Radiator Talk

[mechanixman]

This may be a stupid question, but I've been wondering for a while now, are there any reasons to not put a huge radiator in a AD 3100?

I was looking at the Core support, and as long as you cut it correctly, and reinforce it in the right places, why not?
With the size of the grill, a huge radiator seems like a good idea. Especially when running a 400 SBC in summers that get to 110 degrees.

[bk2life]

there is never a bad reason to put the biggest anything that will fit..especially radiators

[mechanixman]

The only reason I ask, is because every time I see some one restoring, or even resto-modding an AD truck, I a;ways see them use a stock radiator. I was just wondering if there was any reason to that, or if it's just less work.

[mr48chev]

You don't have to hack the core support up, you just need to go with a radiator or radiator core for a bigger AD truck if you want to use an original radiator. There are plenty of stock dimension but much larger cooling capability radiators out there for prices from anywhere from 200 on Ebay up to around 700 for a Walker.

Being more than broke a few years ago I turned a Mercury Monarch six cylinder radiator out of a car my daughter had driven until it died and turned it sideways and with some straps for mounting brackets ran it for a couple of years. It wasn't something you would put on a truck you took to shows and opened the hood on but it got me to work and back for a while.

We used to cut and hack on these trucks in the early 70's to fit things that didn't fit before we learned better and more suppliers came out with parts that would fit and a lot of guys are now repairing those old cut and hack jobs.

[spinned]

I like the brass top so I polished it and put a new 4 core radiator into the original radiator
Posted via Mobile Device

[lmdangerous]

I used a 3 row from champion -( 188 $ on ebay) -bolted in - used an electric fan to clean up the interior. And it cools so good - it almost runs to cool - 165-170 going down the road.185 is as high as it has gotten in heavy traffic. I am runnig a 250 latemodel six and a 2004r in a 3800 pickup.
LMD

[FRED 53]

I use Radiator 4 Less-- all Alumium--2-3 row with 16'' electric fan-- $ 239.00-- they are the BEST--always runs cool- with ac on and in hot weather-- I use a 15'' over flow tank-- 350 engine with 400 trans-- fasten in original holes--SUPER combination and ALL NEW- good luck

[OrrieG]

Don't know about AD trucks, but I put a big truck radiator in my TF. It is 1" thicker and about 4" taller, for more cooling capacity and bolted right in. If the AD big trucks are set up the same you might look at that. I got mine out of a low mileage farm truck, used only for harvest and limited hauling that was being parted out.

[mygirlz55]

Originally Posted by spinned

I like the brass top so I polished it and put a new 4 core radiator into the original radiator
Posted via Mobile Device

So if my 55 task force has good top and bottom, can a new core section be put in?? My core is beat up and leaks ina few spots. Would love to keep the original top if possible.
Posted via Mobile Device

[wood1]

Originally Posted by mechanixman

This may be a stupid question, but I've been wondering for a while now, are there any reasons to not put a huge radiator in a AD 3100?

I was looking at the Core support, and as long as you cut it correctly, and reinforce it in the right places, why not?
With the size of the grill, a huge radiator seems like a good idea. Especially when running a 400 SBC in summers that get to 110 degrees.

Crate 350. 4 row alum. w/ puller fan $300 ebay. Nice & same quality as the $500-$700 ones. As hot as this summer was in the Midwest, many 100 degree + days in Minnesota and trips to Iowa & Ohio with the same and hotter weather, ran 180-190 degrees even sitting in lines to get into shows. Best investment I've made for my '51.
No need to hack one in when there are many aftermarket ones that fit & for a fair price.

[spinned]

Originally Posted by mygirlz55

So if my 55 task force has good top and bottom, can a new core section be put in?? My core is beat up and leaks ina few spots. Would love to keep the original top if possible.
Posted via Mobile Device

Yes... That is what I did, but you will have to install a copper core. Copper is more efficient and is repairable where aluminum is cheaper but not repairable
Posted via Mobile Device

[OrrieG]

And as I found on my Chevelle it will cost more than a good new aluminum one...

[mygirlz55]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

And as I found on my Chevelle it will cost more than a good new aluminum one...

So I'll hang on to my old radiator if I want to have an original style one made up. How much did it set you back??

[spinned]

Originally Posted by mygirlz55

So I'll hang on to my old radiator if I want to have an original style one made up. How much did it set you back??

$500 for a 4-core replacement installed.
Posted via Mobile Device

[arturo7]

Originally Posted by wood1

Crate 350. 4 row alum. w/ puller fan $300 ebay. Nice & same quality as the $500-$700 ones. As hot as this summer was in the Midwest, many 100 degree + days in Minnesota and trips to Iowa & Ohio with the same and hotter weather, ran 180-190 degrees even sitting in lines to get into shows. Best investment I've made for my '51.
No need to hack one in when there are many aftermarket ones that fit & for a fair price.

wood1, was this used equipment or new from an eBay vendor? If a vendor, who?

thanks