Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Hi all,

I've got a 22nd 2271 Super-8 (manual trans). ...and due to a poor previous restoration, I've got some oddities that I'm trying to correct.

I pulled the radiator and I was going to get it flushed and pressure tested. There doesn't seem to be a tag (like my standard 8 McCord radiator has) on it.

How can I tell if I have the correct radiator for my engine. The Hollander manual is a bit confusing.

I do have a four core radiator. Are the tops and bottoms of the units interchangeable? The lower outlet seems quite corroded. So I may need to hunt up a new one. (anyone have one?)

Thanks!

Mark

For what it's worth, my 51 200 288 continually ran too warm with the original radiator after I rebuilt the engine as a 327. (used crank, rods etc out of a 327 with a cracked block) I took the radiator to my local shop and had them put the biggest core they could fit on the top and bottom tanks. That worked well, and ran just under $500. I would recommend this path, as even if you find a NOS radiator, you will probably have to clean and rod it, and then pray that the old copper hasn't weakened over the years. A good shop should be able to rebuild the bottom outlet as well.

Yes, I am rebuilding a new 327. ...as the old 327 had many 288 parts (intake, exhaust and carb) I'm concerned that the radiator is from a 288 also. (did I mention that the block had cracked)

So, I'm trying to figure out what (radiator) I have. I am going to have the radiator rebuilt, so I want to know if the difference in the radiators is the cores, or if the whole unit is different.

I have a radiator from a 288 (confirmed). I will compare them.

Thanks,

Mark

Sorry, didn't answer the question, As I remember, the 288 radiator core was about 1/2" thinner than the 327 version. Tanks were the same I think. The 288 radiator is now gone to the crusher as it was pretty much toast.

David, there are some options on the replacement for your radiator core: Larger tubes, staggered tubes, more tubes. I would suggest you get the highest capacity core that will fit with your top and bottom tanks. And, as has been suggested earlier, a good radiator shop should be able to repair the lower hose fitting.

I had the radiator core replace on my 47 Custom Clipper a couple of years ago. I choose the larger number and staggered tube option. Not inexpensive but a good investment for your Packard.

(o[]o)