How to Correctly Measure a Radiator, Intercooler or Heater Core

INCORRECT WAY TO MEASURE

HEIGHT

To measure the height of the radiator assembly, you must measure from under the top of the tank header plate to the top of the bottom tank header plate.

You never measure a radiator from the top of the top tank to the bottom of the bottom tank.

WIDTH

To measure the width of the radiator core, you only measure the outside of the fins on one side or side bracket to side bracket.

The sideband is never taken into consideration when measuring the width of the core.

THICKNESS

To measure the thickness of the core, you measure from the outside of the fin to outside on the other side of that fin. Please see diagram below. Radiator cores come in a vast range of thickness ranging from 16mm to 73mm for most automotive cars, light commercial light trucks and 4WD.