Engine Cooling

[54belair]

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??

[1972SUPERSB]

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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[TBONE1964]

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

[cdowns]

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

[truckster]

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.

[Stocker]

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.

[BlackedOut67shorty]

Originally Posted by truckster

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.

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
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