radiator question

[cstm68]

is any one here running an aluminum radiator or a big block radiator with a small block. i would like my truck to run a little cooler.

would this do the trick

[HavinSomeFun]

I am running the 4 core in my 67 with a clutch fan. When I had the high compression engine installed it would stay at 180-190 all day long. even driving in a parade when the others were over heating......

[cstm68]

i have a 4 core in it right now but my truck runs at 210 but never goes much higher than that

[d10s69c10]

I Ran a 4 core 18x 32 Griffin in my Sbc 350 but i still used a 180 thermostat as for cooling the Radiators return line was never even close to being "HOT".. i wouldent run one without a Thermostat tho because you will get Engine wear from parts just never heating up.

SInce then i have switched to a Autozone version of a 85 silverado aluminum radiator 2 core. seems to work pretty dang well with 2 12" cooling fans.

[Longhorn Man]

how hot is your engine running?
This probably isn't the way to do it. If your two row rad is up to the task, then you'll just be throwing money away when buying the 4 row rad.

[cstm68]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

how hot is your engine running?
This probably isn't the way to do it. If your two row rad is up to the task, then you'll just be throwing money away when buying the 4 row rad.

i have a 4 core now but it runs at 210

[big_al_71]

Griffin aluminum radiator four core no matter where or what time 180 in the hot florida heat....
350SBC

[PanelDeland]

That's really not too hot but before you throw money at the radiator you might want to check the rest of the cooling system.You could have a bad clutch fan, no Shroud or someone may have removed the stat.Even the water pump may be worn internally and not flowing as well as it needs to.Unless you know the radiator is the problem there are lots of other things to look into.You could also have clogged tubes in the rad and just need to have it rodded out.

[cstm68]

Originally Posted by PanelDeland

That's really not too hot but before you throw money at the radiator you might want to check the rest of the cooling system.You could have a bad clutch fan, no Shroud or someone may have removed the stat.Even the water pump may be worn internally and not flowing as well as it needs to.Unless you know the radiator is the problem there are lots of other things to look into.You could also have clogged tubes in the rad and just need to have it rodded out.

i built the motor and it has a new stat and waterpump, i know its not too hot and its not overheating but i would just like it to run a bit cooler

whats the difference between a big block radiator and a small block radiator?

[d10s69c10]

well i know 4's generally are about 2x as thick as 2's
weather they have more tubes running from side to side i can not confirm or i also know some radiators kind of snake through from say left to right and right to left and back (Increasing surface area so to speak)

Big blocks and diesels use 4 cores (in most cases)
2 Cores run everything else.

[piecesparts]

Originally Posted by cstm68

i built the motor and it has a new stat and waterpump, i know its not too hot and its not overheating but i would just like it to run a bit cooler

whats the difference between a big block radiator and a small block radiator?

I would have to ask---Did you put in a "SuperStat" or was it a standard replacement T/stat. The Superstat's control temp better and modualtes at a more even temp than an original replacement. (No BS here) Just about all of the parts chains offer the Super level of the T/stat world. As for a cooling temp change--what T/stat temp did you put in? The engine is going to achieve that setting no matter what. As for the radiator, the 2 row is probably adequate, if the fan is working right and the water flow inside the engine is at the right rate. Check with "Be Cool" and see what their recommendations are in the cooling department. If you put in an aftermarket pump, you may have the water flowing too fast to pick up the heat transfer. A change to an aluminum radiator will increase the removal rate of heat in your truck. "Be Cool" touts that they will run a vehicle 20 degrees cooler than any other radiator on the market. I have one in of their radiators in my 84 GMC/ 385 stroker motor and have no overheating issues- I run a 180 T/stat and it works right in that area --- even in July and August.

[Longhorn Man]

you may have the water flowing too fast to pick up the heat transfer

if there is a proper T-stat in there, then you could flow a million gallons a second, and it wouldn't matter since the T-stat holds the coolant in the rad so it can cool.

[Bob 68327]

Sounds to me like you are running a 195 t-stat If you are drop down to a 180 that will help also make sure it's a super stat money well spent.

[piecesparts]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

if there is a proper T-stat in there, then you could flow a million gallons a second, and it wouldn't matter since the T-stat holds the coolant in the rad so it can cool.

Actually the T/stat holds the water in the engine to achieve a temp that is selected by that T/stat. The radiator only dispells what comes to it. However the faster the waterflow the less time it has to remove the heat from the metal surrounding it. That is why GM put some restrictor holes in some of the head gaskets. I believe that there are some interesting tips on the "Be Cool website on cooling faux pas.

[GREASEMONKEY72]

Originally Posted by Bob 68327

Sounds to me like you are running a 195 t-stat If you are drop down to a 180 that will help also make sure it's a super stat money well spent.