Guys, I appreciate your input, even if you are calling me a moron.
Honestly, I appreciate all you have said.
What I have is very rough car, one missing about half it's parts. I got it for next to nothing for my teenage son. We bought a Pinto motor for it. The original Alpine motor was trash without a head sitting in the rain for 10 years. The front clip has been spliced with frame rails buckled, it needs a LOT of work and will not be original. I am not butchering up a nice car, or even close to nice, it is a POS that I am going to save from the crusher.
So, I have no stock radiator to re-core. I have been offered a stock one and maybe that is the best way to go. But a small notch in the crossmember won't do a thing to harm it, it will be boxed back in and as strong as new.
I have done plenty of hot rod fabrication, heck, chopped the top on my 48 Chevy pickup 40 years ago when I was 15 years old, put a mid engine Buick 401 in it with the carb between the bucket seats when I was 19, I have done a lot of hot rod fab stuff so this isn't a big deal.
I was looking for a very simple way to get a late model radiator. I have access to them whole sale so I can get them pretty cheap. That is what I was after.
Again, I appreciate all your help guys and will continue to ask stupid questions and appreciate anything you can throw my way to help me get this car on the road. My son has been working on it and I am thrilled at teaching him if nothing else.
Brian, thanks again guys.