|
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?
|
Re: Easy Aluminum Radiator Upgrade....See Pics!!
nice write up! thanks
|
Re: Easy Aluminum Radiator Upgrade....See Pics!!
Quote:
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!!
Quote:
|
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
|
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!!
Quote:
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. |
Re: Easy Aluminum Radiator Upgrade....See Pics!!
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Later |
Re: Easy Aluminum Radiator Upgrade....See Pics!!
Looks good. I just ordered a summit radiator with trans cooler(SUM-381428)
|
Re: Easy Aluminum Radiator Upgrade....See Pics!!
Quote:
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.
|
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........
|
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. |
Re: Easy Aluminum Radiator Upgrade....See Pics!!
Quote:
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.
|
Re: Easy Aluminum Radiator Upgrade....See Pics!!
Quote:
|
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.
|
Re: Easy Aluminum Radiator Upgrade....See Pics!!
Quote:
|
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 |
Re: Easy Aluminum Radiator Upgrade....See Pics!!
Quote:
- 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. |
| All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:50 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2025 67-72chevytrucks.com