Engine Cooling
 

I have a question on engine cooling and would like to hear any thoughts or especially experience.

My question is: Is a 4 core radiator really necessary? My 68 is going to have a relatively stock engine with the exception of a mild cam for more low end. The truck will have aftermarket heat and air and it will be a manual trans. The rear will be a 3.08 which will keep the R's low on the hiway.
She will be mainly driven in warm weather and languish in the garage during the winters.

Im wanting to use the three core I already have, install a shroud and a clutch fan. Didnt this combo work 40 years ago when the trucks were new? (or did it?) The p o of my truck had double 19" fans on the truck and still had trouble keeping it cool??

Re: Engine Cooling
 

I know all a/c trucks came with the 4 row radiator from the factory during those years. I personally always have 4 core radiators on my trucks. Nothing wrong with too big of a radiator. But I'm pretty positive a 3 row would work just fine.
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Re: Engine Cooling
 

A 3 row should be just fine for your combination. 9 times out of 10, the radiator is not the cause of overheating issues.

Re: Engine Cooling
 

4 core radiators are way overhyped overrated and overused// mostly just a severe case of monkey see monkey do

Re: Engine Cooling
 

It sounds like you're building an engine. A new water pump and thermostat will go a long way to alleviating any concerns about overheating. Your 3-core will be fine, as long as it's in good shape. And make sure you have a shroud that fits properly. I don't think you'll have any problems.

Re: Engine Cooling
 

Your 3-row will work just fine. My factory A/C K20 came with a 2-row and it did pretty well, but it ran a bit hot going up the mountain with a cord of green hardwood on a warm day -- didn't overheat, just ran hotter than usual. When the radiator finally failed, I replaced it with a 4-row to help eliminate any chance of running too hot.

Re: Engine Cooling
 

My three core worked great but without a fan shroud it will like to overheat when your sitting idling. It happened to me when I had to sit in traffic during road construction. I was sweating bullets watching the temp go to 240 degrees, once I moved it went back down, after that I got a nice fan shroud and now it doesn't even come close:metal:
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Re: Engine Cooling
 

As was mentioned, the condition of the radiator and the engine has a lot to do with overheating. I drove a car with a/c and two core here in hot 100º texas weather for many years without overheating. A decent engine with a three core should work fine.

Re: Engine Cooling
 

The 3 row should be fine. The main thing is get the shroud on the truck with the fan placed right inside it. The fan should have about 3/4" of the blades outside the shroud and not all the way up inside it. This is for the best air movement and it will stay nice and cool no matter what the outside tempo gets to.;):chevy:


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