I ordered the 3 core and it doesn't fit quite right, not sure if this is normal. Its deep enough that I will have to notch the front crossbar to make clearance room and its slightly too narrow 1/2" and wont reach the bolt holes so I will have to make brackets. Anyone else have this issue, looks like the drain plug will only be for show.
Its not uncommon to have to trim, the front of the cross member to clear the lower tank on both ends and notch the cross member for the drain plug. The bolt holes being off is a new one though...
These rads are basically universal fit.....They aren't made specifically for these cars so some adapting is necessary
I don't know what's up with the mounting issues. Mine matched the mount holes perfectly in the factory AC, 302 car. Did have to notch the crossmember for the drain. I notched the crossmember and put a street elbow in to get a turn down and make it easy to collect coolant when draining it. The radiator was made specifically for the Mavericks and Comets but they went for the max capacity. I'm wondering it you got a universal model rather than the one(s) made to fit the Mavericks and Comets.
Mine fit with no issues. I too will need to put a turn down on the petcock though.. But it clears enough to turn it. Almost looks like the radiator could shift over enough to get the screws in the other side..
I found that the same radiator fit one of my cars with no problems, would not line up with the holes on the second and required notching of the crossmember on the third. There was quite a bit of variation between the cars in places I wouldn't have expected.
They're made in China where quality control in not the greatest. But more than likely it's the cars that are the issue. They're old and they start to sink and twist in all sorts of places.
First and formost I am an advicate of buying USA made products...........now with that said unless you have been to China and watched how manufacturing and quality control has improved in the past decade or two...........well, that's a pretty broad statement. If you look at the lower end products S.C.A.T, Eagle, and C.A.T. sells.........like cranks both forged and cast, Hbeam rods.....all of these are made in China and you see very few issues anymore, not like when they first started some 10/15 years ago. If any of you collect Danbury Mint or Franklin Mint, or even GMP..................all of these are made in China!, and on the other side of the coin is the cheap stuff they mass produce...............yes, quality control is lacking..................so, you get what you pay for..........."If you don't pay much, you don't get much"..........is still in effect. The reason I bought a Champion was that knowone wanted to make a 4 core radiator for the Maverick without me spending twice as much as what I paid for the Champion, and for the drag car it just wasn't worth the added cost, and I know it will be an easy installation, or at least I think so. When I get it and install it I'll post more pictures and talk about how easy or hard it was to install.......................................................................IMHO
I ordered the one that claimed to be for Mavericks/Mustangs/Fairlanes. This is a non A/C car. What is a street elbow? I have the bolt started on the right side and its pulled as far to the left as it will go. It needs about 1/4"-1/2" more to reach.
A street elbow is a threaded 45 or 90 degree elbow. Male threads on one end and female threads on the other.
It looks like Champion has made some changes. The radiators that I believe were available when I got mine aren't listed for Fairlanes and I don't remember them being listed for Mustangs back then. http://www.championradiators.com/page/404081708 There are other ones listed now for Mavericks that have a longer part number, are different dimensions, and are listed for Mustangs and Fairlanes too. http://www.championradiators.com/page/474079589 But, they are all out of stock.
Nope, Griffin has for years, but as with anything of superior quality, they are not cheap, but if I have 5 grand or more in my engine, I don't think I'd be relying on a $200 rad.....
