I've installed a 502 crater motor in my 70 el camino,and its got a cooling problem. I'm running a griffin aluminum radiater, which is about 4" narrower than the stock one, i've installed (for awhile)a mark 5111 fan, plus my trans cooler sits about 5" in front of radiater, its about 10"x15". Could that along with the narrower radiater be the problem to running hot?. Should i replace the radiater with one thats the same size as stock, or relocate the trans cooler, or both? Its only a problem, when cruising ultra slow

You really haven't given us enough total information on your situation. Does your engine overheat when idling and slow speeds? Does it cool down after you get moving. If so, usually this means that you do not have enough airflow through the radiator. How hot does it get? How much amperage does the fan that you are running take? Ampereage is a good barometer of what kind of work the fan is capable in moving air.

Radiator thickness per se has nothing to do with radiator efficiency. For example, Griffin aluminum radiators with 1.25" tubed dual rows are far more efficient that a thicker copper-brass-solder unit that is a 4 or 5 row, 1/4" tubed unit, which is thicker!

Go and read my cooling article at www.inccn.net/techforum.htm (http://www.inccn.net/techforum.htm) for more information on your cooling issues. If you answer the questions above and give more information I would be glad to help. I have solved hundreds of cooling problems and design systems for street rods and performance cars.

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Steve Jack - ConceptOne Pulleys and Brackets / Engineering & Marketing Technologies

[This message has been edited by HOTRODSRJ (edited 02-06-2002).]

Hey Rich, can you define a 'cooling problem'? Not to offend but just curious what temperatures you are seeing because our 502's should be at or around 200-210 degrees to make maximum power.

With the MarkVIII fan installed, I'm surprised that she's getting 'warmer' on you during low speeds. Is the fan wired on the high speed terminal for power? If it's on the low speed terminal, you're losing nearly half of its' CFM potential. Try the other terminal for power to see if the CFM's pick up? It's a noticeable difference.

That large tranny cooler is blocking some air as well. I also use a large B&M tranny cooler and had it positioned where your is now. I moved mine over to the left side of the radiator so as to allow more unblocked air into the MarkVIII.

The Griffin radiator I've got was literally a drop fit unit. Exact same dimensions as the stocker and it fits perfect. I bought mine about 3.5 years ago now and don't know if they still make them or not so that could be why you have a smaller unit.

Other areas to consider include ignition timing, underdriven crankshaft pulley ratios, water pump condition, etc..

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502 Rat Infested 1970 Malibu - Gold Member #39
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