radiator question

i am buying a 4-core radiator for my project truck and was wondering what the difference is between one specified for air conditioning and one specified for without air conditioning. is the difference just that one has brackets for mounting an ac condenser? i thought the radiator had nothing to do with A/C. can anyone here clarify what's up? i just want to make sure i dont buy the wrong part

Year make model and engine would help.

A rad for AC is usually bigger or more cores.
Thats a bigger rad to keep the engine cool with AC.
Remember AC does not really make cold air but removes the heat from inside and drops it out in front of rad.
mt

it's a 73 chevy c-10 pickup that has a 383 stroker that will put out somewhere between 450 and 475 horsepower when it's all said and done. it HAD A/C from the factory but the compressor and all the tubing was gone when i bought the truck as well as the condenser. i will not be replacing the missing parts. i just figured i would get a 454 style radiator that has 4 cores and it should be sufficient for my setup, which has a turbo400 tranny.

Put the biggest one that will fit in it.
Good luck
MT

The original radiator had a 2 row core if it had standard cooling and a three row core if it had A/C. If you want to go all out get a high effeciency core. that will give you 18 fins per inch compared to the 9 or 11 that you get with a stock 4 row core. air control is just as important as the coolant.

i am buying a 4-core radiator for my project truck and was wondering what the difference is between one specified for air conditioning and one specified for without air conditioning. is the difference just that one has brackets for mounting an ac condenser? i thought the radiator had nothing to do with A/C. can anyone here clarify what's up? i just want to make sure i dont buy the wrong part


do not use a 16lb radiator cap... if you do the seams will crack... this happened to me on 83 buick ....also in the winter you may have to cover radiator to get enough heat....when it gets below 10deg f...


use a 14lb cap, this is because the side tanks are so large they can't handle the higher pressure...I got the tip from a radiator shop owner and i never had this happen again....