VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1961-1964 1963 impala - radiator

has anyone had any experience with the original equipment replacement radiator from jegs?..it looks like a correct replacement size-wise...

i also found a four-row radiator at eckler's...anyone have any experience with this one for a 327 & powerglide?..

Did you check with Show Cars in Minnesota? They seem to have a good selection of "correct" looking reproduction parts. The radiator I purchased from them 20 years ago for my 348 is performing perfectly

I have used radiators from Classic Industries, Jeg's and Summit with no issues, 3 row and 4 row, as well as a correct 409" radiator from Show Cars that had the correct sloping top.

They all looked and worked as original with no issues.

I no longer use Eckler's as I posted a honest review stating that I felt their shipping charges were inflated, especially with the "if it fits, it ships" pricing from the
USPS. On several of my orders the cost they added was more than double the going rate. Very small parts that went inside an envelope. I understand that
there is manpower and overhead to account for, but compared to other suppliers who have similar costs, Eckler's was over 2X comparable shipping.

Anyway, they deleted my comments and sent me note that they do not allow negative reviews. When I looked at their website again, sure enough, there
was nothing but glowing remarks. This makes it impossible to see how they really perform. To me it matters, and the best way to express your concern is
with your wallet, which I did.

Bobalouie

I agree Bob, I too avoid Eckler's shipping is WAY OVERPRICED, and technical support is not there AT ALL, and I am talking about a simple question that they could not answer.

I just checked the Show Cars catalog and they don't list a small block radiator.

thank you both for your helpful comments, bobalouie and john...I will contact eckler's and inquire about the shipping on their radiator, since they even mention on the webpage that "this item has additional shipping charges due to heavy weight or oversize dimensions"...

they quoted $52 for ground shipping plus an $11 shipping surcharge...the base shipping sounds about right, but since it ships direct from the manufacturer, the surcharge is just extra revenue for them...I may still order it from them, but I wonder why they don't choose to be more direct and just increase the item price by eleven dollars?..

If you know the manufacturer of the radiator, you may be able to contact them directly and avoid middleman upcharges...just a thought. Good luck
on your project!

Bob

Any chance of having yours re-cored?

yes, that's possible...i haven't actually pulled the radiator to see where the pinhole leak is, but the tanks still look excellent from the outside...over the recent years, most of the old radiator shops around here have closed, leaving just the newer shops that mostly like to work on modern cars...I called one the other day in a nearby town and he said it would be anywhere from $500 - $750, if I brought the radiator in removed from the car...so I thought, well for that kind of money, I may as well get a new radiator...my guess would be that any new radiator may not be as well made as my original harrison, but the old radiator is almost sixty years old and the tanks are probably are't as good as they once were, either (I sound like toby keith)...but maybe I should try calling another shop...thanks for the suggestion...

You might want to try https://www.coldcaseradiators.com/products/make/chevrolet/model/impala !
They have a good reputation on the tryfive site.

thanks for the tip, p.k....

I had looked at their site...they offer aluminum radiators that they claim will look original after painting...has anyone used one of these and found that to be the case?..and were there any issues with mounting and fit?..

finally, is the aluminum two row as effective as the brass & copper 4 row?..

the price is appealing, as it's only 2/3 the cost of the brass & copper radiators...

I would personally have a shop look at it first. It might only need the pinhole fixed, and get away with having it boiled out. If your going to replace you still are going to have to take it out regardless.

thanks for the advice, john...yes, it's worth a shot...

I drove three towns over to the last remaining old-time radiator shop that is still operating around here...unfortunately, the owner said that it's leaking from the core and can't be repaired...he also pointed out that it is a two-row (i had always assumed it was three)...was this the standard radiator for a 327/250 w/o ac?..

An old school shop should be able to install a new core in your rad. Is your rad too far gone or just too expensive to do a recore vs a replacement rad?

the tanks are in good shape and can be re-cored, but buying a new oer from jegs would be over $200 less...

I have purchased OEM style radiators from Jegs for a '62 Impala, a '65 Malibu, a '62 Nova and a '64 Belair. All cooled well and fit and looked as original.
My cars were drivers, not show cars, but I had no issues. For the price difference, I went with the 4 core radiators, although I was not having a cooling
issue with the stock radiators. All cars were 327" motors, with approx. 360hp, 4sp and autos. I would buy one again, for what it's worth. Bobalouie

the only four row radiators offered by jegs and the manufacturer, oer, are designated for the 409...would a 409 radiator fit, since I have a 327?..

bob, did the four row fit well in your '62?..

Yes, it did fit I bought a '62 Impala that originally had a 327" and was replaced with a 409". They did not change the radiator when they made the
switch, so I installed the HD, correct 409" radiator. It was a direct bolt-in replacement. I also did the same thing in a '64 Belair that originally had a 6 cylinder, replacing it with a 409"...no issues, but I did use the fan shroud as the 409" fan shroud is about 1" shorter to allow for the longer water pump on the 409"
versus the small block V8 or 6 cylinder motors.

Hope this helps, Bob

thanks, bob...that's great news...

i have a powerglide, so I hope that the cooler ports are in the same place for the lines...and I assume the upper and lower hose diameters and locations are the same?..

I was doing 4 speed cars, so I can't remember if you have to order the radiator for a auto or a manual. 409" cars did come with both, so
I would guess you still can order the radiator with the proper fitting outlets, and them may have one radiator, and if you are using it with
an auto, just plug those outlets. Yes, the hose diameters were the same. Bob

since you used the four-row, it must have been notched to clear the steering gear box?..

I know that I didn't have to do anything extra to install it...just bolt in and go. My car did not have power steering, though.

If you call Show Cars they should be able to answer all your questions. Very nice people to deal with in my experience.

Bob

thanks, bob...i'm not familiar with "show cars"...how do I contact them?..