1970 Chrysler 300 Radiator w/o air

[Waggy]

My radiator on my 1970 Chrysler 300 Convertible gave it up yesterday, so I purchased a new radiator today. It seems we have a 2998969-22 and a 2998968-26. One is 22" wide and the other is 26" wide. The one I took out is a 22" and the one the parts store gave me is a 26". The hole for the rad is 23" . My car also has an extra tranny cooler that comes off of the rad and attached in front of the rad.

One part of me says the bigger the better and keep it simple! Get rid of the extra tranny cooler and go with the bigger rad.

The other part of me says to get a 22" one, install it and leave the extra tranny cooler. I have had it that way for 20 years so why change. I have no idea why there is the extra tranny cooler and feel it is most likely not stock, but then the new rad is not stock either!
The other option is to go with the 26" rad and do a little modifying to fit the extra tranny cooler on.

What do people think?

 

[1970cat]

26 won't fit the opening in your core support. depending on the inlet and outlet locations on the 22, it might be tough to find a factory type replacement. there are aftermarket aluminum available in 22 though

 

[Fury440]

26" rads with a shroud were used by all A/C equipped cars. The smaller 22" was used without a shroud on cars without A/C.

To properly install the 26"rad you should swap out the rad support.

The extra oil cooler maybe a PO addition or possibly the result of a HD trailer towing option. In any case I'd keep the extra cooler since transmissions don't like heat.