1987 pup 2.3 radiator

[almostatruck]

I have been having a fit trying to find a radiator for my gasser. Some backstory, I bought the truck a decade ago with less than 40K on it. It has always been apparent that it was in a collision as a fan imprint is embedded in the radiator fins and other tells. At 80k I am ready to change the timing belt and water pump. Because the heater core failed a few years ago and a consistent phantom coolant leak (on my gravel driveway) may as well replace the radiator. None are available anywhere, so I went with a duralast a1129 from auto zone for sub $200. This two core model is for the 90-95 model pups. So I dug into the timing belt and water pump on short order upon assembly the radiator is an inch taller and the mounting bracket is wider. I removed the grille and marked the radiator and step drilled new holes using the tailgate as a workbench. Hooked everything up and burped the system installed the pressure valve cap and surprise! The hood won't latch. I took the old timing belt idler and squared it over the fill neck and smacked it with a hammer to give a little clearance. Installed a new round radiator cap and life is good. Bonus, the fan shroud bolts on the new radiator.