let's talk radiators

[PipsC10]

So my next big purchase is going to be an aluminum radiator. I have looked at quite a few of them and priced them out. I am looking for the best aluminum radiator for a decent price. I dont want to spend "be cool" kind of dollars, but want a quality radiator that performs well. I was looking at the entropy radiators on e-bay, but so far nobody has been able to give an update on how they perform. I also see they may require a little moification to fit properly. I plan on running electric fans. What are some suggestions from your experiences?

[POPO1984]

Why not just a 4 core oem. Most say the cool just as good

[cdowns]

for a regular driven daily driver mild 350 no need for an aluminum rad as they're way overrated as well as pricy// 4core OEM is good if you're doing alot of heavy towing, in reality best bang for the buck is OEM 3core, i used one for years with a mild(300hp) 350ci with ac with the truck loaded up for swapmeet weekends never had a problem with overheating even on days approaching 100 degree in stop'go backups on the freeways

[PipsC10]

where is a good place to look for oem 3 or 4 core radiators? Have any recommedations for fan set ups?

[cdowns]

i'd check local autoparts store or air conditioning shop// google radiator with your location

as far as fan i stuck with the factory setup// shroud is very important, then the clutch setup for the fan too

[treveiger]

I have a 307 with a 4speed granny and a rear end for pulling, i have a stock radiator and drove my truck 350miles in 90degree weather and i was running between 75-90 miles an hour(moslty over 80)and my truck stayed amazingly cool i couldnt believe it. If you want it to run cooler try switching your whole truck into ams oil, my brother in law did that an his cars ran a lot cooler an got better mph. Im switching out my car this month so im going to see how it affects me.

[PipsC10]

I need something that will keep the truck running cool in 110 degree weather in stop and go traffic with the ac running. I know electric fans should take care of the stop and go traffic part. Its not that hot everyday here, usually in the summer we average mid 90's but one day last year, or the year before, it was 114. It seems that every old car I have ever owned without electric fans has overheated in stop and go traffic and then as soon as I get some speed up and air flowing the temps would drop back down. Never had a problem with this truck before but Im not sure what temp it ran at.

[epashhans]

Originally Posted by PipsC10

I need something that will keep the truck running cool in 110 degree weather in stop and go traffic with the ac running. I know electric fans should take care of the stop and go traffic part. Its not that hot everyday here, usually in the summer we average mid 90's but one day last year, or the year before, it was 114. It seems that every old car I have ever owned without electric fans has overheated in stop and go traffic and then as soon as I get some speed up and air flowing the temps would drop back down. Never had a problem with this truck before but Im not sure what temp it ran at.

With my 454 swap I went to a 4 core. I bought an OEM radiator from the local Carquest. They weren't sure if it was going to be all copper or some plastic (because of their computer system), but I had them order it in and it was an all copper rad, just like an original (might have even been a rebuild from an old core? Not sure...) It was $212 and they got to deal with shipping. I thought that was a good deal and its worked perfect so far. I got the 4 core mounts/rubbers and everything fit good. I actually modded a late model shroud and it works good as well. I can post pics if you would like.

[Shyguy]

I have a 454 in my '71 and it stays real cool with a 3 core radiator from Auto Zone and stock fan clutch setup. I am sure other parts stores have similar radiators.

The 454 in my '92 GMC use to have problems in stop and go traffic until I mounted a couple of pusher fans in front of the radiator. I have not looked to see if any would fit in front of my radiator on my '71.

If you decide to go with electric fans only, remember you have to have a high enough amp rated alternator to run them.

[Hair]

I busted the side out of my OEM radiator and so I bought one of these and it works great/ looks great and its cheaper than an OEM or one from the local parts store and it is all aluminum.

What I like about the aliminum, is if you ever punch a hole in it, you can just weld it right back up and keep on truckin.

http://cgi.ebay.com/CHEVY-TRUCK-ALL-...item3f016b559e

[nightmare]

OEM 4-cores are the way to go for cooling. I have a stock 350, with a 4-core and it keeps it very cool even with the A/C on. When I lived in DFW, I could run the A/C the whole day, and the temp would never get above the first hash mark on the temp gauge. When I had to replace it, I bought one from Advance Auto online, was about $165, and had free shipping to boot.

[geezer#99]

Why don't you find a good local rad shop and have your rad recored. You can have it made to your specs. And you know it will still fit. JMHO

[my67chevytruck]

if you want to go aluminum, contact this guy, alot of members are running his setup for 67-72 c10's with shroud and dual spal fans with no issues.....


http://motors.shop.ebay.com/entropyt...1&_from=&_ipg=

[PipsC10]

Originally Posted by my67chevytruck

if you want to go aluminum, contact this guy, alot of members are running his setup for 67-72 c10's with shroud and dual spal fans with no issues.....


http://motors.shop.ebay.com/entropyt...1&_from=&_ipg=

a lot of people have said they purchased this radiator for their truck but nobody has come back and said how they performed.

[mikey531]

I bought an aluminum racing radiator. I figured if it would keep my race truck cool it would work for a stock 350, I was in bumper to bumper traffic at 95 degrees on the 4th and had no problem. In fact it almost runs too cool. I think I paid $209 for mine and it fit with very little modification. All I had to do was drill out a rivet and move one lower mount a little and pop rivet it back in. I am running a stock 6 cylinder shroud and stock fan.

[Alex Hayley]

I have been running this rad and really like it so far. 3 core rad brackets (top and bottom) need to be used.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1968-...item5adad62b56

[PipsC10]

Originally Posted by Alex Hayley

I have been running this rad and really like it so far. 3 core rad brackets (top and bottom) need to be used.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1968-...item5adad62b56

This looks like the best find yet. Good information in the add too. Thanks

[chevy_mike]

Originally Posted by Alex Hayley

I have been running this rad and really like it so far. 3 core rad brackets (top and bottom) need to be used.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1968-...item5adad62b56

This is the one I bought but I am months away from ever using it...

When I got it, it was well packed and looks like a very high quality piece. Hope to use it one day.

[Alex Hayley]

It has worked well so far. The transmission cooling connections are well placed as is the lower hose connection. I don't know why it is so much more inexpensive than the other aluminum radiators though.

[PipsC10]

Originally Posted by Alex Hayley

It has worked well so far. The transmission cooling connections are well placed as is the lower hose connection. I don't know why it is so much more inexpensive than the other aluminum radiators though.

I went ahead and bought one of these today. For the price it seems like the best deal. An OEM replacement would have been just as much. Next up I am going to configure a fan set-up. Thanks for all the input!

[my67chevytruck]

let us know how it works out....

[capev86]

my 72 burb 3/4 ton 2wd has a 307, 3 on the tree and no a/c, but i still wanted to replace the dinky 2 row with a 4 row. i found the best price on a brand new factory style 4 row from Jim Carter. cost was 200 bucks plus s/h....cheaper than any other vendor i have found. They have stopped stocking parts for 67-72 chevy trucks (too much competition) but they may still have some radiators in stock.

oh.....and my dad had kept the 7 blade fan from his 72 burb and i installed it on mine to replace the standard 4 blade. i also installed an overflow bottle and put in a 180 deg thermostat.

[PipsC10]

anyone have any suggestions or experience with electric fans and which quality is better. Here is the two that I am looking at. The SPAL set up is more expensive, but again I want to make sure I get a quality product. If anyone has any experience with the jegs set-up please chime in. I want a good product but dont want to break the bank.....

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/52116...ductId=1014845

http://www.spalusa.com/store/main.as...&item=30102052

[bigbadjohn84]

im running a factory radiator from a 90's GM truck, uses original bigblock mounts and stock big block location on top with factory big block mounts. works just fine

[tqlspec]

I went with Old Air Products fan at http://www.oldairproducts.com/catalo...oducts_id=3778.

One fan on start-up and the other only runs when the temp. sensor that comes with the unit reaches the temp. you set it for. It's adjustable.

With this fan setup and OEM 4 core radiator (which only cost 180 bucks at Autozone) my truck doesn't even try to get hot in 100° Tennessee heat with the A/C running.