Hi Guys,
Six weeks ago I bought a 1954 Chevy 3100(see Welcome Center if interested). The previous owner was very honest with me about what the truck still needed and pointed out all the flaws before I bought it. One thing that I need to fix concerns the cooling system. While driving the truck home( 2 1/2 hour trip), the temperature stays somewhere between 160 to 180, however, if I pulled over on the side of the road too long, the temperature gauge quickly increases to 200-220(maybe higher if I stayed idle longer?). I believe the PO said the thermostat is 180 degree. My engine is a 350 Chevy(supposedly HP over 300).
I believe part of the problem is this: The engine does sit low compared to the radiator(supposedly a decent aftermarket radiator...I couldn't find a brand on it)...see picture
https://www.flickr.com/photos/129097464@N03/15997510801/.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/129097464@N03/15973706746/
The radiator is 20" wide and 25" tall. The bottom of the fan is even with the bottom radiator fins, however, the top blade is 6" below the top radiator fins. The fan is only 14" due to the fact that if it was 15" it would hit the bottom radiator hose.
The aftermarket radiator can not completely extend to the bottom of the original radiator support bracket due to the curve in the original support bracket. See picture:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/129097464@N03/15998852802/.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/129097464@N03/15379857523/
My first thought was: I would cut out the bottom of the radiator bracket starting where the curve impedes the radiator from dropping down. Then drop the radiator 3". This would lower the radiator top 3"(as well as give me 3" more clearance from the bottom radiator hose) and I then could get a 16" fan to cover more surface area to pull air. Then I would add a fan shroud.
Dropping the radiator 3", increasing the fan diameter to 16", and putting a shroud on, would probably help the idling temperature substantially.
Then it dawned on me that the one piece radiator support(including the bottom I wanted to cut out)was probably structurally supporting not only the radiator but I'm guessing part of the inner fender support??? Can I get a aftermarket radiator support for my radiator so I can drop it lower, OR, am I opening a can of worms because there are other little sheet metal pieces that are connected to the original support?
Maybe I should just avoid any fabrication and put a dual electrical puller fan?
Your insight, thoughts and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank You!
