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.

[ZLP955]

The biggest issue I found was the  pass tanks were not available in other than a couple of dates.

James can you remember which months? I recall looking at the reproduced '69 Z28 rad 3 or 4 years ago, and pretty sure the only date offered then on the CB tank was 'F'.

[Edgemontvillage]

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.

Tim, I noted that HBC is out of stock on the 3 row radiator cores, they currently list the full Harrison licenced radiator as “in stock” : http://www.heartbeatcitycamaro.com/store/product/13464/1967-1968-1969-Camaro-%26-Firebird-3-Core-Radiator-SB-302-307-327-350-400-With-Manual-Transmission-Without-AC/. The site image has the watermark “US Radiator”. 

[ZLP955]

Lloyd that link is to the 'replacement' style, which is the US Radiator product. I was referring to the exact reproductions of the assembly-line correct radiator assembly (example, the 1969 Z28: http://www.heartbeatcitycamaro.com/store/product/13508/1969-Camaro-Harrison-Radiator-OE-Style-3-Core-Tanks-%26-3-Row-Core-SB-With-Manual-Trans/) which are considerably more expensive. My understanding is that HBC has these made for them as a licensed product, the description says "We are the manufacturer of the Harrison radiators".

[ko-lek-tor]

I’d be very Leary of any US Radiator product. I bought a radiator from them. After receiving the item, I was dissatisfied as it did not look anything like their picture showed. I called them promptly to see why what I paid for was not what I expected based on their own site pictures and description? The owner returned my call and basically told me to stick it you know where? He made no apologies for the fact that the product was made totally different and required much rework to even make it usable. It was a classic bait and switch scheme. Show one thing, deliver something else. Like I said, major rework to get back to what was and should have been as described and pictured. Just another business in a long line of “do yourselves a favor and stay away from dishonest vendors” list.

[ZLP955]

That's very poor customer service, and from the owner indeed.....
Was this by any chance a BB rad core for Ratty? 

[ko-lek-tor]

Your are very perceptive, Tim. Yes, for “Ratty”, but not a core, a whole radiator. (https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=148678)[for those wondering what is being discussed?]That was the only part that was not GM I acquired for the build. Since then, I found and know where an honest to goodness manual trans curve neck UH 4 core sits all redone and ready. And it will be for sale soon. I may get that rad.?  , but plans point to using this one I had to redo.

Back to this threads point, I PMd Lloyd and told him to contact Steve Powell @ Powell Radiator, Wilmington, Ohio. Guy does restoration correct work on our beloved cars and Pebble Beach cars. He has done some awesome rare stuff and knows we’re to find correct cores and even some one of a kind work. He is more than a radiator guy. A true artist with old car knowledge and appreciation. He tinned my gas tank and showed me how to fix leaking brass carb floats.

[KurtS]

HBC's vendor is Heatex Radiator.  Interesting, they are owned by LKQ....

[Sauron327]

I've had Glen-Ray do work for me and the quality was excellent. They do have NOS cores in stock at times, and some used tanks as well.

[rlw68]

Ok yea, sorry I had seen these in the Classic Industries catalog.   Web site states "Note: Special order, must be prepaid. Non-returnable. Non-refundable."

https://www.classicindustries.com/product/1969/chevrolet/camaro/parts/hc216r.html

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.

[Danzo]

Lloyd, did you ever get yours done?
Thanks, Doc.

[Edgemontvillage]

Just picked up the re-cored rad (and heater core) yesterday and dropped it off with my painter (no photos yet). I was able to re-locate a guy who had done some rad work for me a few years ago and is now with another local shop. He (Gary) does all the rad work for a restoration shop in Vancouver, RX Autoworks who restored the 2018 Pebble Beach Concours Best of Show winning 1937 Alfa Romeo. His work is outstanding and he's developed a reputation for superb quality. After the Camaro rad was deconstructed and body worked it was off to Gary for re-coring. 

 
 

[G Smith]

try U.S. Radiator,,,,,

[BULLITT65]

Ed , How much does that cost for him to re-do the whole thing?