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I'm new here looking to do a Ls swap in my 72 and need help with doing the radiator any thing will help pictures would be amazing thank you

plenty on the topic. most people doing v8 swaps use a 19x22 aftermarket aluminum radiator there is a list of the available ones. not positive on the in and outlet location difference between the small block and the ls series tho

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Luvless
1980 Mikado-Sold.

1993 Lexus SC400 my Daily
2004 Yamaha WR250F my new love in life
2016 Toyota Camry my girls ride

Ok cool I'll see what I can find Im looking for clear pics of install I've seen the v8 swap sheet but that diagram isn't very clear so just to get a better look on how every had done it

there are a few ways to do it, on mine I left the upper core support intact, widened out the radiator opening and welded the edges back in place 2" or so wider, and installed the radiator canted at an angle, and made a U shaped cup at the bottom to sit it into, but I have a 4.3 v6 so I had a little more room to play with than you v8 guys do.

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Luvless
1980 Mikado-Sold.

1993 Lexus SC400 my Daily
2004 Yamaha WR250F my new love in life
2016 Toyota Camry my girls ride

Cool did you have to cut that botton cross support out ?

here are a couple pics of mine, it may not work the same on yours since you have another pair of cylinders, any idea if the ls blocks are the same size, shorter or longer than the earlier small blocks?
didn't cut the lower part I added a couple L bracket pieces to the top with rubber so sits on the lower frame piece, you can see how much I cut out of the two sides by the holes that were split and shrunk


this is why I don't know if this will work for you there isn't a whole lot of room in front of the engine, im not sure how big an ls engine is compared to the old small block but room is pretty tight up there, luvrv8 has his smallblock in there without hacking things up as far as I know, might want to pm him for some pics


most of the v8 installs I see involve cutting into the upper support and the radiator cap sticking up thru it

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Luvless
1980 Mikado-Sold.

1993 Lexus SC400 my Daily
2004 Yamaha WR250F my new love in life
2016 Toyota Camry my girls ride

viewtopic.php?f=33&t=28778&start=20

A link to my build with some crappy pics. A LS engine is 1 inch shorter than the old sbc, so it should be an easier install...

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If you think no one cares, try missing a couple of payments...



FIAA!

SFPP!

Cool once I get the motor in ill have a better idea of the room I will have

I just measured the original radiator opening on my 1975 with a V-8 swap. It measures 18 wide by 20 inches high.
I used a Chassis Engineering and Speed swap with their radiator that fit in place of the original radiator with only slight modification. I have searched for radiator mods here and it looks like most everyone has used a 19 by 22 aluminum radiator.
This size radiator will take some extensive mods for fit.

Thanks for the pictures of these mods; they are much appreciated!

I just got back from the Turkey Run at the Daytona Beach Florida Speedway.
6500 cars and not a single Luv truck! There is a alot of walking involved in the infield.
I probably walked 10 miles and had sore feet when I left 7 hours later!
I asked at three radiator companies there. Most make stock replacement radiators for the more popular cars.
One gut said he could make me an aluminum radiator any size I wanted...for $450.00!

you should be able to get a generic radiator with houses on what ever side you need. It may be a little harder to find one with a tranny cooler in it or where you need them... I do not know about that for sure. Are you going to use a older type transmission? 350-400 thm or a 700r4? Also a computer-carb swap? A little off topic, but the tranny may have different side for the cooling. Most 350 have them on the passenger side.

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75 Luv, 350 V8, TH350, Camaro rearend. New 1975 Luv Step side. Stock for now.
Grandmaster of the "Shade Tree" way.. I can't see the yard for all the cars. Come on down and we will sit on the porch and watch the grass grow.

1975 Luv, SBC 327, Turbo 350 tranny with tranny cooler on passenger side. Narrowed 12 bolt rear 308 gears. A highwat truck.
This truck has been a V-8 since 1977. See avatar.

You can use a two pass radiator so as to put the hose oulets on the same side. This will negate the need for a longgg radiator hose.

on the 72 to 75 its best to trim it out and down to the frame. If you goto powerbyace.com, in their tech section you can see the instruction sheet which shows you how to trim the core support.

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The light at the end of the tunnel, may just be a train coming!