TIPS ON SIZING A RADIATOR CORE (How to measure for a replacement) When your radiator core has to be replaced, it's critical that all of the core measurements are accurate. If the heavy duty truck core measurements are inaccurate, reassembly will be difficult at best, or impossible without re-fabrication, possibly leading to serious cooling problems. Start by measuring the core height, which is always the distance between the tanks. Note this may be a horizontal dimension on some radiators. Next measure the core width, but do not include the side rails. Next determine the core thickness. It's critical to determine for a heavy duty truck radiator core the number of rows, tube size, distance between tubes, the type and number of fins per inch and whether the core is centred on the headers or whether there is an offset. If it's a bolt-on tank, a bolt pattern will be required. If it's a solder-on radiator tank, the corner radius will be required. All of these measurements must be accurately determined prior to fabrication of the heavy duty truck core. The best way to insure that the heavy duty truck radiator core measurements and characteristics are accurately determined, and to insure that your truck is properly cooled, is to have a radiator specialist do it for you. That way you know it's been done right.
