GM CROSSFLOW RADIATORS
1965-1981 OEM Style Copper & Brass
Standard or High Efficiency
2-Row, 3-Row or 4-Row
Automatic or Manual Transmission
We have the parts and the experience necessary to build you a brand new GM crossflow radiator with the most authentic looking brass tanks available.
They are available with original-style cores with the tubes placed 9/16" from each other (just as Harrison originally designed them for General Motors) or in a high efficiency design with the tubes closer together for about 20%-25% better cooling. They can also be built with or without an automatic transmission cooler.
We custom build these radiators to order --- usually within a few days!
There are many variations on the GM crossflow radiator. The ubiquitous General Motors crossflow radiator was first introduced in 1965 in some GM models as the cars' hoods were getting lower and wider. Call us at 516-293-2175 to get your Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Cadillac or Chevy/GMC truck, van or Suburban/Blazer radiator in copper and brass just like GM made it.
In order to build exactly what you need, we may need to ask you some questions specific to your car. Call us at 516-293-2175 and we can start on your authentic copper radiator right away!!!
​
We know that there are many inexpensive, imported aluminum or even plastic/aluminum radiators out there for you to purchase. Please consider buying an American made copper/brass radiator for your classic American vehicle, hand-built by professionals. The fit, appearance and lifespan can't be beaten by the cheap generic imports!
Custom Built by Hand in the USA!
Shown below are examples of the biggest problem for General Motors' crossflow radiators, which adorned the vast majority of G's Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac, Oldsmobile and Chevy/GMC trucks and vans between 1965 and 1981. The name of this problem is known within the cooling system industry as 'header spots." while that may not sound very scary, it's the number one reason why copper-core GM crossflow radiators manufactured from 1965 to 1981 by Harrison manufacturing (as well as aftermarkets) are recored or replaced so often.
​
Header spots are not indicative of a quality issue from Harrison, but are caused by caused by rust. Rust comes from the oxygen in water (It's the "O" in H20). No matter how well a radiator is made, rust will destroy a radiator. The reason it's so prevalent in GM's cars and light trucks is because their cast iron engine blocks tend to flake apart on a pretty regular basis.
Corners are always reinforced for strength
​
The best way to prevent this problem (and several others, such as rotted freeze-out plugs and rusty heaters) is to never run straight water in your cooling system. Although water is the best liquid for transferring heat, it is also, as mentioned earlier, the primary cause of cooling system damage. Changing your coolant at the vehicle manufacturer's recommended intervals is also important. Rust will cost you dearly. Water pump impellers have been known to rot due to rust, causing engines to overheat and head gaskets to warp. If your radiator gets header spots, you will need to replace it. Because this problem is so common, and because there are so many offshore manufacturers out there selling garbage that they're passing off a radiators, Classic Radiators now manufactures our own line of GM crossflow radiators!​​​
​
​​​
Unlike most of the competition, we don't mass produce one or two "universal" radiators to fit every GM model out there, nor do we build them using chea plastic tanks and aluminum cores. Every one of our Classic line of GM crossflow radiators is custom built by hand to our customer's specs right here in the USA! Because of this, you can order your new radiator with two, three or four rows of tubes (although we won't build them with fewer rows than the original). If your vehicle is an automatic, your radiator will be built with a new internal transmission cooler, but if it's a manual, we can build yours without one. We can also build with either a standard OEM-style core, or with a high efficiency core for significantly better (20-25) better cooling. if yours is a show car and you need the OEM tanks and side channels, we can do that, too; just send us your old radiator and we will make it happen for you! Whatever your needs are, we will cater to them. Most custom builds can be done in just a few days, or a little longer during our busy season. For pricing, please call Bill at 516-293-2175 to discuss your needs and options.
