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Easy Aluminum Radiator Upgrade....See Pics!!
I finally had some extra time to install the Summit Radiator I purchased days ago.
I decided to make this an easy bolt on install for those of you who might not have a welder. Follow along as I explain in detail how I did this to my truck this afternoon: - - - First of all, my truck ran at a cool 180* constantly....with the original tiny sixer radiator. So running hot was never a problem, I only did this swap just for the 'cool' factor...:lol: - - Here's the stocker...Didn't look too bad though: - http://i32.tinypic.com/2ir4uuh.jpg - Drained the sucker: - http://i31.tinypic.com/143j4f9.jpg - This is the part number I went with: - http://i27.tinypic.com/jiyzrl.jpg - I decided I didn't want it the stock location, but rather flush with the radiator support: - http://i32.tinypic.com/j122a1.jpg - http://i27.tinypic.com/nxj495.jpg - I used the existing holes shown in the red circles.....behind those you can see the stock mounts: - http://i25.tinypic.com/28sbgbk.jpg - After a couple of measurements, I found I only needed a 1" lift on the radiator. - http://i28.tinypic.com/244sm7r.jpg - The material used was a 16" piece of 1x2 rectangular tubing, centered the tubing between the frame-rails and marked to holes. I used 3/8" x 1" allen head bolts. I was gonna just tack weld bolts under the tubing, but again I wanted to show a "drill and bolt" install. - http://i26.tinypic.com/5e662b.jpg - http://i30.tinypic.com/34qn30j.jpg |
Re: Easy Aluminum Radiator Upgrade....See Pics!!
I center the tubing in the frame rails...however the existing holes are 1/2" offset. Dimensions are shown at the end.
- - http://i29.tinypic.com/2zgarti.jpg - For the upper mounts, I used 5/16" stud vibration mounts. Here I drill the existing holes to 1/4", then tapped to 5/16" coarse thread. You can just drill to 5/16" then nut from behind if you wish. - http://i28.tinypic.com/11qieeb.jpg - http://i26.tinypic.com/90rdee.jpg - Dropped the radiator in place, centered it up (between the frame-rails), then marked and drilled the flange. - http://i26.tinypic.com/1zwks5k.jpg - The reason I used the 1x2, is because if fits snug in the radiator bottom, with about 3/16" clearance just enough for some rubber cushion. - http://i27.tinypic.com/scqekk.jpg - Here's some measurements: 16" long...one side is 2" in, and other side is 1 1/2" in, and 1 9/16" from the edge for your centers: - http://i27.tinypic.com/2aaknma.jpg - http://i29.tinypic.com/14nzjvd.jpg - http://i26.tinypic.com/302q2ox.jpg - http://i26.tinypic.com/30c92cp.jpg - |
Re: Easy Aluminum Radiator Upgrade....See Pics!!
I also like the fact that the radiator neck is tapped for 1/8" pipe. The connection here it a temporary connection.
- http://i32.tinypic.com/2w586sn.jpg - I need to come up with a new hose for the bottom, and rework the upper hose as well. - http://i25.tinypic.com/2pqwfnt.jpg - I think this made for a pretty easy and straight forward install. - I might throw my buffers on the bench grinder and hit up the tanks before running it...only time will tell... Later |
Re: Easy Aluminum Radiator Upgrade....See Pics!!
Well done, John. Now we need some shot of the finished product. Is there a shroud in the making?
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Re: Easy Aluminum Radiator Upgrade....See Pics!!
nice write up! thanks
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I should have it done tomorrow....Then I'll post up some more pics. I wasn't planning on a shroud...mabey just an electric fan in the near future. Quote:
No problem, man !! |
Re: Easy Aluminum Radiator Upgrade....See Pics!!
Nice John.......you'll like this radiator. I did this years ago.........completely different way. I used 2 polyurethane bump stops in the existing holes on the bottom and then mounted the top w/ a 67-72 mount on top w/ another bumpstop.
no shroud and 400ci never gets hot, even in 100* plus temps......... |
Re: Easy Aluminum Radiator Upgrade....See Pics!!
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Re: Easy Aluminum Radiator Upgrade....See Pics!!
Man , that looks nice! I showed my brother in law this post, he just spent300.00 on a stock one.!! ( like I did for mine) Nice job
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Re: Easy Aluminum Radiator Upgrade....See Pics!!
That's how my truck's PO mounted the radiator when they dropped a 350 in. That's also the reason my know-it-all mechanic friend gave for my truck overheating every time I got stuck in traffic. Apparently, my radiator is too far away from the fan to make it work properly.
Does yours still stay cool enough? |
Re: Easy Aluminum Radiator Upgrade....See Pics!!
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The holes the Chief used are for the stock OEM "big" radiator (for big 6 and v8 options), the smaller radiator further back and lower was only for th 230L6. I believe the v8 only had the "short" water pump in that era, so an original OEM style fan shroud should be a proper fit and should resolve your fan-too-far-away issue. The shroud mounts to sheet metal that in turn mounts to the radiator support, not to the radiator itself. So it ought to work with a variety of radiators. The shrouds are available, when I was looking they were $100 to $120 depending on source. Beautiful job Chief, of course I'd expect nothing less given the history with other projects you've shown here. |
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Re: Easy Aluminum Radiator Upgrade....See Pics!!
Looks good. I just ordered a summit radiator with trans cooler(SUM-381428)
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Cool |
Re: Easy Aluminum Radiator Upgrade....See Pics!!
Nice write up. I might need to change mine out since I just installed the old air kit.
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Re: Easy Aluminum Radiator Upgrade....See Pics!!
Great choice.
I've used those Summit universal aluminum rads. in 3 vehicles. My 53 suburban a 57 chevy wagon and a 59 chevy wagon. best 170. bucks I spent. Plus Summit is only 35 minutes from my house, so I just run there and pick stuff up. |
Re: Easy Aluminum Radiator Upgrade....See Pics!!
real nice, it's good to have time to work on the truck........
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Re: Easy Aluminum Radiator Upgrade....See Pics!!
Snazzy post Chief! Try a lower rad hose for 66 c-10 with 327. That should get you close...they use the front rad position and are mounted higher.
Your overflow is plumbed to the bottom of that catch can, I assume. |
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Yes, that's where it's going.....I think I might run an AN fitting off of the radiator, with an elbow. This will look much better then whats on there now. |
Re: Easy Aluminum Radiator Upgrade....See Pics!!
Everytime I Ck On This Site I See That You Have Done Something New To Youre Truck. It Just Keeps On Getting Better And Better. Keep Up The Good Work. I Enjoy Seeing The Progress.
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Re: Easy Aluminum Radiator Upgrade....See Pics!!
I would like to do this also, but dont know how everyone else is running the tranny cooler lines. Or where they are putting the tranny cooler. I have a powerglide.
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Re: Easy Aluminum Radiator Upgrade....See Pics!!
So, how do those metal radiator hoses work? How do they tighten up? Just curious...
thanks for sharing and all the picture taking! -W |
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- That would be a good choice....Although, when I convert my truck from the stock 3-speed over to the 700R4, I am going to run a nice, over kill tranny cooler. I used a really sweet one from Summit one time on a boosted Diesel Excursion...It had 1/2 ports w/a thermostatically controlled fan...Don't think I have to go that crazy, but there are options out there. No sense in running your fluid thru boiling water. |
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and Your welcome, |
Re: Easy Aluminum Radiator Upgrade....See Pics!!
Hey John.........I know you have it figured out, but salazar44 asked........
I extended the stock tranny hard lines up to a 28K GVW B&M cooler and mounted it in front of the radiator with some straps. My tranny leaks like crazy but hasnt overheated!!!:lol: |
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Of course in doesn't overheat, you keep adding cool fluid to it !! :lol: |
Re: Easy Aluminum Radiator Upgrade....See Pics!!
Does anyone have pics of how the mounted the tranny cooler?
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Re: Easy Aluminum Radiator Upgrade....See Pics!!
Well, I got it buttoned up a few days ago, just in time for the big cruise.
Although, one thing I didn't realize when I ordered this radiator was the position of the lower inlet....I had to cut and rotate it downward. It worked out great after that !!! - http://i30.tinypic.com/2i07y4p.jpg - http://i27.tinypic.com/4t98rb.jpg - http://i30.tinypic.com/eufthw.jpg - - |
Re: Easy Aluminum Radiator Upgrade....See Pics!!
John, was the prob with the lower inlet the angle or the height, or both? was it going to be in the way of the fan?
on a side note.....so much for it being a "drill and bolt-in", huh? :devil: j/k with ya, :lol: and here ya go, ditch you engine driven fan linky |
Re: Easy Aluminum Radiator Upgrade....See Pics!!
Great post there Chief, it will be very helpful for when I get to that point.
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Re: Easy Aluminum Radiator Upgrade....See Pics!!
duuuude i wish your shop was closer, nice works as always
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or just too much angle to be good? shouldn't cost much to have it re-welded locally. man i need a tig or spool gun for the mig:waah: |
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Re: Easy Aluminum Radiator Upgrade....See Pics!!
John, do you have any issues from not using the shroud?
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Re: Easy Aluminum Radiator Upgrade....See Pics!!
Summit is FAST. I orderd my Summit radiator at 7pm pacific time and the radiator was on my doorstep the next morning at 11am!! Now thats FAST shipping. That was just normal UPS ground shipping too :metal:
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/d...0709081053.jpg |
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Just sent you a PM...I'll get right on your radiator mounting kit, and should ship out Monday, mabey even Friday !! |
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