1971 Trans Am Radiator
 

I'm looking for a correct radiator for my T/A. It is an original car built in May of '71 without air conditioning and with the M22 transmission. The PHS documentation doesn't include any mention about a HD radiator, and since the car doesn't have A/C, is it considered a base car as shown in the Assembly Manual section on radiators and need an FF code (3 core)? Or do all '71 T/As come with the HD radiator (4 core) FP per the note under the table? Any assistance is helpful. Thanks in advance.

My old 71 trans am was an M22 car and only had the three core radiator (FR code).

Dumb question....where is this tag located? I have a 71 TA auto with AC. Based on other threads mine should read FS...correct?

The tag is located on the inside (engine side) of the passenger side tank, just above where the lower radiator hose connects.

Thanks!

I read your thread and saw that. The FR code is nowhere shown in the assembly manual for 71. I thought that was very interesting. I know the passenger tank is usually a CV (used on both 3 and 4 core models), and the drivers' side is usually either an IF for a 4 core or an IA for a 3 core. Something tells me there is no right or wrong answer on this and that deviations from the assembly manual were common. Maybe others more knowledgeable than I can weigh in. The note on the use of FP radiators for all M22 applications is where that statement came from in my first thread.

MINE TOO

I assume you're referencing the following footnote on the bottom of the application chart (photo 1):

"(#) Use (FP) radiator with close ratio 4 speed."

If so, look where the # footnote is used. It's only used on a 400 4 BBL engine in the F series (Firebird). That's because in 1971, if you ordered a close ratio 4 speed (M22) in a Formula 400, the standard rear axle was a 3.73 ratio, (photo 2), which required a heavy duty (FP code) radiator. The # footnote is not listed on the 455HO engine application, because the standard axle ratio was a 3.42, (photo 3), which did not require the heavy duty radiator.

My 71 TA 4 core radiator does not have the tag identifying it, is there any other markings I should look for? If so where would it be??

If you look at the "FR" tag in the image above, you will see two codes tot the right of "FR". These are the end tank codes "IA" and "CV". These codes are embossed on the end tanks. You can clearly see the "CV" embossed on the tag in the tag image.

Thanks I will look some more for the embossed codes. It was freshly painted when I bought the car so I should be able to see it if I look hard enough.

Thanks.

After I typed that I double checked and saw the reference in the table. So now I understand the note. But it is odd that the FR code does not show up in the table for the LS5 engine? After I originally typed this I saw your pics from the service manual, showing the FR code for the base MT LS5. So that is the correct radiator. The reprint in my assembly manual does not show that pic clearly, I thought that code was an FF. But I see my error now. Thanks! So that is the code to look for. Appreciate all the help!!!

Looking for a 71 FR 3 core radiator
 

Now that I know what I need for my car, if anyone comes across a 71 FR 3 core tank for a manual transmission (IA and CV tanks), please reply and let me know. Thanks to all who replied! I appreciate you!!

Alan

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...c0f770bc64.jpg
For those wanting to see the markings


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

FASTASSBIRD, how is the tag secured to the tank? Glued, spot welded or what?

Sauntered to the tank


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Soldered.

Correct. Auto correct changed it and I didn’t notice


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Building a correct old radiator
 

In going through lots of threads about old 60s and 70s radiators, I saw two threads that mentioned the name of Ed Larsen from Norway Michigan. The gist of the threads was that he could build a new "old" radiator with the correct core (3 or 4) and the correct tanks (IF, IA, CV, AE, etc.) since these parts are still manufactured. Those threads were about 7 years old and I'm wondering if this is still possible? Are these parts still available and if so is there anyone still building these?

Cores can be bought but won’t have the “correct” Harrison rails. Tanks your gonna have to find and if it’s a stick it’s gonna be a real pain in the you know what. Radiator shops don’t like removing the rails off the new cores and putting on the originals but they can do it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk