The metal side straps are different on the A, the different years B/E and C-body (and many pickups) than the metal side straps used on FMJ's. If you still have the original radiator, then a person can get the metal side straps taken off and re-soldered onto another brass radiator of same size. The radiators Chrysler used on all FMJ's are all brass (top/bottom tank and core) with steel side straps soldered on. 26” wide radiator was used for most all Chrysler vehicles – with an option of 18, 19, 20 or 22” versions. The smaller radiators (typically /6 or cars without A/C) uses wider side straps (which are also different between the 18, 19, 20 or 22” variants).
The red arrows point to metal side straps. The purple lines show where they are soldered on, at.
What I'm saying is if a person has a leaky 26” FMJ radiator and can't get it fixed, not all is lost. Find another (non leaky) Chrysler with a 26” wide radiator (any year) and take to a radiator shop to get the side straps replaced. It is a 15 minute job (if that long) and you are good to go.
Now with that said, The upper and lower radiator hose necks are in different locations (Left or Right side on top and Left or Right side on bottom). Also manual transmission radiators typically do not have the transmission cooler/heater in them – which can be a problem if trying to install one on an automatic car. Putting a automatic transmission radiator into a manual car (or converting car to manual transmission) is a non-issue.
Many of the Chrysler radiators used in late '60's and '70's can have a 3 or 4 core radiator (high performance, A/C and/or have towing package installed) – which are wonderful ones to use (but are also thicker (front to rear)).
Most well optioned B-bodys, most C-bodies and most H/D pickups (all made in the '70's) came with nice thick (multi-core) radiators – that will fit once side straps are transferred over
On upper/lower neck locations. (With the exception of /6's), all '69 and older Chrysler vehicles all had the lower neck going to Left/drivers side of radiator. The upper neck depended on if vehicle had A/C or not (if Left or Right upper neck location). '70 Chrysler changed the neck location for lower neck to Right/passenger side on small blocks and a couple years later for big blocks. The upper neck location still depended of car had A/C or not. /6 cars (all years) all had the lower neck at same location, but upper neck location also depended on if car had A/C or not.
The point is when looking for a radiator, be sure to note the neck (upper and lower) locations on your existing radiator and compare to a possible replacement. If you find one that matches (from any '60ish to '93ish rear wheel drive Chrysler product) then you can most likely use it if re-using your existing side straps.
Now getting back to non-FMJ radiators that are a direct fit to FMJ's are many (but not all) '80-93 Dodge pickups. Some have said to check the size of the hose necks (diameter being larger) – but I hadn't ran into any problems with neck size before. If you get one with a wider neck than your FMJ uses, then just get new hoses that fit the '80-93 pickup and trim to fit.
Aftermarket aluminum radiators (or aluminum/plastic) are a different story. The side straps on them are welded in place and are not easy to make fit. One for a '80-93 pickup "should" fit into an FMJ – but I hadn't tried one.
Note; a '26 FMJ radiator doesn't fit in place of one with a 18, 19, 20 or 22” radiator without replacing the core support plates (ie: cutting/welding) or a lot fabricating to make fit. Then you also have a smaller hole to contend with, as far as air flow is concerned. I plan on getting 26” core support plates to install into my '77 wagon before I get the big block tossed in.
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My '77 wagon has a 18” wide radiator (no A/C car). The white lines are to compare where existing radiator side is vs that of a 26” wide radiator. The red arrow is the core support bracket I plan on changing out.
A fellow forum members car. He made brackets to convert his 22” wide (I suspect) radiator to a 26”. This will push the radiator closer to the water pump a tad. He still has a problem of the air entry hole being smaller (if that is a concern to you).
I hope this helps,
BudW