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GT Hawk Radiator Upgrade (My Step by Step Process)

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  • Cool/Heat: GT Hawk Radiator Upgrade (My Step by Step Process)

    I hope this will help others out along the way. I'm going to upgrade my radiator with a new aftermarket style. The current radiator in my '62 GT Hawk is out of some brand X car and it has actually worked great over the past 25 years. It has a slight leak in it now and I don't want to correct it with Bar's Leaks at this point.

    I will give the step by step process and my experience's as they unfold here in the next few weeks.
    Jim Kaufman
    Kearney NE

    1952 2R10
    1953 Champion (sold it and still kicking myself)
    1962 GT Hawk
    1963 R3984 Avanti R1

  • #2
    I have chosen to go with this radiator from Amazon. At $157.00 and two day shipping it seems like a reasonable option. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
    Jim Kaufman
    Kearney NE

    1952 2R10
    1953 Champion (sold it and still kicking myself)
    1962 GT Hawk
    1963 R3984 Avanti R1

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by Never Enough Studebakers View Post
      I have chosen to go with this radiator from Amazon. At $157.00 and two day shipping it seems like a reasonable option. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
      The following is what appears when I go to that link; "...
      Currently unavailable.
      We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock.
      ..."
      Last edited by studegary; 03-06-2018, 08:18 PM. Reason: missing to
      Gary L.
      Wappinger, NY

      SDC member since 1968
      Studebaker enthusiast much longer

      Comment


      • #5
        This is what I settled on...due to the much better looking top tank...
        Attached Files

        Comment


        • #6
          Tony, what's the site and part no. for yours?
          Thanks. Dan

          Comment


          • #7
            Dan...http://www.kksmotorsports.com/show.asp?id=698


            This is where I got mine...https://www.ebay.com/itm/KKS-3-ROW-A...Jaa0q1&vxp=mtr
            Last edited by 345 DeSoto; 03-07-2018, 06:27 AM.

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            • #8
              I would go with 345 Desoto's pick as the inlet is nearer to the side of the tank where the shroud will not get in the way. I would bet you would have issues with that otherwise.

              Comment


              • #9
                Its quite possible there will be a issues with outlet location. 345 DeSoto, what car did you put this radiator in? And did you have shroud issues?
                Jim Kaufman
                Kearney NE

                1952 2R10
                1953 Champion (sold it and still kicking myself)
                1962 GT Hawk
                1963 R3984 Avanti R1

                Comment


                • #10
                  I installed it in my 56 Sky Hawk. I also dispensed with the Stock shroud and fan blade, and used the electric fan and attached shroud from a PT Cruiser. Beautiful fit, and MORE than just adequate cooling. Until I also installed a thermostatically controlled on/off switch, it over cooled. I also used the STOCK upper and lower radiator hoses...for the 56 Sky Hawk...

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                  • #11
                    345 Desoto, Now if you would have gone the route and used the original fan, do you think the fan would have hit or been very close to the core? I see the radiator you went with compared to mine is thicker. Can you post a picture of your set up?
                    Jim Kaufman
                    Kearney NE

                    1952 2R10
                    1953 Champion (sold it and still kicking myself)
                    1962 GT Hawk
                    1963 R3984 Avanti R1

                    Comment


                    • #12
                      The Stock fan is nowhere near the aluminum radiator. However, with out the Stock shroud, the Stock 4 blade fan would be pretty much useless, not being able to draw enough air through the radiator. Since I didn't get a radiator with car, I was pretty skeptical that the new radiator was installed correctly ("tilted", which is in fact correct.). I went ahead and installed the PT cruiser fan, with built in shroud, and fired the engine. Everything works great, however, with out the thermostatic switch the fan stayed on (key on) and over cooled the engine. I installed a 190 degree switch, which cured the over-cooling situation. Unfortunately I'm in FL until the end of April, and I won't be able to Post any pictures till then.

                      Comment


                      • #13
                        Originally posted by Never Enough Studebakers View Post
                        I hope this will help others out along the way. I'm going to upgrade my radiator with a new aftermarket style. The current radiator in my '62 GT Hawk is out of some brand X car and it has actually worked great over the past 25 years. It has a slight leak in it now and I don't want to correct it with Bar's Leaks at this point .
                        My '62 has the exact same problem and I was thinking of doing the same thing. You ask about fan to radiator clearance with the stock fan. On mine with the stock radiator, shroud and fan, there is several inches clearance between the fan and radiator. A radiator twice as thick as any of these mentioned would easilly fit with no problem clearing the stock fan.

                        Comment


                        • #14
                          Well I got the radiator fabricated to fit in the Hawk. I made new brackets to support the radiator. Next step is getting the shroud fitted, its not the original shroud and it has been hacked on already. Hope to get that done in the next few days.

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                          Jim Kaufman
                          Kearney NE

                          1952 2R10
                          1953 Champion (sold it and still kicking myself)
                          1962 GT Hawk
                          1963 R3984 Avanti R1

                          Comment


                          • #15
                            Conclusion: This fits very nice in the 62 Hawk. I didn't have the original radiator brackets so new ones were made. So far the temp is running at 160 degrees with a 180 thermostat.
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                            Jim Kaufman
                            Kearney NE

                            1952 2R10
                            1953 Champion (sold it and still kicking myself)
                            1962 GT Hawk
                            1963 R3984 Avanti R1

                            Comment

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