Radiator brands.

The copper fittings were actually not what was leaking. It was leaking where the original transmission lines went into the copper fittings. The design of the original transmission lines don't allow for any type of gasket.

Here is where the original radiator crack
They all crack there at the oil cooler eventully
 
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I think the biggest problem with radiators is damage during shipping/handling.
Me too.

Years back, I needed a radiator and Hackensack Radiator, a great outfit which commonly re-cored/re-tanked radiators, ran out of my size core.
They called around and found a shop with a good used one which they would warranty. Again, super good people.
However, it was a Friday afternoon, and I didn't want a vulnerable radiator thrown on the truck.
The had new ones in boxes, so that's what I bought. Safe and sound.
 
The driver's side, side tank on the radiator in my 1998 Chevrolet K3500 with the 7.4L has cracked. GM no longer offers a radiator for this truck so I was wondering what aftermarket brand of radiator has worked well for you?
I have used Murrey ones on our 92 Cavaliers that only lasted a few years and don't fit like the original one did. Rockauto has a few different brands that I have never heard of and I'm not sure getting one online is the best thing to do in case of a warranty issue.

Thanks for any input.
I went to advance auto and ordered a replacement radiator for my cavalier. This was a year ago but just now replaced it. I tossed the box out not sure of the brand. It fit exactly with no issues.
 
I went to advance auto and ordered a replacement radiator for my cavalier. This was a year ago but just now replaced it. I tossed the box out not sure of the brand. It fit exactly with no issues.
I wish the ones for out 92 and 94 Cavalier fit exactly. It will not sit correctly in the rubber cradle at the bottom of the core support on the driver's side on both years so there is some movement of the radiator. The Murray one that was in our 94 Cavalier developed a leak on the driver's side where the tank met the fins and it was only a few years old. I replaced it under warranty and a short time later the transmission went out. The car is not worth fixing so it's sitting in the field with a bunch of new parts on it, some of which will probably be used for our two remaining 92's.
 
Took the truck for a test drive and the lower radiator hose at the radiator is leaking. I have the clamp as tight as I can get it with a ratchet so I'm going to have to mess around with it later after everything cools down.

The upper transmission line is still slightly seeping where the line goes into the adapter and it's as tight as I can get it. I may have to take it back off and put some teflon tape on the threads but I have not had much luck with using it on transmission lines in the past.
 
I've had lower hoses leak when the clamp wasn't seated square.

Not much help on the tx line but you could try the Permatex thread sealant. It's white and has a really sweet smell.
 
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I've had lower hoses leak when the clamp wasn't seated square.

Not much help on the tx line but you could try the Permatex thread sealant. It's white and has a really sweet smell.
From what I can tell it's square, but I can't see the bottom of the hose that well. The inside of the hose was clean and I put the hose clamp back in the same spot on the hose where it had been before. It does look like the hose can be slid up a little closer to the radiator so I'm going to try that as well.

I do have some Permatex hi-temp thread sealant so I will try that. Thanks.
 
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