AC Install in a 69 Coronet R/T with a 22" radiator

[lemondana]

I'd like to add AC to my R/T, problem is, I only have a 22" radiator. Yes-my R/T originally came with the 22" 2 core radiator. I had heating problems way back in 82 after I bought it. I found a 22" 3 core rad from a 66 Monaco 383 with AC. I had this rad recored with my side brackets added and shroud. It's been great all of these years. what can I expect with the AC install? What options on upgrading. There are a few places that have hi flow 22" radiators. I'm going to use the factory AC pulleys and the smaller water pump pulley with the 6 fin water pump. I'll be installing my rebuilt engine before or at the same time. This is a highway cruiser, 2.76 rear gears and an auto. I do a lot of interstate driving. Any thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[1 Wild R/T]

Dodge Coronet, 1966-69 Radiator - US Radiator

This is a 26" radiator designed to bolt to a 22" core support...

 

[lemondana]

Dodge Coronet, 1966-69 Radiator - US Radiator

This is a 26" radiator designed to bolt to a 22" core support...

I was looking at that, anybody use one of them?

 

[lemondana]

Dodge Coronet, 1966-69 Radiator - US Radiator

This is a 26" radiator designed to bolt to a 22" core support...

Does the core support just cover the 4 inches of the radiator? I guess it would still be better that the 22" radiator.

 

[1 Wild R/T]

I was looking at that, anybody use one of them?

On my Coronet I just swapped the core support side panels when I was in the body work phase...

 

[1 Wild R/T]

Does the core support just cover the 4 inches of the radiator? I guess it would still be better that the 22" radiator.

It actually only covers a little more than an inch....

 

[lemondana]

I'm not doing any body work at the time, this is a fairly decent original car that I don't want to bother with. Where did you get them side panels?

 

[1 Wild R/T]

I'm not doing any body work at the time, this is a fairly decent original car that I don't want to bother with. Where did you get them side panels?

Local wrecking yard... At the time they had seven 68-69 B bodies... Unfortunately they recently crushed everything..

 

[493 Mike]

My 65 Coronet was factory equipped with A/C and a 22" radiator. Has a shroud and fixed blade fan.
Mike

 

[1 Wild R/T]

My 65 Coronet was factory equipped with A/C and a 22" radiator. Has a shroud and fixed blade fan.
Mike

There were no 26" radiators in 65.. So you got a 22" & hoped for the best...

 

[lemondana]

The radiator that I currantly have is from a 66 Monaco that my dad had, along with a 66 Polara, both 383 AC cars. I know he never had overheating with either one of these. And the AC blew ice cold. Those older cars that had the metal vents always seemed to be colder. I guess I can use what I have till it proves that it's not up tobthe task. I'm all ears, if anyone has any suggestions.

 

[493 Mike]

There were no 26" radiators in 65.. So you got a 22" & hoped for the best...

My point was, it was deemed adequate by Chrysler Engineering to cool the engine with A/C. I suspect you knew that.
Mike

 

[1 Wild R/T]

My point was, it was deemed adequate by Chrysler Engineering to cool the engine with A/C. I suspect you knew that.
Mike

Yes, I got that.. And in cooler climates if the 22" is good & everything else is working as it should its fine.. But don't plan any trips to Death Valley in August...

 

[493 Mike]

Yes, I got that.. And in cooler climates if the 22" is good & everything else is working as it should its fine.. But don't plan any trips to Death Valley in August...

The Death Valley trip is now ruined! Thanks for nothing!
Mike

 

[1 Wild R/T]

The Death Valley trip is now ruined! Thanks for nothing!
Mike

Well Death Valley isn't really the point... Where I live has been 105+ for three weeks... Phoenix often is 115+ With the OP living in Nebraska he'll probably be fine... It wouldn't work where I live... Back in the 60's & 70's I spent way to many hours on the side of the road nursing a hot car, I'd rather spend the $$$ & do the work before it gets to that point...

 

[lemondana]

We don't generally have temperatures much over 100, but the humidity is high enough, that when it's that hot it is miserable. I would drive the car a lot more if it had AC. This R/T has the Ramcharger hood and big oval air cleaner that when I bought it, had dealer installed air. They cut a notch out of the breather and a big hunk out of the air box. It didn't work, so I yanked it all out. Since then, I won't buy a car without factory AC.

 

[Kilrbee]

Call Bob @ Glen-Ray radiator. He makes a bracket kit to install a 26" rad into a factory 22" opening without having to cut or drill anything extra.

 

[lewtot184]

After going thru the 22" radiator thing for years I'd probably look at an aluminum with 1" tube's and 3/8" spacing. I don't like the idea of 22" and a/c but that doesn't mean you can't make it work.

 

[Some Car Guy]

How much does originality or at least the looks of such matter to you? You can stick a cheaper 26 aluminum radiator in there and not cut anything and see how that does. Going to be way cheaper than a grand for a factoryish looking one.