94 350 radiator into 98 350

First post, only place I think I could get a straight answer on my question, I own a 1998 k1500 5.7L with Hd towing package, recently got in a wreck that totaled the core support, radiator, and ac condenser. I’ve since replaced the parts but in an attempt to be cheap because of low funds I bought a rad from a 1994 k1500 5.7l. Tranny cooler lines are not the same size I’m wondering what the best route to fix is do I just get an adapter and if so what size adapter would I need?

zaxxh said:

1998 k1500 5.7L with Hd towing package

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zaxxh said:

I bought a rad from a 1994 k1500 5.7l.

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"From" as in a used radiator? Or "For" meaning a new but incorrect radiator?

Is this rad the same size/thickness as the one that was in your truck?

Are the fittings in the replacement radiator the same style as the original, just a different size? And if so, I'm guessing the new radiator has smaller fittings which would restrict cooler flow. Not an ideal situation, especially for a truck that "tows".

zaxxh said:

Tranny cooler lines are not the same size I’m wondering what the best route to fix is do I just get an adapter and if so what size adapter would I need?

Click to expand...

IF the radiator is actually suitable for your vehicle, you could adapt the cooler tube fittings to suit the new radiator. This assumes that you can find adapters that fit both the radiator side, and the cooler tubes.

Now would be a good time to describe the fittings on both the cooler tubes and the radiator. If you don't know what they're called, proper photos, in-focus and nicely cropped, would be useful.

Schurkey said:

"From" as in a used radiator? Or "For" meaning a new but incorrect radiator?

Is this rad the same size/thickness as the one that was in your truck?

Are the fittings in the replacement radiator the same style as the original, just a different size? And if so, I'm guessing the new radiator has smaller fittings which would restrict cooler flow. Not an ideal situation, especially for a truck that "tows".


IF the radiator is actually suitable for your vehicle, you could adapt the cooler tube fittings to suit the new radiator. This assumes that you can find adapters that fit both the radiator side, and the cooler tubes.

Now would be a good time to describe the fittings on both the cooler tubes and the radiator. If you don't know what they're called, proper photos, in-focus and nicely cropped, would be useful.

Click to expand...

New replacement radiator is used from a 1994, it’s the exact same size and thickness as the original rad, just had improper tranny cooler lines. Ended up just taking the passenger side tank off the original radiator and putting it on the used/ new to me radiator, don’t know how well it will work in terms of cooling transfer fluid but I have the auxiliary trans cooler from factory as well as the trans cooler in rad so I think it’ll be enough for short term