Guys swapped out the 327 and in a 500HP 396...the radiator from the sb looks brand new...can I use it without any major issues? Any ideas?

try it, and if it can't keep up you can always upgrade.

I use a Desert Cooler in my 67 (489 stroker) with no cooling issues (unless I have to sit in a parade for 2 hours in 90* heat on the 4th of July). With a 180* thermostat it runs at 195* all day long. Pound it hard and it'll go up to 210 and then right back down.

I got my radiator from Quanta (gastanks.com) at a good price. I had the unit over a year before I opened the box to install it and found a bracket welded a little crooked. They coordinated with U.S. Radiator (the mfg) who honored the warranty by replacing the unit at no cost to me. Can't beat that customer service. If I was going to go aluminum, I'd call Alumitech, a sponsor and member of this forum. He knows chevelles and his products ar high quality.

OK guess I will try the old one and see how it goes before dropping $600 or more on a new one...just wondering if I'm wasting my time on it. Did the put the same radiators in sb and bb?

In my 69, originally a 350 car with A/C, I bought a new 3-row Modine several years ago specific to that application, and it worked fine. I just swapped the 350 out for a mild 496, and so far the 3-row Modine is doing fine with the big block. I think its worth your time to at least try the SB radiator before spending any money on a new one.

Cool Mike that's what I needed to hear...OK will try it guess I got nothing to lose. Thanks much.

OK guess I will try the old one and see how it goes before dropping $600 or more on a new one...just wondering if I'm wasting my time on it. Did the put the same radiators in sb and bb?

If you don't want to drop that much $$$ into a radiator, the desert cooler is a nice option (as Herb had mentioned). I ran a desert cooler in a '67 Firebird 400 ragtop and had no cooling issues with my BB Poncho motor. Desert coolers are pretty reasonable for the money.

If your car came with ac its a factory 3 core and should be enough but if it didnt then the little stock one wont do it

Don't know what year you are working on , but be sure a good tight shroud and an adequate fan is in place and you will likely have good cooling function. A "Water Wetter" type additive will help some too.

No my car didn't have AC in it. I don't think the one I took out was stock it looks brand new. Don't know how many cores it has but going to try is as some here has suggested and if I have to replace it guess it is what it is but think it's worth trying. Thanks for all the input guys.

I have a stock 2 core rad, SB shroud, clutch fan. 600HP here, runs 180-190. I do have an Edel. HV pump and high flow stat - doubt those things make a big difference though.

Good info Vince thanks...will get a hv pump for sure andd stat and give it a try!

I'm actually looking for a reason to go with an alumin. rad....but I just can't find one at this point!

OK I am at the point to put the radiator in. It is a 3 core and I have no ac so think it was replaced not too long ago and looks new. I am running a short water pump on the big block. Questions are...seems there is a metal shroud type of thing that the radiator originally bolted onto...but i am running out of room...is that a small block thing and I should take it off, bolt the radiator in and get a big block shroud?

Also will the spacer on the nose of the water pump and the fan from the small block OK to use on the bb? Running out of room.

You need a shroud. Which one depends on what car you're talking about. BB & SB used differrent shrouds, as did short vs long water pump engines. Ideally, the fan blades should wind up about half in/half out of the shroud.

If anyone is near N.E.PA we have some older rads in the basement that your welcome to look at.

We also have a radiator shop...

Guys swapped out the 327 and in a 500HP 396...the radiator from the sb looks brand new...can I use it without any major issues? Any ideas?

My factory SBC radiator is still working fine with the new 489ci BBC.

My factory SBC radiator is still working fine with the new 489ci BBC.

Thanks for the help guys...going to try the 3 core that the sb came with!