[nytrainer]

I have a pinhole leak on the left side (OEM) tank (where it meets the fins) that we have kept an eye on during the summer hoping to make it until fall (it has). Was going to pull it and send it out to be cleaned, pressure tested, etc. but noticed the Cold Case ad for a manual trans. radiator in the featured vendor section. It advertises for $229 (was $369) with a caveat that the petcock will not be able to be used with the shroud installed. I'm thinking here in NY I'd be at $229 or more for the service and even more if I need a recore. I understand this is Chris' company (PY founder) so I'm inclined to go with his products. Plus I have a 455 on the stand waiting to replace the 350 (eventually) so I wasn't sure the original 3 row would be up to the task.
Not a big deal to move the shroud back if I need access to the petcock I suppose. I'm thinking I would be best served with a 2 rows with 1.25" tubes? Does this rad. fit that description? It is only described as an "oversized 2 row model" on the website.

[John62]

If your going to replace your radiator it is certainly a good idea to go with 2 rows of 1.25in. as we all know Pontiacs are always a challenge to keep cool. From what I have seen at the shows they look as good as any, most aluminum 2 row are 1.00in cores so unless his has more rows or more fins then they are all the same. His are designed to fit your car but if your thinking of painting it black for a factory look be aware they have cold case stamped into the upper tank so for me not a good look. They would fill a niche if that were not there.

[nytrainer]

Thanks John. Your posts are where I got the idea of a 2 row, 1.25" tubes. Guess I can ask them in an email how it's designed. If it is a 2 row 1" would that be good?
I wouldn't think of using this on my HO Lemans as it is a low mileage original but the other Lemans, while original engine, etc, has a few "mods" (Year One Rallys, GTO hood with tach, proposed 455 swap) so we aren't too concerned about the stamping. Everything we have changed can be put back (we saved the original hood, wheels, etc) but more than likely the modded version would be more desirable anyway.

[John62]

2 rows of 1.00in is kind of a industry standard. Most use 16-17 fins per inch. Some off brands like found on ebay may not tell you how many fins, if they do not then it is likely 12-13. More fins equal more heat dissipation. Also some off brands will tell you 3 or 4 rows in aluminum but look at the tubes they will be 1/2" or a combination. A 2 row of 1" tubes aluminum is equal to a 4 row of 1/2" copper if the distance of rows and fins is equal. 1/2" in copper is a industry standard. So 2 rows of 1.25" would equal a 5 core copper. Or go with copper with rows closer together.
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1443663036
I wanted a stock look so I used the high efficiency version. This picture is from US radiator if you want to look at different spacing.

[chrisp]

Go with Champion brand , No logo on it , lower price , lifetime warr. & petcock not a problem .

[Verdoro 68]

I realize this thread is a few months old, but I just got a Cold Case for my '68. Thought I'd share a few pics since I haven't seen a lot of posts on them.

Haven't fully installed it yet, but I'm not seeing how there could be an issue with the petcock. Fits great in the bottom mounts, the driver's side tank is about 1/2" more narrow than the stock tank, so the mount has some extra space but I don't think it will be a big issue once everything is buckled down. Side note: need to flip my insulators on top, I think I've got them backwards.

It won't be mistaken for a stock radiator, but once painted black it will definitely look at home. All in all looks like a nice piece at a great price. Much closer to stock looking than any of the other options out there.

By the way, I originally ordered the one listed in this thread from Advance Auto. It was not stock looking at all. Aluminum core with plastic tanks. Back to the store it went.

[cuz68]

It sure looks good, What was the price for it? Thank you cuz.

[Verdoro 68]

$229 + $30 for shipping. Solid deal compared to most of the other options!

[Old Goat Racer]

What does the cold case weigh compared to an OEM rad ?

[Verdoro 68]

Via the bathroom scale:

Stock: 24.7lbs
Cold Case: 15.8lbs

So about 9lbs difference. Not a bad weight savings. Keep in mind this is an auto radiator too. Manual might be even lighter.

[Verdoro 68]

Painted and installed. It blends right in. You can't use the stock overflow hose clip because of the way the tanks are welded to the core. Not a huge deal - I'll have to find another way to clip it.

[Old Goat Racer]

Originally Posted by Verdoro 68

Via the bathroom scale:

Stock: 24.7lbs
Cold Case: 15.8lbs

So about 9lbs difference. Not a bad weight savings. Keep in mind this is an auto radiator too. Manual might be even lighter.

THX. Don't forget to remove that screwdriver before you close the hood.

[Verdoro 68]

Originally Posted by Old Goat Racer

THX. Don't forget to remove that screwdriver before you close the hood.

Caught it - although there's been many times I've taken a test drive with tools under the hood.

Never really had a cooling problem before, but between the new FlowKooler pump with the CNC'd impeller and the radiator this thing ought to be cool as a cucumber. I let it idle for 30 minutes and it barely ran up to 140. Haven't had a chance to take a long drive yet, but I'm sure it will be fine.

[Old Goat Racer]

[QUOTE=Verdoro 68;5509239]Caught it - although there's been many times I've taken a test drive with tools under the hood.

Who hasn't? Was your OEM a 3 or 4 row?

[Verdoro 68]

It replaced a 4 row. I think that's what A/C cars came with. The one in it was a Modine replacement from about 10 years ago.

[1969GTO]

any problems with the upper hose dia. to the new radiator?

[torqhead]

Originally Posted by Verdoro 68

$229 + $30 for shipping. Solid deal compared to most of the other options!

Ken, Where did you buy it for $229? Also, were you able to determine whether it was 1" or 1.25"?

[Verdoro 68]

It was listed on the Cold Case site - must have been a temporary deal. I don't think I ever measured the tubes.

[Ccass]

The Cold Case brand is for the resto-mod market. Guys that are driving their cars but want to look stock.The tubes on this model are 1" which equate to the size of a 4 row harrision. 1.25" cause the radiator to look almost 'bloated'. If you have an all out race car or a huge street motor, I would say you'd go that route but then you'd have to spend about $600-$800.

Soon, Cold Case will have Dual and Tri-Flow versions of these radiators for more extreme duty situations. Yet the outward appearance will remain the same.

[Ccass]

Originally Posted by torqhead

Ken, Where did you buy it for $229? Also, were you able to determine whether it was 1" or 1.25"?

That $229 was a cosmetic 2nd. Cold Case Radiators are priced right around $300-$329. That's about $50-$70 below a Desert Cooler that does not include the trans line fittings, petcock valve or ability to install oem radiator cap. Also, Lifetime Warranty. That's pretty radical in the Radiator world.