Re: radiators for a Hornet

[Matt Haas <mhaas@xxxxxxx>]

Tom,

I'm going through the same problem with the radiator for my wagon (and I 
went through it with my other American back in 1998 when it's engine was 
rebuilt). Basically, the older radiators used an odd sized core that no one 
makes anymore. The core is being made up custom for the wagon (I think the 
same thing happened with the other American) which means it will cost me 
more and take longer (the estimate was $175 to $200).

Modine no longer lists a radiator for any AMC car older than 1980 in their 
catalogs (the one they list is 1R-579) and they had nothing in the cross 
reference for your part number. You may be able to find something that will 
fit. The catalog can be downloaded from http://www.modine.com and has 
dimensions in it.

Matt

At 03:35 PM 9/20/2005 -0700, you wrote:
> I'm having a hell of a time with what I thought would be a
> no-brainer.
>
> I need a new radiator in my 70 Hornet. The one in there is just
> some thing I had laying around in the yard, core is 24.25 x 14 x
> 1.25 (two-row), Modine, 3180684, which I think is an AMC number.
> It's a perfect fit, but a taller radiator (17") would fit.
>
> www.radiators.com says that number is no longer in production
> (their #268).  I've always heard good things about them, but I'm
> skeptical that they don't have a part for a car made for 18 years
> and combines two cars (Hornet and Gremlin).
>
> When the guy on the phone looked it up by application, he first
> insisted that the top hose was on the drivers side and bottom on
> the passenger side; he next came up with a side-tank part that
> turned out to be a camaro part. None of this fills me with
> confidence.
>
> I've got two-row but want three. Has anyone bought one recently?
>
> I was (foolishly) assuming I could get a new replacement for $150
> or so, but it looks like $300 or more. Is this really so?
>
> My current one is old and has a seep, but I can wait a week
> or two to mailorder.
>
> In the past I would have one repaired, but I don't trust most
> radiator shops (with all the new plastic systems the solder guys
> have become bottom feeders) and I don't know of a good one. Too
> many times I have problems a year later.

mhaas@xxxxxxx
Cincinnati, OH
http://www.mattsoldcars.com
1967 Rambler American wagon
1968 Rambler American sedan
===============================================================
According to a February survey of Internet holdouts released by
UCLA's Center for Communication Policy, people cite
not having a computer as the No. 1 reason they won't go online.