Auto City Classics Radiator

[Contibob]

I am sure this has been discussed before, but I tried to install one of their radiators in my car and the fill tube hits my hood. I bought this almost four years ago and has been in a box on the shelf. I figured I would finally use it as one of my radiators is needs work.
Has any one else had this problem?

[RICH MUISE]

It takes a bit of work, but I got mine to fit and I have even moved it 1 1/4(?) towards the front, so it's even tighter that when in the normal position. I probably slotted some holes, can't remember doing much else except putting a 2 x 4 on top of the filler and wacking it with a hammer. A number of guys have used their radiators, and I don't recall anyone saying they couldn't make it fit. Would be nice if they made it a 1/4 to 1/2 or so shorter. I used silly putty on top of the radiator cap to check clearance by gently closing the hood. Found the silly putty in the toy section at a DollarTree.
5 years now with no issues with the radiator itself.......keeps my engine almost too cool. 195* all day long in 95* heat.
I'm assuming you're working with the v-8 version?

[59meteor]

I had this same issue with the Auto City aluminum radiator in my 59 2 door sedan. All I did was drill 4 new holes above the mounting holes already in the radiator , which lowered the rad enough to clear the hood. Not sure how the 59 hood compares to a 57, the front section  of a 59 hood looks "taller", but the bar between the upper grill section and the hood is also much thinner.

[Contibob]

Mine is a V8. If it is mount lower by drilling new mount holes, do the auto trans lines still mount up? Mine on the original radiator are pretty close to the cross member already.

[RICH MUISE]

New lines on mine, but no issues.

[Contibob]

Thanks for the responses. People on this site are always very helpful.

[59meteor]

I have a 4 speed manual in my 59, but the cooler lines should be OK. My car is also using a V8 style radiator, so it is fairly close to the engine, using the factory V8 mounting location. I set the rad in place, with the lower tank resting on the frame crossmember, with about a 1/4" thick piece of cardboard in between, then I measured where to drill the new holes in the radiators mounting flanges.