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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: N.E. Florida
Posts: 500
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Which Radiator ? 2 or 3 row, Aluminum ?
My engine replacement has turned into a restoration than just a new crate engine. I keep finding parts either worn completely out or broken. I'm the type who doesn't put this off. I will update my engine thread later.
What I need input on is what size Radiator to buy. The one that came out of the truck looks to be OEM. And weights a ton, its plugged up. And the bottom half is soft. Its a three row also. I'm looking at replacements and with the new Aluminum Radiators out there is it possible a two row will do the job of the old three row ? Or stay with a three row ?
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1985 IROC Z28 190HP TPI 305,700r4,T-tops,rear trac lock, Black on lite gray, 16in Z28 wheels 2007 Lexus ES350 (wifes) 1984 CJ7 with 1995 HO4.0L MPI, 2 1/2 OME YJ Lift “There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit.” ― Ronald Reagan |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Northern California
Posts: 422
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Re: Which Radiator ? 2 or 3 row, Aluminum ?
It is possible the 2 row will work, but I like going overkill on the cooling system and would likely go with the 3 row for peace of mind.
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: northern arizona
Posts: 259
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Re: Which Radiator ? 2 or 3 row, Aluminum ?
According to a very trusted radiator shop I have dealt with for close to 30 years, a three core aluminum is equal to a one core copper/brass for heat dissipation. He might be really close in his calculations.
I have two squarebodies, an 83 with a crate 350 and a one row aluminum cools it nicely, the stroker engine in my 84 that dumps more heat required a two core aluminum to run at the proper temperature. I agree with the overkill theory, heat will kill an engine so use a bigger radiator.
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"Off the grid and on the seven day weekend plan" "One person cannot know everything, but between all of us, there isn't much we don't know." |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 3,188
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Re: Which Radiator ? 2 or 3 row, Aluminum ?
Larger 2 row OEM replacement from Ready Rad for my stock 83 454 runs very cool in the 110 degree desert heat - very low cost. Aluminum is not necessary.
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Spearfish South Dakota
Posts: 407
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Re: Which Radiator ? 2 or 3 row, Aluminum ?
My boss buys what's cheapest we have 7.3 ford e450s with 2 A/c And 2 alt running single cores No problem but we don't use them hard or get stuck stop and go traffic Black hills SD,
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83 c10 long Box Daily Driver 90 Jimmy parked 98 Road King/ 06 Road Glide In memorium 63 impala SS/ 65 Chevy Panel 65 GMC Short Box/ 68 Camero |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Lakeside, Ca.
Posts: 320
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Re: Which Radiator ? 2 or 3 row, Aluminum ?
Im running a 3 row aluminum with dual electrics and shroud from ebay.. i think i paid like $380 to my door. And that is cooling my 355 with a 6-71 making just over 600hp in socal climate. never over heats.
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Kimberley, BC, Canada
Posts: 799
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Re: Which Radiator ? 2 or 3 row, Aluminum ?
I think it really depends on how you use your truck. I think over-heating takes two forms:
1. At idle while waiting in traffic. The kind of thing that could even happen to a trailer queen. This is where electric fans are really good. And mechanical fans with no shrouds are poor. 2. Under heavy towing loads for an extended period. There's a mountain pass about 100 miles from my house. The ascent to the peak is 20 miles long! The grade starts out at 6%, increases to 7%, and the last 5 miles are 8%. It takes at least 30 minutes to climb this. Everybody with a real load is running flat out. Overheating here is commonplace. In this environment, I'll take all the radiator I can get! Oh, that combined grade climbs 4000 feet, vertically.
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Greg 64 GMC Suburban - 283, NV3500, 14 bolt 77 C10 swb - 292, SM465, 12 bolt |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: N.E. Florida
Posts: 500
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Re: Which Radiator ? 2 or 3 row, Aluminum ?
I'm going back with a 3 row, due to living in Florida. Plus the major traffic issue's around Jacksonville, seams like there's always a jam somewhere. I also have dual electric fans setup to run at high and low speeds.
Plus the OEM oil cooler and I have added a trans cooler. I have read about not needing a extra trans cooler. But after living down south for 20 years I have smelled my share of burnt trans fluid. Ken
__________________
1985 IROC Z28 190HP TPI 305,700r4,T-tops,rear trac lock, Black on lite gray, 16in Z28 wheels 2007 Lexus ES350 (wifes) 1984 CJ7 with 1995 HO4.0L MPI, 2 1/2 OME YJ Lift “There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit.” ― Ronald Reagan |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 75
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Re: Which Radiator ? 2 or 3 row, Aluminum ?
I'm with you on this one, I believe more is better when it comes to radiators. Here's a little info from Super Chevy: http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/eng...n-engines.html
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Everything that can be counted does not necessarily counts; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted--Albert Einstein |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Brimfield, MA
Posts: 91
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Re: Which Radiator ? 2 or 3 row, Aluminum ?
Always go with a triple core...
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: N.E. Florida
Posts: 500
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Re: Which Radiator ? 2 or 3 row, Aluminum ?
I knew asking the question would make me sound like a dumb ass. Which I'm far from in my own little world
![]() You ask how? I have found that if it wasn't worn out it was broken. So everything has been rebuilt or replaced. And all the stuff even the small items add up. Plus I'm VERY picky about how I do things. Everything has to be kitchen sink clean. And detailed, I feather sanded my P/S pump tin before priming it. Then I painted it with a hammer finish. Ken
__________________
1985 IROC Z28 190HP TPI 305,700r4,T-tops,rear trac lock, Black on lite gray, 16in Z28 wheels 2007 Lexus ES350 (wifes) 1984 CJ7 with 1995 HO4.0L MPI, 2 1/2 OME YJ Lift “There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit.” ― Ronald Reagan |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Kimberley, BC, Canada
Posts: 799
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Re: Which Radiator ? 2 or 3 row, Aluminum ?
Ken, we need some pics of that new engine!
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Greg 64 GMC Suburban - 283, NV3500, 14 bolt 77 C10 swb - 292, SM465, 12 bolt |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: N.E. Florida
Posts: 500
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Re: Which Radiator ? 2 or 3 row, Aluminum ?
I'll update my engine thread this weekend.
__________________
1985 IROC Z28 190HP TPI 305,700r4,T-tops,rear trac lock, Black on lite gray, 16in Z28 wheels 2007 Lexus ES350 (wifes) 1984 CJ7 with 1995 HO4.0L MPI, 2 1/2 OME YJ Lift “There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit.” ― Ronald Reagan |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Brimfield, MA
Posts: 91
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Im the same way. Good job.
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 3,188
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Re: Which Radiator ? 2 or 3 row, Aluminum ?
i would say that the radiator is not the only factor in cooling - think water pump, fan, fan clutch, coolant level and condition, thermostat and operating condition, etc. Is is possible to run and engine "too cool?"
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Kimberley, BC, Canada
Posts: 799
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Re: Which Radiator ? 2 or 3 row, Aluminum ?
Yes it is. An engine that is too cold won't have the right clearances, increasing wear. Also, if the oil doesn't get up to the right temperature, it doesn't flow as expected. Further, cool oil won't boil off condensation in the oil, leading to increased oil contamination. All bad.
__________________
Greg 64 GMC Suburban - 283, NV3500, 14 bolt 77 C10 swb - 292, SM465, 12 bolt |
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 3,188
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Re: Which Radiator ? 2 or 3 row, Aluminum ?
That's my problem - I am too cool.
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: N.E. Florida
Posts: 500
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Re: Which Radiator ? 2 or 3 row, Aluminum ?
That why it's important to run a thermostat in your engine. I remember years ago hearing the guys saying you don't need that thing, take it out.
It didn't take long to prove that line of thought wrong. The temp in thermostat I have ever gone is 180, that what I'll be using in this engine also. Like I said before the traffic around here is unbelievable at times. And add outside temps of 95 and hot blacktop. I have a small 8 inch electric fan that if it fit in front of all my coolers and condenser, radiator. I might wire it up on a manual switch for such situation. To help out the R12 A/C system that has been converted cool a little better in traffic.
__________________
1985 IROC Z28 190HP TPI 305,700r4,T-tops,rear trac lock, Black on lite gray, 16in Z28 wheels 2007 Lexus ES350 (wifes) 1984 CJ7 with 1995 HO4.0L MPI, 2 1/2 OME YJ Lift “There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit.” ― Ronald Reagan |
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 3,188
|
Re: Which Radiator ? 2 or 3 row, Aluminum ?
My stock 454 with that 2 row Ready Rad copper/brass radiator and 180 degree thermostat shows a constant 165 degrees on the temp gauge when at operating temperature, regardless of load or idling in 110 degree ambient temperature in the summer.
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