47-55.1 Radiator - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Root2812 · 06-15-2020, 03:38 PM

I am hoping for some guidance here. I have a 1950 with a 5.3L but the water pump has been swapped to the LS3 water pump. This puts the upper hose really close to the throttle body. I need a radiator and wanted to go with Champion like so many of you have but I don't know if their radiators will work for me.

My issues I am seeing is that the center inlet on the radiator would make me have to snake my upper hose around the air intake which doesn't seem like it would work with them eventually rubbing. Then there are the hose sizes and steam ports. The Champion doesn't look to have steam ports. I measured my waterpump inlet and outlets and they seem close enough to standard sizes (1.3 and 1.55 inches measured with a caliper).

Who of you have used the LS3 water pump and what radiator set ups did you use?

**mr48chev** · 06-15-2020, 06:18 PM

I'd say that you could take one and have someone who can tig aluminum move the neck to one side. I don't think that they will make a custom radiator.

Looking at early 60's F100 radiators it doesn't seem to make much difference where the inlet and outlets are actually located as depending on the engine, they had them both on one side, one on one side, one on the other or one in the middle and one on the side. That is from looking at Champion radiators on Ebay so that should solve that argument. I did look and check though.

You may have to spend more money and go to someone like Brice Thomas that custom makes each radiator to order and can put the neck where you need it in the size that works best. https://cgj.com/ They advertise on Ebay but still custom make the ones they sell on Ebay.

I've got one of this companie's radiators and they might custom make one. I am not sure on that though. http://www.speedcooling.com/Chevy-Truck/

I don't have an LS as i have a 292 six so I can't answer the fit thing.

**jweb** · 06-15-2020, 06:20 PM

Well I don't have an LS3 pump but I used a swivel thermostat neck and Superior radiator to make everything fit. You can order them with steam ports.
Here's a link:
https://www.wwwsuperiorradiator.com/...60_chevy_truck

mick53 · 06-16-2020, 01:14 PM

I'll be running waterless coolant so no radiator pressure but what are steam ports?

**jweb** · 06-16-2020, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mick53

I'll be running waterless coolant so no radiator pressure but what are steam ports?

LS engines have steam lines that are usually vented into the radiator or water pump. Here's a good explanation:
https://www.holley.com/blog/post/why..._steam_tubes_/

mick53 · 06-16-2020, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jweb

LS engines have steam lines that are usually vented into the radiator or water pump. Here's a good explanation:
https://www.holley.com/blog/post/why..._steam_tubes_/

Thanks, I'm smarter now.

06-15-2020, 03:38 PM	#1
Root2812 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Barnum, Mn Posts: 795	Radiator I am hoping for some guidance here. I have a 1950 with a 5.3L but the water pump has been swapped to the LS3 water pump. This puts the upper hose really close to the throttle body. I need a radiator and wanted to go with Champion like so many of you have but I don't know if their radiators will work for me. My issues I am seeing is that the center inlet on the radiator would make me have to snake my upper hose around the air intake which doesn't seem like it would work with them eventually rubbing. Then there are the hose sizes and steam ports. The Champion doesn't look to have steam ports. I measured my waterpump inlet and outlets and they seem close enough to standard sizes (1.3 and 1.55 inches measured with a caliper). Who of you have used the LS3 water pump and what radiator set ups did you use? __________________ My 1950 Chevy build

06-15-2020, 06:18 PM	#2
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,705	Re: Radiator I'd say that you could take one and have someone who can tig aluminum move the neck to one side. I don't think that they will make a custom radiator. Looking at early 60's F100 radiators it doesn't seem to make much difference where the inlet and outlets are actually located as depending on the engine, they had them both on one side, one on one side, one on the other or one in the middle and one on the side. That is from looking at Champion radiators on Ebay so that should solve that argument. I did look and check though. You may have to spend more money and go to someone like Brice Thomas that custom makes each radiator to order and can put the neck where you need it in the size that works best. https://cgj.com/ They advertise on Ebay but still custom make the ones they sell on Ebay. I've got one of this companie's radiators and they might custom make one. I am not sure on that though. http://www.speedcooling.com/Chevy-Truck/ I don't have an LS as i have a 292 six so I can't answer the fit thing. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

06-15-2020, 06:20 PM	#3
jweb Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,208	Re: Radiator Well I don't have an LS3 pump but I used a swivel thermostat neck and Superior radiator to make everything fit. You can order them with steam ports. Here's a link: https://www.wwwsuperiorradiator.com/...60_chevy_truck __________________ 1951 Truck, LS1/4L60 1964 Suburban, current project 2014 Silverado daily driver 1953 Westerner "canned ham" trailer, rebuilt 1974 Prowler trailer, rebuilt

06-16-2020, 01:14 PM	#4
mick53 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Warsaw IN Posts: 897	Re: Radiator I'll be running waterless coolant so no radiator pressure but what are steam ports?



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