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| | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,384 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,384 | The '49 COE 2 ton project I'm starting is going to have a significantly higher HP engine than stock. As received it has an early Corvette 283 squeezed into it, using the stock radiator.
The radiator is the stock thicker core truck radiator.
Has anyone had an even thicker core put between the original tanks to get more cooling? | | | | | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,208 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,208 | I would think that truck already has a decent size radiator.
I had a new core put in my stock '37 radiator. It lasted about 4 years before starting to leak again. I had it repaired once, then I started repairing it. About once a year it came out for a seep here and there. Turned out, the top tank was so thin, every heat cycle it would expand out and over time crack the solder joints. There was no fix for it so I replaced it with an aluminum street rod radiator. No more problems, and since the core was bigger and I had to reroute the lower hose, the cooling system now hold about 1 gallon more then before.
joe
Joe | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | The heavy truck radiators, stock, are often put in smaller pickups as an upgrade to keep non original engines cool.
I'd try what you have before deciding it's not enough, or do you know it's not enough already? | | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | Don't forget to only use a 3 or 5 psi cap, old radiators were not built for today's higher pressures, and an overflow tank, to suck the water from heat expansion back in, like modern systems. Chrysler makes a handy size vertical tank that works well in a crowded engine compartment, it is plastic, though, no-one will see it but you on a COE. Various pickups.
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,384 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,384 | Should have mentioned that this core has a couple home made repairs already.
And yes, the 48 2 ton (conventional cab)has 3psi cap and NOS expansion tank.
The new engine will have 400% more HP (than stock), but I can't see it ever using half of that. So maybe a re core would be enough, have no idea how it handled the 283. | | |
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