26" Radiator Question

[challengermaniac]

My latest issue in swapping out the 318 to 340 on my 70 Challenger comes from the radiator.  My mechanic told me today that he can't bolt up the 1972 26" radiator I purchased for this project.  Can someone tell me what the problem is (I haven't actually seen it yet) and give me some recommendations, keeping in mind that I like the stock look.

Thanks, Charlie

ps: In addition to the 1972 26" radiator, I also have the fan shroud, clutch and fan.

[ntstlgl1970]

your car may have the 22" and not the 26" radiator support in it maybe. would also mean the bolt holes are not in the right location. Depending on what appearance you are going for, some people just cut out the opening to fit the radiator and drill mounting holes. Some people will replace the radiator support with the parts for the 26" radiator, that is a lot of work (cutting welding painting) but would end up with a more stock appearing car.

http://www.stephensperformance.com/newandreproductionpart/radiatorsupportsparts.html

[shadango]

I am running a 26" rad in my 22" car.

I just made a couple of small spacers for the right side holes that I had to drill.  I guess to he purist it isnt right but it works and looks fine to me.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Charlie,

  A REALLY weak guess here, but is that 26" radiator from an E-Body? I'm just thinking in 72 the E-Bodies didn't have big blocks anymore, so if this radiator is from some other Mopar with a big block, then the input and output will be on the wrong sides for your 340.

  Mike

[moparmaniac59]

I believe if the car had A/C it came with the bigger 26" radiator. At least mine did, but it is a '74 and originally a 318 car.


                                                 Matt B.

[shadango]

Charlie,

  A REALLY weak guess here, but is that 26" radiator from an E-Body? I'm just thinking in 72 the E-Bodies didn't have big blocks anymore, so if this radiator is from some other Mopar with a big block, then the input and output will be on the wrong sides for your 340.

  Mike

Small blocks need a rad with the top hose on the drivers side and the lower hose on the passenger side...my 26" was used in a 340 AAR Cuda before I got it.... but I agree with Moparmaniac....seems that A/C cars had the bigger option.  Thats what my manual shows at least.......thats how I figured out I wanted a 26" rad.

I was worried at first about not having the bigger hole in front....about 4 inches of the rad sit behind sheet metal....but doesnt seem to hurt anything....my temp stays nice and cool even when I am hammering it.  Granted its "only" a tweaked 318 but....

[Moparal]

all 26 inch rads dont have the same bracket hole locations. my 72 cuda 340 car came with a 26 inch rad. I bought another 26 and it was from a c body car and the hole locations were off.