1969 Z/28 Radiator Core - Source?

[Edgemontvillage]

I am trying to locate a new, replacement 3 row, 20 3/4" radiator core for my 1969 Z/28 project with OE style fins that will pass judging. I plan to re-use the original dated Harrison tanks and channels however need a core. I checked Heartbeat City and they have no stock and are back-ordered. I searched CRG threads and didn't come up with much.  Does anyone have a source for an original style Z/28 radiator core?

[BULLITT65]

I am somewhat in the same boat. I talked to someone a couple months back that told me heartbeat city actually gets theres from a radiator shop that is local to them. They also will install the top header piece that was unique to camaro. I didn't get the name of the shop.
I did a quick search and the 2 closest look like avon radiator 282 852 1551
and more likely  north american radiator 586 254 1980

Worth calling to find out maybe. I was told it is cheaper getting it directly from them as well, go figure...

Post if either of those were the right one.

Good luck

[69Z28-RS]

you fellas might want to read thru this link from when I was jumping thru hoops to get a correct recoring for my radiator...  (from 2013)

http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=10430.0

[ZLP955]

Years ago a buddy recommended Glen-Ray Radiators in WI, although I recall they seemed to specialise in non-GM brands back then; not sure if they do others now, but the process seemed very thorough and as you'd want for a restoration you plan to get judged at top level.
I haven't done anything with my own rad yet (process is even harder down here....) so can't comment further.
Gary - do you know the manufacturer and part number of the core you had fitted?

[Hans L]

I am trying to locate a new, replacement 3 row, 20 3/4" radiator core for my 1969 Z/28 project with OE style fins that will pass judging. I plan to re-use the original dated Harrison tanks and channels however need a core. I checked Heartbeat City and they have no stock and are back-ordered. I searched CRG threads and didn't come up with much.  Does anyone have a source for an original style Z/28 radiator core?

Curious - what exactly are "OE Style Fins"?   

I had my Z's radiator re-cored.  Unfortunately, someone prior to my ownership also had it re-cored, but fortunately they re-used the original date coded side tanks but not the top/bottom channels.   I ordered the reproductions channels from HBC and went to my local radiator shop specifying exactly what I needed - 3 core, 20.75", etc and needed them to re-use the side tanks and the channels I provided.  He said it's gonna be expensive, called around and confirmed he had a sourced and could do the job.  Took a few weeks, but it appears exactly as Gary's in the link provided - down to the cooling fins.   Maybe I got lucky, but maybe just ask a local radiator shop, tell what you need and see if they can source that core?

[69Z28-RS]

In 2013 there were sources for 'reproduction 69 Z28 radiator cores', but like every other 'reproduction' part, there are always differences from original.   At that time, the difference was in the top/bottom rails (repros did not have the square holes as did the originals).   I'm trying to find my notes on the person I spoke with and the details, but no luck so far... I'll continue looking!)..  In the meantime, I'm pretty certain that I began with 'Joe' at Tanks and Tabs, 801 Fesslers Lane, Nashville, 800-874-2559 (recommended by Steve), and went from there.  The other thread mentioned that Joe was getting his cores from Northern (northern radiator?) and I'm fairly certain that I got a contact for Northern from Joe, and spoke directly to the core manufacturer... a lady from MS originally, but at that time the only shop they had that would install customer top/bottom rails to their cores was in Texas... so that was where my rails went for installation onto the repro core...

Note:  re the comment on 'oe style fins'...  I assume he means the fin pitch, which on my original was between 12-14 fins/inch... and is matched on the repro core.

[Hans L]

In 2013 there were sources for 'reproduction 69 Z28 radiator cores', but like every other 'reproduction' part, there are always differences from original.   At that time, the difference was in the top/bottom rails (repros did not have the square holes as did the originals).
 
Note:  re the comment on 'oe style fins'...  I assume he means the fin pitch, which on my original was between 12-14 fins/inch... and is matched on the repro core.

Yes reproduction channels were wrong on the repro rad's - I remember that now, which lead me to the path I went down.  The HBC reproduction top and bottom channels do have the square holes - used on the assembly line I think.

Confirmed the core I have has 12-13 fins/inch.   I can go through my receipts as well if needed to determine the source of the core.

[Edgemontvillage]

Thanks for the ideas and input, seems Tanks 'N Tabs in Nashville is no longer in operation. Tim, I browsed the web site for Glen-Ray Radiators in WI and quickly concluded they are a Mopar-only shop...reading on, they make passing reference they also do rad work for other muscle cars so I called.  I spoke with the shop owner, Bob Schirmer who told me that Mopar is their bread and butter however specialty shops like theirs  (read: attention to detail and quality) are becoming harder to find so demand has enabled them to branch out to service other marques and they routinely do GM and Ford work. Bob said that he's been getting several Shelby rads in recently as the word has spread in that hobby community. He seemed knowledgeable about the details I asked about and can source GM OEM style 3 row cores so I'm going to send him both my rad and heater core. He was insistent that as a they are a full service shop they will also body-work the tanks as needed to address dents etc as too often what they receive from customers following body shop repairs needs correction. I will post more on this as progress continues .   


My original UH Code Radiator, CB Tank & Tag, dated "B" February


OE Style Fins / spacing

[Hans L]

Lloyd -

Thanks for the detailed pics - very helpful.    I compared to my re-cored rad and I'd say very very close.  In case you need another source, I used Intermountain out of Poway, CA, now called BNCautoradiator:  http://bncautoradiator.com, my job Ref # 42217.  They may be able to tell you where they sourced the radiator core. 

They also pressure-tested the heater core and verified it was good to go.

Here's how the radiator turned out:





 

[Edgemontvillage]

That's helpful, thanks Hans.

[ZLP955]

Sounds good Lloyd, hope it meets your expectations.
Hans, your radiator looks good, I will probably end up buying the most original-appearing core that I can source (like yours) and find a local place that can put it together with my tanks and rails - shipping everything back to the States for restoration and then back again here would put it well over the US$1,000 mark and I just can't justify that.....

[rlw68]

Rick's now offers these repro's.  Anyone know if they are as good as advertised ?

https://www.rickscamaros.com/camaro-harrison-radiators-show-quality-correct.html

[69Z28-RS]

I can't think of a single reproduction part that is as 'good as advertised'...  As for this radiator... they didn't show the top/bottom rails so can't confirm the presence of the square holes.  nor did I see mention of the fin pitch... but maybe I was looking too hard for the square holes in the top/bottom rails and just missed the other technical specs...?

[ZLP955]

Rick's now offers these repro's.  Anyone know if they are as good as advertised ?
https://www.rickscamaros.com/camaro-harrison-radiators-show-quality-correct.html

Didn't check them all, but for every type of radiator offered in the list that I clicked on via that link, they all said 'availability: discontinued'.
I'd suggest Eckler's was previously sourcing these from Heartbeat City, as far as I know they are the only manufacturer licensed to reproduce parts with the 'HARRISON' logo.
Ties in with Lloyd's comment in the original post, that even HBC has no current stock.

[firstgenaddict]

I put a HBC reproduction Harrison radiator in my old 69 Z28.
The squared rail punches are correct and the Harrison logo is nice and crisp. The biggest issue I found was the  pass tanks were not available in other than a couple of dates.