[70 nialator]

Just thought I’d share some of my experiences and pics all in one place with part numbers and a little how to……. I’d also like to thank everyone here that helped me along the way.

Before: 3 hole top plate, 21 inch wide copper core radiator.. with electric fans taken from an LT1 Camaro. Temps exceeded 220 often.

After: 4 hole top plate, 29 inch wide Aluminum radiator and the things below…. I couldn’t get it to 190 no matter how hard I flogged it, 102 outside temp.

Parts list:
• 4 Hole chrome top plate Ebay = 20.00
• 19 inch XT1 -7 blade fan - U pull it = 10.00
• Hayden 2747 HD clutch = 49.99
• Murray 433322 -29 in wide, 18 inch tall Aluminum radiator (specs on their website are jacked up, trust me it drops right in) I paid = 140.00, Listed at 159.00 right now.
• Shroud 1971 BB (one piece) from Summit OPG-00T218R = 59.95
• Upper hose Gates 21204 15.00
• Lower hose 21324 lower 12.00

Total 307.00, rounding up.

I gained a brand new free flowing aluminum radiator with 8 extra inches in overall width and a car that I can’t get to run over 190 with it being 102 outside.

There are actually 4 perch spots on the core support for different configurations. 29 inches being the widest.....

Then I welded the 3 holes shut on the top of the support and welded in 4 new mounting points for the MUCH wider 4 hole top plate.

Then I cut over 5 inchs out of the driver side of the core support...

 

[70 nialator]

CONTINUED:

The rest dropped right in

 

[OH VELLE]

Hey nice work Darren! Thanks for the pics & info, I'm gonna be going through the same process later this year going from a small to big block. Trying to decide if I want the front runner system and then finding a reverse 7 blade clutch fan. Putting a lot of thought into all that SWHEATON has been posting in the cooling issue threads.

 

[70 nialator]

Thanks Skip, if you are going from a 3 to 4 hole top plate please take note that it’s NOT centered on the core support. . It’s actually off to the driver side about 2 inches. I would suggest re-positioning the lower rubber perches, setting the new radiator in place and positioning the top plate on the new radiator to make the marks for your 4 new holes.

EDIT: and Scott is really passionate about cooling and from what I can tell a cool guy….. the stuff works!

 

[SWHEATON]

GREAT NEWS!

I told you the clutch fan setup with hd fan clutch ,160 stat,proper shroud & proper type clutch fan would do the trick.

I bet you would have got almost as good a result with the old rad but new rad is definitely good too esp since you don't have much invested for great cooling like I tell everyone that setup gives you.

The lrg 7 blade clutch fan,new hd thermal fan clutch,proper shroud and new rad are what collectively reduced your temps from 220ish to max of 190 which is great .

You didn't list the stat your running,i bet its a 180 stat since it maxes out at 190 deg ,180 stat try autozones 15356/160 hi flow stat because I bet it will reduce your current 190 max temp to 180 ish which is what happens every time I have done gone from the 180 hi flow autozone stat to the 160 stat with the cooling system setup I rec you run when in hot summer temps.

BTW,Now what do you think of elec fans?

Scott

 

[70 nialator]

Well Scott you were right.. and your question above is kind of loaded. (Maybe, and probably not intentionally)

I think there are probably some 1000.00+ setup’s with electronic fans that will cool a car like mine effectively. BUT… taking into consideration, aesthetics, functionality, and PRICE….. For 1/3 of that or less I got where I needed to be, and I’m happy with that.

Edit, I’m running a 160 stat without the 2 extra holes…..

Edit again: It should also be noted that when I say flogged I mean multiple sets of tires in one day. Not your average …. Oh, I did a burn out… Something’s I expect to last.. Others I don’t.

 

[SWHEATON]

Well Scott you were right.. and your question above is kind of loaded. (Maybe, and probably not intentionally)

I think there are probably some 1000.00+ setup’s with electronic fans that will cool a car like mine effectively. BUT… taking into consideration, aesthetics, functionality, and PRICE….. For 1/3 of that or less I got where I needed to be, and I’m happy with that.

Edit, I’m running a 160 stat without the 2 extra holes…..

Edit again: It should also be noted that when I say flogged I mean multiple sets of tires in one day. Not your average …. Oh, I did a burn out… Something’s I expect to last.. Others I don’t.

============

LOL!!!

Sounds like fun!

Have a great summer cruising with confidence your motors not going to be running hot anymore like it used to with the old cooling system.

Scott

 

[BillsCamino]

Good stuff!! :thumbsup:
I'll soon be converting to a 4 bolt plate and 4 row core radiator after installing Vintage A/C.
Got most of those items on hand already.

 

[70 nialator]

Bill please let me know how that vintage air works out for you, PM me or post here, whatever…. Probably my next mod

 

[70 nialator]

Omaha, NE to Waverly and back, first car show of 2013 (unfinished, primer class) 80 miles round trip, took her over 100 mph twice... never went above 165 (high was 72 degrees)

 

[rel3rd]

I cannot find that radiator anywhere locally for less than about $275-$300.

One place on Ebay has it for $176 but doesn't offer insurance on it while being shipped...

 

[BillsCamino]

I cannot find that radiator anywhere locally for less than about $275-$300.

One place on Ebay has it for $176 but doesn't offer insurance on it while being shipped...

O'Reillys got them for $159...probably a little less if ya know someone at the counter.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/d...ck=Search_01386_1213423_-1&pt=01386&ppt=C0331

 

[rel3rd]

hmmm, when I check that link, it comes up at $189.99??

Unfortunately, there are no O'Reilly's in Maryland, or within 100 miles of me. Maybe I'll see about getting one shipped, or just see if Summit can price match it.

 

[BillsCamino]

That is strange...

 

[70 nialator]

Maybe you can print this off or screen shot it to help you in your price matching.
(You can also see how the listed specs are completely backwards)

Trust me, I measured it twice

 

[rel3rd]

I figured out what was happening.
"MY STORE" was listed as "online store", which evidently by default gives the $189.99 price. I entered a random Geogia store as "MY STORE" and the $159 price came up.

Put it in "MY CART" and it stayed at $159, so being that they offer FREE SHIPPING with purchase over $75 or $100 (one or the other), I went ahead and ordered it...:hurray:

Thanks guys! I already have a 4 row Harrison that does pretty good with the other cooling mods, but I'd consider a brand new bolt-in aluminum radiator an upgrade. :thumbsup:

 

[70 nialator]

That’s awesome Bob, please be advised you will also need the hoses I listed. One more note, the radiator comes with a rubber adaptor (on either the inlet outlet, sorry, can’t remember getting old) just remove it and toss it.. It’s not used in our application. (at least not with a SBC anyway) It will also absolutely not work with a 3 hole top plate.

I’d love to hear how it works out for you. I couldn’t be happier; I can actually DRIVE my car now and watch the road instead of staring at the damn temperature gauge all the time

 

[rel3rd]

I already have the 4 bolt plate because I have a big block.So I am hoping that the hoses I have will work. It arrived today so I will update by the end of the weekend...hopefully by tomorrow evening.

 

[rel3rd]

Finally swapped the radiator out....on a big block car it is a direct bolt in with no new hoses or mods needed.

Didn't get to drive it due to monsoon like rain here, but I actually can feel more air being drawn through the front of the grill area.

 

[70 nialator]

That’s awesome! Lots of great information here, I spent about 3 weeks researching all this. Not sure what constitutes a sticky but I hope this will continue to help others :beers: