Running Warm part 2 (problem solved but might as well upgrade?)

[Chris996]

I'd like to first thank those who answered my "running warm" thread. I was able to fix my dual fans not coming on by cleaning and replacing the relays and cleaning up the grounds. The fans are now coming on at 167 degrees and staying on until the temps dip into the 165 range and do it over and over according to the Powerlogger.
I yanked the radiator and back flushed it. Seems it is a Victor Pro 0433918. What I can gather is it a single row Fbody replacement.
There is enough reading material to give an old timer like myself a headache when it comes to radiators.
Is there any reasonably priced ($200-$300) worthwile upgrade to this radiator? I'm at a loss for the significance of the amount of rows and why there is even 3 or 4 row radiators if a 2 row is suppose to work so well.

 

[psycho6cyl]

The f body replacement has been known to be a great contender for little money. If its working well not slushed up or leaking i would keep it. I believe the idea of rows is the more water moves the more heat can be added or lost from the anti freeze. Something to that effect not 100% sure on that

 

[Major Nutz]

One of the best things I've done was the F-body radiator and intrepid fans.

 

[earlbrown]

The reason there is four rows is because this is 'Merica, and more is always better.


Even though the 4th row is 'cooled' by very hot air so basically, 1/4+ of the coolant just cruises right through the radiator without shedding any heat.... It also adds ballast to the nose of the car making sure it's not too light.

 

[John Larkin]

Keep your eyes on the Parts For Sale section and watch for a stock radiator that needs recored. Perfect fit and you can get it repaired with a new brass 3 row core at a local radiator shop for a reasonable price.

 

[hensleyt]

https://www.autozone.com/cooling-he...trol/radiator/duralast-radiator/6180_912042_0
Exact fit upper and lower hose 1.25 core replace HD 3 row.
I just did this swoop from a good stock 3 row same stock upper hose,F body upper is smaller,not 100% sure but I believe the lower on F body is higher on the tank, the 87 Regal 5.0 is exact every thing as stock except 10 lb lighter( guessing)
Some F body and 5.0s just have a 1.0 core.Make sure you get the 1.25 (1 1/4) core.

 

[Ttype6]

There is enough reading material to give an old timer like myself a headache when it comes to radiators.
Is there any reasonably priced ($200-$300) worthwile upgrade to this radiator? I'm at a loss for the significance of the amount of rows and why there is even 3 or 4 row radiators if a 2 row is suppose to work so well.

It's not the number of rows that you need to look at. It's the width of the tubes. Here is a radiator that won't work for the GN because of the diameters of the inlet and outlet tubes,but they do provide good info about radiators. You could contact them to see if they offer one with the correct tubes.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/The-BEST-A...76285?fits=Make:Buick|Submodel:Grand+National

Here is a radiator that should work. They don't tell us the width of the tubes,but based on the thickness of the core,it should be 2 rows of 1" wide tubes. I would contact them to make sure.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Northern-2...95433?fits=Make:Buick|Submodel:Grand+National

Here is an exact replacement with both coolers and the petcock in the stock location.

https://www.kirbanperformance.com/product/44370/UPGRADED+ALUMINUM+RADIATOR+#7457.html

These are all radiators with 2 rows of 1' wide cooling tubes and will all cool equally well.

 

[Reggie West]

https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/52118/10002/-1