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TRYING TO FIND CORRECT DUSTER RADIATOR HELP!  
e.gunn e.gunn
New User | Posts: 9 | Joined: 10/07
Posted: 10/09/07
03:25 PM

I am new to this site and after briefly looking it over it looks like a very useful site. I am the third owner of a 1971 340 Duster. I have had it for 5 years and I bought it from my cousin who bought it in 1981. It has been in storage since 1992. I finally brought her back to life last Saturday evening and she sounds very good. I am not talking a restoration here. I got the original Thermoquad rebuilt, I had to replace the fuel tank, sender,pump and lines. New thermostat. I put an electronic ignition in, didn't want to deal with the old dual points distributor. New ignition coil,plugs and wires. I lubed the cylinders and turned engine by hand,then cranked it using battery with spark plugs out. Then hooked everything up and about 4 or 5 cranks and she fired up. After the smoke cleared I did some carb. and timing adjustments. I wish I could say everything was peachey but I can't because the more I run it the more I am finding little problems. The latest and so far the greatest challenge is trying to find a new radiator. The old one has several hairline cracks in the top tank. Every parts place that I have checked with carries a radiator that looks like it should fit but the core thickness is only 1 1/4" and my old one has a core that's 1 7/8" thick. Thus, there is a 3/4" gap between the radiator and the core support. I talked to one person that said no radiators for my car are being made so it has to be custom made and it will take 3 weeks and cost a lot of $$. Am I the only person in Mapar World that has dealt with this problem?? If anyone out there knows if the correct radiator is available could you please let me know. I don't know if the old one can be repaired at a radiator shop since the tank has 5 or 6 cracks in it. I would GREATLY appreciate any help on this. Thank you!! e.gunn  


 
RBolig
Moderator | Posts: 367 | Joined: 12/03
Posted: 10/10/07
06:06 AM

It depends on how "correct" you want the radiator. If you want an actual, properly coded replacement, Glen-Ray Radiator in Wausau, WI, (800/537-3775), builds radiators for Mopars that are factory correct. If you just want a replacement copper-core radiator, any Advance, Autozone, or Napa should be able to help you, but they won't even be close to the factory stock unit.  


Sometimes you just gotta say...

 
e.gunn e.gunn
New User | Posts: 9 | Joined: 10/07
Posted: 10/10/07
02:01 PM

Thanks for the information. I must say though that the autoparts stores you mentioned do not carry nor can they order the correct 3 core radiator for my 1971 340 Duster! Trust me, I've been there and done that. All any of them can get is a 2 core radiator which will not fit even though their computers tell them it is the correct one. I used to be a Chevy man and after going through this I might become one again. If this were any vintage Chevy car there would be no problem getting a new radiator for it. I luv my duster though. Is it ok to swing both ways on a Mopar site??  


 
7duster4 7duster4
New User | Posts: 4 | Joined: 11/07
Posted: 11/19/07
02:41 PM

i have a 74 plymouth duster, i was and still a chevy man myself, but love dodge and plymouth muscle cars.to me mopar muscle is the best. mopar or no car!!!  


 
mopar3762 mopar3762
Enthusiast | Posts: 670 | Joined: 04/08
Posted: 04/25/08
01:44 PM

just buy an after market radiator from summit or jegs ,these will far out cool any copper radiator and their only 1 1/2 inch wide cores  


 
mopar3762 mopar3762
Enthusiast | Posts: 670 | Joined: 04/08
Posted: 05/01/08
06:35 AM

hi, theres a 1970 340 duster radiator on ebay. type in mopar A body. part # is 2998978 ,looks like a good core. hope this helps.  


 
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