'64 Ford Falcon Raditor for pre-'79 323i? HELP!!

[onedroppr]

For the last days I've been trying to source a budget replacement radiator for my original old pre-'79 323i.

Been reading in the forums many options including the M3 aluminum from eBay (seems good but lots of fabs involved). Also saw an opinion of using a '64 Ford Falcon radiator, but height is to tall.

Found locally a Carquest (advance auto parts) 3 row radiator for a '64 falcon for under $100. Product number is #433251.

I visited the Advance Auto store and take some measurements. Height is 20.5" up to the cap (there's the problem I think), width is 18" and that seems perfect to me.

It's so close the hood to the radiator when the hood is closed? Original radiator is 19" tall.

There's any I can modify the radiator supports to put them maybe 1" lower so I can fit this nice and cheap rad?

Looks to me like the spectra in my 320i.

Any help, opinion, thoughts gonna be really appreciated.

• Construction: Brass Tank/Copper Core
• Core Width (In): 17 Inch
• Core Height (In): 16-5/16 Inch
• Core Depth (In): 1-7/8 Inch
• Number Of Rows: 3
• Inlet Hose Diameter (In): 1-1/4 Inch
• Outlet Hose Diameter (In): 1-1/4 Inch
• Inlet Location: Top Passenger Side
• Outlet Location: Bottom Driver Side
• Mount Type: Front Flange
• Engine Oil Cooler Included: No
• Transmission Oil Cooler Included: Yes

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[amarino]

Isn't the lower hose connection on the wrong side?

[onedroppr]

At least my 323i got the lower hose on that side. In the original radiator it's more on the side of the rad, but I'm sure there's no problem to make it fit. It's a matter of a few inches.

My main concern it's about being a little tall and touching the hood.

[amarino]

Whoops, missed the 323i part, sorry.

Does your car have the 2 little standoffs on the bottom, like here:
http://s1233.photobucket.com/user/la...07970.jpg.html

and removed here:
http://s1233.photobucket.com/user/la...07973.jpg.html


Also I believe the E21 hood had a little notch in it where the radiator cap goes that might give you that extra inch. But I'm not sure if your earlier 323i has that or if it lines up with the radiator you're looking it.

[onedroppr]

Whoops, missed the 323i part, sorry.

Does your car have the 2 little standoffs on the bottom, like here:
http://s1233.photobucket.com/user/la...07970.jpg.html

and removed here:
http://s1233.photobucket.com/user/la...07973.jpg.html


Also I believe the E21 hood had a little notch in it where the radiator cap goes that might give you that extra inch. But I'm not sure if your earlier 323i has that or if it lines up with the radiator you're looking it.

Thanks man that pictures are a great help. Mine actually is original so there are the 2 standoffs in the car.

Maybe if I remove them I gain a few more inches to play with, but not sure how much more.

Good thing is rad had side brackets, so think I can remove the standoffs and secure it from the sides with screws.

[amarino]

Not my pics, they are actually from Ski's infamous thread. I just happened to remember that he had good pictures of that area and on the very first page of the thread so they were easy to find.

[onedroppr]

Thanks anyway my friend, will take a closer look at that part of ski's thread.

Tomorrow morning I'm gonna take some more measurements in the 323i. The thing is the old radiator is still installed so taking measures is a little hard.

Don't want to loose that opportunity on that radiator, is the only one in the whole island and for $97 is a steal. That would be the cost only for the shipping to bring it here.

I visited the store today to check it, and its solid well constructed very similar to the spectra used for M10's. It's a 3 row, plenty of cooling for my 2.7L.

I'm very motivated with the project, hope I can make it fit.

[autox320]

I seem to remember a Ford Pinto rad fitting. There was also a GM radiator from Griffin (through summitracing) that I've seen used. Can't remember what part number but dimensions were almost perfect size with the 1.25" inlet and outlets.