I've been working on installing the Champion aluminum 3-row model CC339 which is supposed to be a direct fit for our cars. It is turning out to be the complete opposite. I have had to shave the corners of the frame rail, cut out a notch in the frame for the pet-cock, now the fan is rubbing the shroud.There are no other holes to move the shroud up or down. Assistance on this would be appreciated.
These issues have bee discussed several times. All of our cars are not exact so some of us experience some or all of the issues. I think some of us found the radiators to also be slightly different from one batch to another. But those differences not as likely to cause griefs as the differences in the car itself. I think some of the problems are in the position of height. I THINK the holes are drilled in the wrong spot so the radiator sits low. I THINK I read that the drain cock can be replaced with one that is turned down..
Champion radiators are garbage for the most part Though I've had really good luck with the 2 row 1in core I've ordered with the maverick I ordered a 4 row 3/4 core Al for my 72 skylark And it leaked within a week. Returned it and got nee.replacement and about a week thathat one also leaked at the core.. Chucked it out and bought a 1.5 core 2 row alumitech rad and wish did that from the start. Also allot of people had the same.problem with their 3 core rads also on the buick forum I belong too
The tube length/thickness is really small on their 3(3/4 CORE) and 4 row 3/4 core rads and was pretty.much built like an original brass/copper sstyle rather then a good aluminum rad with 1 to 1.5 thick tubes per row which also yields better flat to tube ratio vs the small 3/4 tubes on their gimmick of a 3 and 4 row rad
I agree - these radiators shud not be classified as direct fit. I have the same rad but did'nt have to modify the frame rail corners. I did have to notch the crossmember for the petcock. Also, my factory shroud wud not work w/o some/ "quite-a-few" mods. At that point, I wanted a elec fan setup anyway, so I nix the engine drv fan and went to elec. I believe the distributor/s of the rad shud inform buyers "some modification required". Not assume everyone going to another radiator setup, wants or has the desires/skills to make these mods.
