past.

I looked at the Cold Case site and I didn't find what you did...most likely user error!

Dennis

[SD455DJ]

I just looked at the Cold Case site again and not only found the AT style, but also the manual trans radiator which I would need....cool! $400 plus shipping...not so cool!

Dennis

[SD455DJ]

Originally Posted by se428bandit

I bought mine from U.S. radiator and with electric fans it never sees 190+ with my 467.

se428bandit - They don't have pictures of the X-body radiators on the US Radiator website, but they say, or eluded to, that the side tanks are stamped like the factory.

Are the side tanks of your radiator stamped? If they are, could you post a few pictures of it?

Thanks, Dennis

[se428bandit]

It works very well in my car. They also make a copper brass 4 core.

[SD455DJ]

Thanks se! Is the shot with the embossed ribs looking down the passenger side tank?

Dennis

[Rob B]

I can see how there could be some confusion on the radiator applications for a 73-74. Technically, they're not a Ventura II because most (I think all) of them (71-72) came with a SBC and a little different core support. The support on a 73-74 can easily be modified to fit up to a 25x19, +/- an inch on the height, core radiator (even more if you open up the radiator opening). Any radiator from an X body application should work. If your going with a bigger core radiator, you'll also have to replace the rubber isolators at the top and the bottom in the core support and possibly find a different top plate (from a Nova specifically) that was meant for a wider 4 core radiator if that is what you are converting to width wise.
$400 is not a bad price for a drop in aluminum radiator and the Cold Case aluminum ones look just like a copper/brass radiator and are a nice piece. Hope my response isn't a "capt Obvious" read, just throwing it out just in case you didn't already know this or someone else was looking for some insight.

And by the way, nice car! Love the color!!!

[SD455DJ]

Thanks Stuart and Rob! I appreciate it. Thanks too for the thoughts on the Cold Case radiators Rob. They would be a drop-in like you mention and the 73-74 are unique as you mention, so not many offerings like for the Nova, so are the only 'show' in town, so to speak. For all the potential hassle of an 'almost-fits' radiator designed for a 'close-enough' application, at the end of the day would probably be the unwise investment. You are right about needing the deeper mounts for a 4-core since it only has the standard 3-core in it now. I wonder if that top late is reproduced from onw of the many Chevy repro-parts houses.

Dennis

[Rob B]

Originally Posted by SD455DJ

Thanks Stuart and Rob! I appreciate it. Thanks too for the thoughts on the Cold Case radiators Rob. They would be a drop-in like you mention and the 73-74 are unique as you mention, so not many offerings like for the Nova, so are the only 'show' in town, so to speak. For all the potential hassle of an 'almost-fits' radiator designed for a 'close-enough' application, at the end of the day would probably be the unwise investment. You are right about needing the deeper mounts for a 4-core since it only has the standard 3-core in it now. I wonder if that top late is reproduced from onw of the many Chevy repro-parts houses.

Dennis

I would think the top plate would be available for a Nova. The earlier ones I think only had a 21" wide core and the 3 row in the 73-74 were 23" but don't hold me to it. I'm sure if you measured your current radiators core and called Cold Case, they could match you if they don't have a listing for a 73-74 Ventura/GTO.
I was able to still use the original top plate with a 4 core brass radiator for years with just minor adjustments to it. When I switched both cars to aluminum, I just eliminated the plate and made brackets for them.

[Rob B]

I was also able to continue using the OEM shroud with the 4 core but eliminated it when I went to aluminum radiators. I made a shroud for the wife's 74 because its truly a street car that gets driven! No shroud on mine, I'll drive it on the street but not enough to warrant making a shroud.

[SD455DJ]

Thanks Rob...I'll certainly check it all out.

Dennis

[Mean Green]

Would this radiator be a direct bolt in?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/FOR-73-74-C...-/191145180166

[Rob B]

Originally Posted by Mean Green

Would this radiator be a direct bolt in?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/FOR-73-74-C...-/191145180166

All the measurements look correct. Should work. Worse case you may need to do a little modifying to either the factory top mount plate or with bushings.

[Mean Green]

Thanks for the help. The radiator was a direct bolt in and works great. Looks good too.

Originally Posted by Rob B

All the measurements look correct. Should work. Worse case you may need to do a little modifying to either the factory top mount plate or with bushings.

[ponjohn]

Originally Posted by Rob B

All the measurements look correct. Should work. Worse case you may need to do a little modifying to either the factory top mount plate or with bushings.

My old 71 had a 605 Al. BBC in it before I bought.



When I put the Pontiac in it, I used the same radiator and the factory upper hose. I used a block for the t-stat housing the rotated the housing and I just cut the hose.