The 1961 Checker Aerobus has 56 cooling system parts with verified fitment on this page — 7 part types and 11 brands, covering both the 3.7L 226cid L6 and the 5.2L 318cid V8. Each part includes a manufacturer part number and application notes.
On the 1961 Checker Aerobus, the cooling system system keeps operating temperature in the narrow band the engine was designed for, from radiator and water pump to thermostat and hoses. Most of the listed parts are Thermostat (17 parts), Coolant / Antifreeze (15 parts) and Radiator Hose (8 parts). The other 4 part types cover the remaining 16 parts.
The 1961 Checker Aerobus was sold with both the 3.7L 226cid L6 and the 5.2L 318cid V8. 15 parts fit every engine; the other 41 are engine-specific. Each part shows which engine(s) it fits.
11 brands supply cooling system parts for the 1961 Checker Aerobus, led by MOTORAD (15 parts), GATES (14 parts) and PEAK (7 parts), plus 8 more brands. Quality grades include Standard Replacement, Economy and Premium.
A "Popular" badge means the source catalog flagged the part as frequently chosen for the 1961 Checker Aerobus. 10 parts have it, including FVP MV5050GAL (Coolant / Antifreeze) and MOTORAD T13 (Radiator Cap). Each part number opens a page with every vehicle that part fits.
Coolant / Antifreeze
Compatible With All Colors
| Brand | Part Number | Markets | Notes | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRESTONE Fits: all 1961 Aerobus engines | AF3055 | 🇺🇸 US | Prime YellowAll Vehicles | View on Amazon |
Economy
| Brand | Part Number | Markets | Notes | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FVP Popular Fits: all 1961 Aerobus engines | MV5050GAL | 🇺🇸 US | Extended LifeAll Makes / All Models | View on Amazon |
| PRESTONE Popular Fits: all 1961 Aerobus engines | AF3100 | 🇺🇸 US | Prime Yellow - All VehiclesExtended Life | View on Amazon |
| PEAK Fits: all 1961 Aerobus engines | BQA1GAL | 🇺🇸 US | Blue Mountain Long LifeAll Vehicle | View on Amazon |
| VALVOLINE Fits: all 1961 Aerobus engines | 719009 | 🇺🇸 US | Multi-Vehicle Yellow1 Gallon | View on Amazon |
Premium
| Brand | Part Number | Markets | Notes | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRESTONE Popular Fits: all 1961 Aerobus engines | AF2100 | 🇺🇸 US | All Vehicles10yr/300k mi | View on Amazon |
| PEAK Fits: all 1961 Aerobus engines | PKP1GAL | 🇺🇸 US | All Vehicles Antifreeze1 Gallon | View on Amazon |
| PEAK Fits: all 1961 Aerobus engines | PXA1GAL | 🇺🇸 US | Global Lifetime1 Gallon | View on Amazon |
| PRESTONE Fits: all 1961 Aerobus engines | AFMAX | 🇺🇸 US | Max Universal1 Gallon | View on Amazon |
Standard Replacement
| Brand | Part Number | Markets | Notes | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FVP Fits: all 1961 Aerobus engines | GREEN5050GAL | 🇺🇸 US | Low Silicate Blend1 Gallon | View on Amazon |
| PEAK Fits: all 1961 Aerobus engines | BMA1GAL | 🇺🇸 US | Blue Mountain Conventional Green1 Gallon | View on Amazon |
| PEAK Fits: all 1961 Aerobus engines | RUA1GAL | 🇺🇸 US | Conventional Green1 Gallon | View on Amazon |
| PEAK Fits: all 1961 Aerobus engines | FFA1GAL | 🇺🇸 US | Full Force Conventional Green1 Gallon | View on Amazon |
| PEAK Fits: all 1961 Aerobus engines | SEP1GAL | 🇺🇸 US | Sierra Conventional Green Concentrate Low Toxic Option1 Gallon | View on Amazon |
| PRESTONE Fits: all 1961 Aerobus engines | AF3300 | 🇺🇸 US | Prime Conventional Green 1 Gallon | View on Amazon |
This table covers the engine coolants and antifreeze formulations specified for this cooling system. Typical signs include a rising temperature gauge, rusty or sludged coolant, or a heater that blows cold. Use the chemistry named in the notes. Mixing silicate, OAT and HOAT formulas can gel in the radiator.
15 Coolant / Antifreeze parts are listed for the 1961 Checker Aerobus, from PEAK, PRESTONE, FVP and 1 other brand. FVP MV5050GAL carries the "Popular" badge. All of them fit every engine offered in the 1961 Aerobus.
The Compatible With All Colors section lists 1 option from PRESTONE — grouped under the catalog's "Compatible With All Colors" designation — the notes column spells out what sets them apart. PRESTONE AF3055 is listed in this group.
In the Economy grade, FVP, PRESTONE, PEAK and 1 other brand supply 4 parts: the catalog's value-priced group. A representative part number is FVP MV5050GAL.
The Premium section lists 4 options from PRESTONE and PEAK — a step above OE specification in materials, tolerances or warranty terms. PRESTONE AF2100 is listed in this group.
The Standard Replacement section lists 6 options from PEAK, FVP and PRESTONE — built to original-equipment specification. FVP GREEN5050GAL is listed in this group.
Cooling System Tester Adapter
| Brand | Part Number | Markets | Notes | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GATES Fits: 3.7L 226cid L6 | 31413 | 🇺🇸 US | Cooling System PressureRadiator Cap | View on Amazon |
| MOTORAD Fits: 3.7L 226cid L6 | 3003 | 🇺🇸 US | StandardIncluded In Tester Kit | View on Amazon |
This table covers the adapters used to pressure-test this cooling system.
2 Cooling System Tester Adapter parts are listed for the 1961 Checker Aerobus, from GATES and MOTORAD.
Part numbers include GATES 31413 and MOTORAD 3003.
Radiator Cap
Locking Replacement
| Brand | Part Number | Markets | Notes | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GATES Fits: 3.7L 226cid L6 | 31511 | 🇺🇸 US | Safety Release Radiator Cap | View on Amazon |
| MOTORAD Fits: 3.7L 226cid L6 | ST13 | 🇺🇸 US | Safety Lever | View on Amazon |
Standard Replacement
| Brand | Part Number | Markets | Notes | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOTORAD Popular Fits: 3.7L 226cid L6 | T13 | 🇺🇸 US | Standard | View on Amazon |
| GATES Fits: 3.7L 226cid L6 | 31527 | 🇺🇸 US | OE Type | View on Amazon |
| SKP Fits: 3.7L 226cid L6 | SK10229 | 🇺🇸 US | Pressure Rating 13 psi | View on Amazon |
This table covers the caps that hold system pressure at the radiator or reservoir neck. Typical signs include a leak at the neck, a cap that will not hold pressure, or a missing tether. Match the pressure rating or thread in the notes — radiator, reservoir and fuel caps are not interchangeable.
5 Radiator Cap parts are listed for the 1961 Checker Aerobus, from GATES, MOTORAD and SKP. MOTORAD T13 carries the "Popular" badge.
The Locking Replacement section lists 2 options from GATES and MOTORAD — grouped under the catalog's "Locking Replacement" designation — the notes column spells out what sets them apart. GATES 31511 is listed in this group.
The Standard Replacement section: 3 options from MOTORAD, GATES and SKP. MOTORAD T13 is listed in this group.
Listed part numbers: MOTORAD T13, GATES 31511 and MOTORAD ST13, plus the other parts above.
Radiator Hose
Economy
| Brand | Part Number | Markets | Notes | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GATES Popular Fits: 3.7L 226cid L6 | 25478 | 🇺🇸 US | Flexible | View on Amazon |
| ACDELCO Fits: 3.7L 226cid L6 | 31637 | 🇺🇸 US 🇨🇦 CA | Gold / ProfessionalFlexible | View on Amazon |
| ACDELCO Fits: 3.7L 226cid L6 | 31634 | 🇺🇸 US 🇨🇦 CA | Gold / ProfessionalFlexible | View on Amazon |
| GATES Fits: 3.7L 226cid L6 | 25474 | 🇺🇸 US | Flexible | View on Amazon |
Standard Replacement
| Brand | Part Number | Markets | Notes | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GATES Popular Fits: 3.7L 226cid L6 | 21794 | 🇺🇸 US | Molded | View on Amazon |
| ACDELCO Fits: 3.7L 226cid L6 | 22007M | 🇺🇸 US 🇨🇦 CA | Professional / GoldMolded | View on Amazon |
| ACDELCO Fits: 3.7L 226cid L6 | 24238L | 🇺🇸 US 🇨🇦 CA | Professional / GoldMolded | View on Amazon |
| GATES Fits: 3.7L 226cid L6 | 20230 | 🇺🇸 US | Molded | View on Amazon |
This table covers the upper, lower and connecting hoses between radiator, engine and reservoir. Typical signs include swelling, cracks, a soft spot, or a leak at a clamp. Replace adjacent aged hoses while the system is drained — they share the same heat cycle.
8 Radiator Hose parts for the 1961 Checker Aerobus come from 2 brands — GATES and ACDELCO. The "Popular" part is GATES 25478.
The Economy section: 4 options from GATES and ACDELCO. GATES 25478 is listed in this group.
Standard Replacement: 4 parts, from GATES and ACDELCO. A representative part number is GATES 21794.
Listed part numbers: GATES 25478, ACDELCO 31637 and ACDELCO 31634, plus the other parts above.
Thermostat
Economy
| Brand | Part Number | Markets | Notes | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GATES Fits: 3.7L 226cid L6 | 33508 | 🇺🇸 US | Economy | View on Amazon |
| GATES Fits: 3.7L 226cid L6 | 33509 | 🇺🇸 US | Economy | View on Amazon |
| MOTORAD Fits: 3.7L 226cid L6 | 300160 | 🇺🇸 US | Economy | View on Amazon |
| MOTORAD Fits: 3.7L 226cid L6 | 300180 | 🇺🇸 US | Economy | View on Amazon |
Heavy Duty
| Brand | Part Number | Markets | Notes | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOTORAD Fits: 3.7L 226cid L6 | 5200160 | 🇺🇸 US | Ultra Stat | View on Amazon |
| MOTORAD Fits: 3.7L 226cid L6 | 5200180 | 🇺🇸 US | Ultra Stat | View on Amazon |
Performance
| Brand | Part Number | Markets | Notes | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOTORAD Popular Fits: 3.7L 226cid L6 | 2000160 | 🇺🇸 US | High Flow | View on Amazon |
| MOTORAD Popular Fits: 3.7L 226cid L6 | 2000180 | 🇺🇸 US | High Flow | View on Amazon |
| MOTORAD Fits: 3.7L 226cid L6 | MRD100 | 🇺🇸 US | Racing Thermostat | View on Amazon |
Premium
| Brand | Part Number | Markets | Notes | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOTORAD Fits: 3.7L 226cid L6 | 7200180 | 🇺🇸 US | Fail-Safe | View on Amazon |
| MOTORAD Fits: 3.7L 226cid L6 | 7200160 | 🇺🇸 US | Fail-Safe | View on Amazon |
Standard Replacement
| Brand | Part Number | Markets | Notes | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOTORAD Popular Fits: 3.7L 226cid L6 | 200195 | 🇺🇸 US | Standard | View on Amazon |
| MOTORAD Popular Fits: 3.7L 226cid L6 | 200180 | 🇺🇸 US | Standard | View on Amazon |
| GATES Fits: 3.7L 226cid L6 | 33009 | 🇺🇸 US | OE Type | View on Amazon |
| GATES Fits: 3.7L 226cid L6 | 33006 | 🇺🇸 US | OE Type | View on Amazon |
| GATES Fits: 3.7L 226cid L6 | 33008 | 🇺🇸 US | OE Type | View on Amazon |
| MOTORAD Fits: 3.7L 226cid L6 | 200160 | 🇺🇸 US | Standard | View on Amazon |
This table covers the thermostats that open the coolant circuit at the specified temperature. Typical signs include slow warm-up, a gauge that climbs in traffic, or heat that never quite arrives. Replace the housing gasket with the thermostat and bleed the system so a trapped air pocket does not cook the new part.
17 Thermostat parts for the 1961 Checker Aerobus come from 2 brands — MOTORAD and GATES. The "Popular" part is MOTORAD 2000160.
The Economy section: 4 options from GATES and MOTORAD. GATES 33508 is listed in this group.
In the Heavy Duty grade, MOTORAD supplies 2 parts: rated for severe service. A representative part number is MOTORAD 5200160.
The Performance section lists 3 options from MOTORAD — engineered beyond original-equipment specification. MOTORAD 2000160 is listed in this group.
Premium: 2 parts, from MOTORAD. A representative part number is MOTORAD 7200180.
Standard Replacement: 6 parts, from MOTORAD and GATES. A representative part number is MOTORAD 200195.
Thermostat / Thermostat Housing / Water Outlet Seal
| Brand | Part Number | Markets | Notes | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FEL-PRO Fits: 3.7L 226cid L6 | 1273 | 🇺🇸 US | Water Outlet Seal | View on Amazon |
| FEL-PRO Fits: 5.2L 318cid V8 | 35063 | 🇺🇸 US | 2-1/2 (In) Inside DiameterWater Outlet Seal | View on Amazon |
| GATES Fits: 3.7L 226cid L6 | 34030 | 🇺🇸 US | Thermostat Gasket - 3 1/4" x 3 1/2" Gasket Material | View on Amazon |
| GATES Fits: 3.7L 226cid L6 | 33635 | 🇺🇸 US | Thermostat Gasket - 4" x 6" Gasket Material | View on Amazon |
| MAHLE / CLEVITE Fits: 5.2L 318cid V8 | C25487 | 🇺🇸 US | Paper | View on Amazon |
| VICTOR REINZ Fits: 5.2L 318cid V8 | 711353100 | 🇺🇸 US | 2-1/2 IN I.D.with 2 Bolt Holes | View on Amazon |
This table covers the seals at the thermostat housing and water outlet. Typical signs include a wet housing, a drip after sitting, or fluid flung off a rotating shaft. Fix the surface the seal rides on. A new seal on a grooved shaft will leak again.
6 Thermostat / Thermostat Housing / Water Outlet Seal parts are listed for the 1961 Checker Aerobus, from FEL-PRO, GATES, MAHLE / CLEVITE and 1 other brand.
This group includes FEL-PRO 1273, FEL-PRO 35063 and GATES 34030 and the remaining parts above.
Water Pump Gasket
| Brand | Part Number | Markets | Notes | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FEL-PRO Fits: 5.2L 318cid V8 | 6584 | 🇺🇸 US | To Block | View on Amazon |
| MAHLE / CLEVITE Fits: 5.2L 318cid V8 | K27556 | 🇺🇸 US | Paper | View on Amazon |
| VICTOR REINZ Fits: 5.2L 318cid V8 | 711466700 | 🇺🇸 US | View on Amazon |
This table covers the gaskets between the water pump and the block or housing. Typical signs include seepage at the joint, a burnt-oil smell, or a leak that appears only after a long drive. Clean both flanges and torque in the sequence the notes or the manual call for.
3 Water Pump Gasket parts are listed for the 1961 Checker Aerobus, from FEL-PRO, MAHLE / CLEVITE and VICTOR REINZ.
Part numbers include FEL-PRO 6584, MAHLE / CLEVITE K27556 and VICTOR REINZ 711466700.
Buying Cooling System Parts for a 1961 Checker Aerobus
On this vehicle, the cooling system system keeps operating temperature in the narrow band the engine was designed for, from radiator and water pump to thermostat and hoses.
- Match the engine first. Some cooling system parts fit every engine; others are engine-specific. Each row shows which engine(s) it fits.
- Read the notes on each row for position, trim and spec qualifiers before you order.
- Where labor overlaps, replace the thermostat and refill with fresh coolant whenever you change a water pump or radiator; original hoses on an older vehicle are on borrowed time.
- Cross-reference the manufacturer part number against your old part or a service-manual listing.
Start with the largest groups on this page: Thermostat and Coolant / Antifreeze .
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cooling system parts fit the 1961 Checker Aerobus?
Our catalog currently lists 56 cooling system parts for the 1961 Checker Aerobus across 7 subcategories and 11 brands, covering both the 3.7L 226cid L6 and the 5.2L 318cid V8. Each part is matched to the engine(s) it fits.
Do cooling system parts differ between 1961 Checker Aerobus engines?
Some do. 15 parts fit every engine; the other 41 are engine-specific. Each row (and the filter at the top) shows which. If you're unsure which engine you have, check the emissions label under the hood or the 8th character of your VIN.
What are the signs of cooling system problems on a 1961 Checker Aerobus?
Common symptoms include a rising temperature gauge in traffic, sweet-smelling steam, crusty deposits around hose clamps, or a heater that blows cold. If you notice any of these, identify the affected subcategory above and cross-reference the part numbers listed.
What should I replace at the same time?
Where labor overlaps, replace the thermostat and refill with fresh coolant whenever you change a water pump or radiator; original hoses on an older vehicle are on borrowed time.
What do the market flags (US, CA, MX) on each part mean?
They show the market for which the manufacturer published application data for that part — where the vehicle was first sold, not where the part was made. If your 1961 Checker Aerobus was originally sold in the US, the safest choice is a part marked for the US market.
How do I make sure a part fits my 1961 Checker Aerobus?
First match the engine — each row shows which engine(s) the part fits. Then replace coolant with the exact specification the manufacturer calls for — mixing chemistries can gel and block small passages. The notes column carries position and trim qualifiers where they apply.
Other Parts for the 1961 Checker Aerobus
Cooling System Parts for Other Checker Aerobus Years
Switch vehicle or jump to a subcategory
Manufacturer names, model designations and part numbers are used for identification and fitment reference only. AutoFactsDB is an independent catalog and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any vehicle manufacturer displayed on this page.