[Lobito's65Cat]

Hello guys, Im looking for a new radiator for the Catalina and i was wondering what your thoughts on a good on would be. I just got off the phone with NAPA and they said the 65 its the only one missing in their catalog. Anyone else ever had this problem?? Thanks!!

[justakidagain]

Ames Performance Engineering 1-800-421-2637sells them. I bought one for my 62 Bonneville and it looks good although I haven't installed it yet.

[Lobito's65Cat]

Just tried Ames but they will take 8 - 10 weeks!! Anyother suggestions??

Thanks!

[Stuart]

What's the problem with the radiator you have now? Is it leaking, or it isn't cooling the car?

You could check locally for a good radiator shop - they can patch leaks, take the radiator apart and rod out the passages, or even re-core the thing. I'm lucky enough to have a good, old-time shop close by that's done some excellent work for me.

Another possibility is U.S. Radiator in Vernon, California. They don't list full size cars in their online catalog, but I bought a radiator for my '61 Bonneville from them several years ago without any problems.

http://www.usradiator.com/default.htm

[Lobito's65Cat]

Stuart: My radiator had a close encounter with the fan (dont ask how that happened) so its leaking preety bad. I tought about having it fixed but i had already been thinking of a new one for some time as mine has had several minor leaks over the time ive had it. I did find US Radiator on the net this morning and called them too, they will take two weeks to get the radiator , seems to be a competitive price and cheaper shipping since its here in Cali, so i might just go with that. Thanks for the advice.

[Stuart]

Well, in that case I can see why you want a new one.

The radiator I got from them is their 'triple flow' model, it has internal baffles that make the water circulate back and forth inside the radiator three times instead of just shooting straight through. It lowered my water temp by 20 degrees, so I was pretty happy with it.

[goldeneyee]

I removed my radiator from my 62 Catalina two weeks ago and had it recored to a 4 core for enhanced cooling. Priced recoring at several local reputable shops and paid $240.00 out the door with all new coring.

[NMcCoy]

I just got a griffin radiator for my 66 from summit racing. 189.99 and it was here in four days. I put it in this last weekend and I haven't seen it run past 180 at all. I used to run 200-210 on 50 degree days. If you don't mind making some modifications and aren't going for a stock look I would stongly suggest you get one. I don't remember what the part number is but if you just look for the 19 x 31 inch dual core radiator you will probably find it. Or if you want to drop the cash BeCool sells a radiator for 71-80 Camero and Firebirds that is supposed to work with 65 and 66 big pontiacs, but for 500.00, Ouch. It would probably fit without making any modifications. I'm just cheap, and I figured I could get the same thing for less if I just put a little work into making it fit. Plus I'm so far from stock with my car that the "numbers matching" people would probably burn me at the stake.

[ilikebmx999]

i had good luck with www.cheapradiator.com. i got a nice 4-core radiator for my buick for $200 i think. they should be able to find something to fit for you.

[Lobito's65Cat]

Thank you all for your replies, all I have to do now is make a choice on what i want to do. Ill let you guys know what happens in the end. I will try www.cheapradiator.com right now.

Thanks everyone!

[Lobito's65Cat]

Got the quote today from US Radiator on email;

Standard 4 row: $317.00
High efficiency 4 row: 389.50
4 row optima: $424.00
Tripleflow: $ 484.00

Im thinking of going with the second one, will let you know how it works out.

[CMill421]

I had to add a 6 blade flex a lite fan with the 4 row to keep enough air moving through it. Just an FYI.

CMill

[Lobito's65Cat]

Hummm.....extra fan huh?

Another question i have is: How can i tell wether the radiator i have now is a 3 or 4 row????

[bonneville Joe]

If you look at the radiator, a 3 row will have about a 1/2" edge from the rows to the edge of the tanks, a 4 row will pretty much go all the way out to the tanks.

[Lobito's65Cat]

Cool, thanks Joe!!! I guess that will make mine a three core.

Thanks for the info.

[64cat]

NMcCoy,
What type of modifications did you have to do to get that rediator to work.

[bonneville Joe]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Lobito's65Cat:
Cool, thanks Joe!!! I guess that will make mine a three core.

Thanks for the info. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


Yup, thats a 3 row for sure.

[LASJayhawk]

Assuming an automatic, the tank at the filler side is as wide as a 4 row. I had a local shop make me a radiator for my 65 GP. Using my right side tank, a new 4 row core (one of the 'vetts is the same HxW) and a new tank for the drivers side. I had to modify the bracket on the drivers side to clear the larger tank (modify=bend). Took him 4 hours for the rebuild and cost me $214

[LASJayhawk]

Oh, the 65 Pontiac B body radiator is unique it fits nothing else. thats why nobody has one in stock.

[Lobito's65Cat]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> Oh, the 65 Pontiac B body radiator is unique it fits nothing else. thats why nobody has one in stock. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Just our luck..hehe Still is great to own such a unique car