Radiator

[vjjack04]

ok, now that I know I am inclined to change out my factory 55 radiator, does anybody have experience with a good radiator? I already had a suggestion or two. The current radiator is about 25 1/2 tall, 21 3/4 wide, 2 1/8 think and from mounting tab end to end is about 26 1/2 inches. Summit sells some aluminum racing/circle track radiators that would work - I want to mount it to the factory area and probably remove the "x" small bars in the front and have pusher type dual fans...comments welcome.

Also, I will have an original factory 55 chevy radiator for sell....

[OrrieG]

I put a big truck (2 ton) radiator in mine, mounted in the 6 cylinder location. It is 1 inch thicker and a little longer than the stock 6 cylinder one. It bolts to the stock mounting points. I ran a stock 6 cylinder radiator and never had any cooling problems, even creeping around in the hills, but figured with the AC I should upgrade. I got it in a trade so cost was not an issue. Shroud is from a mid 70's GM.

[parkwood]

I used a radiator from U.S. Radiator.. fit great and did the job.. and you're right you will have to lose the cross bars for the pusher fan..

[candyx]

I used a PRC radiator with trans cooler,good construction and quality and left me just enough room for the puller electric fan.

http://www.prchotrod.com/products/index.php

[G&R's57GMC]

I'm using a 2000 Camero Rad and fan set up and a 5.3 L

Makes for a tight package. Simple upper mount, small cut on core support bracket, light weight and inexpensive. All new way cheaper then aftermarket hot rod parts. Fan assembly $165, rad. $180.

[Daze57]

i had a good radiator/machine shop rebuild my original rad. to a 4 core - they went through it completly - than i added a sidewinder puller fan that pulls 'bout 3000 cfm .
livin here in sin city we do get our hot days - but i think the new set up will wrk out

[Denee007]

Hi, are the crossbars necessary? Ill be installing Ac, just wondering if they'll be in the way?

Originally Posted by parkwood

I used a radiator from U.S. Radiator.. fit great and did the job.. and you're right you will have to lose the cross bars for the pusher fan..

[vjjack04]

Guys,
Thanks, some good info here. I am surprised too because after I posted this I saw the other aluminum radiator thread...which has some good info too....
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[azsnow]

G&R, is that the same truck as in your avatar? If so, I would have never expected to find that under the hood! Love it!

[vjjack04]

Originally Posted by parkwood

I used a radiator from U.S. Radiator.. fit great and did the job.. and you're right you will have to lose the cross bars for the pusher fan..

Nice, what fan is that?
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[55Cameo]

I have a great set up from Summit in mine. I just had to have some custom brackets made, no biggie, and its works great. Never gets hot and overkill even for our AZ heat.

My opinion would be pullers work way better then pushers. The fans just block air being in front. I;m sure you should have the space since you motor is close to the firewall

[G&R's57GMC]

Originally Posted by azsnow

G&R, is that the same truck as in your avatar? If so, I would have never expected to find that under the hood! Love it!

Short answer, no. I saw it at a show and asked a lot of questions.

So its what I'm using on the chassis I'm building to go under the body of my avatar. Changing from Napco 4x4 to 2x4 air ride 5.3L 4L60E Currie 9".

You can see it stuffed in the corner, the pic subject is about the trailer I redoing.

[zonacat00]

I'm currently having the original 47 radiator flushed and repaired. Not cheap. Close to $500.

[G&R's57GMC]

Originally Posted by Denee007

Hi, are the crossbars necessary? Ill be installing Ac, just wondering if they'll be in the way?

The cross bars stiffen the core support. If you remove them its best to run a weld on all the side panels of the core support to add back some of the ridgeity lost. Remember the core support also supports the entire front clip from racking.

You should not have to remove the X to install A/C.

The condenser should have an air gap between the Rad.

Pusher Fans are not as effective as puller fans.

[Denee007]

Thanks! I didn't think anyone saw my question~ ; )

Originally Posted by G&R's57GMC

The cross bars stiffen the core support. If you remove them its best to run a weld on all the side panels of the core support to add back some of the ridgeity lost. Remember the core support also supports the entire front clip from racking.

You should not have to remove the X to install A/C.

The condenser should have an air gap between the Rad.

Pusher Fans are not as effective as puller fans.

[_Ogre]

not a good picture but the best i had on photobucket
i kept the crossbars and installed a vintage air 55-59 sure fit condenser and hard lines
those crossbars are the only thing keeping the front sheet metal from racking side to side.
the us radiator that parkwood has is also the one that brothers sells (i have one) it drop ships from us radiator
mine is the desert cooler with trans cooler in the bottom tank

[vjjack04]

[QUOTE=55Cameo;5350245]I have a great set up from Summit in mine. I just had to have some custom brackets made, no biggie, and its works great. Never gets hot and overkill even for our AZ heat.

My opinion would be pullers work way better then pushers. The fans just block air being in front. I;m sure you should have the space since you motor is close to the firewall

55 Cameo - How wide is that radiator and which model is it - also do you have the width with the fans - at least and estimate (oh and what model are the fans from summit?)

[55Cameo]

Originally Posted by vjjack04

55 Cameo - How wide is that radiator and which model is it - also do you have the width with the fans - at least and estimate (oh and what model are the fans from summit?)

I'm going to work on my truck tomorrow and will take exact measurements for you. I do know it was a summit brand and flex-a-lite fans. I posted some links in my build thread and how I modified to fit it. I remember for sure the radiator core is exactly the width of the opening of our core support.

Its such a great set-up. I tested it out when i st put it in. At a stand still I would let the temp get high between 215-225(which took forever by the way) and then kick the fans on it and it would immediately start going down to where the t-stat opened at which I have a 160. I can literary keep the engine at whatever temp I want

[55Cameo]

So i got the measurements for you

Radiator: 31 1/4'' W x 20'' H x 3'' D at tanks, 2 1/4'' D at core

Fans: 26'' W x 15 1/2'' H x 2 1/2'' D

[vjjack04]

Originally Posted by 55Cameo

So i got the measurements for you

Radiator: 31 1/4'' W x 20'' H x 3'' D at tanks, 2 1/4'' D at core

Fans: 26'' W x 15 1/2'' H x 2 1/2'' D

thank you Sir - that helps.

[vjjack04]

Originally Posted by 55Cameo

So i got the measurements for you

Radiator: 31 1/4'' W x 20'' H x 3'' D at tanks, 2 1/4'' D at core

Fans: 26'' W x 15 1/2'' H x 2 1/2'' D

55 Cameo, is your radiator leaning forward (towards teh front at the top)?

[OrrieG]

Stock radiator top leans toward the engine to match the approx. 4% engine angle so the fan is parallel to the radiator.

[vjjack04]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

Stock radiator top leans toward the engine to match the approx. 4% engine angle so the fan is parallel to the radiator.

Thanks. I figured that. I am specifically asking if Cameo's is leaning or not...it looks like he has it at an angle different than stock....but I could be wrong...

[vjjack04]

Also, I have been looking at this too long and want to ensure that my radiator support is in the correct location - look at the pictures - this is right, right? I noticed that it could go in the holes forward on the frame as well....

[55Cameo]

Originally Posted by vjjack04

55 Cameo, is your radiator leaning forward (towards teh front at the top)?

My radiator has the same consistent gap from the top to bottom on the core support. I remember this when setting it up making sure it wouldn't rub on the core