The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop radiator

hey,

is it worth saving this old radiator, and having it rebuilt? I am undecided on an engine, and it may be anywhere from an inline six to a 400 stroker.

What kind of condition is the radiator in? Are fins all intact? are some smashed in. If you GENTLY run your finger down some of the fins, they shouldnt bend. If the radiator is in trouble, the fins will disintegrate. Check for cracks running the length of the radiator. Check for leaks. Sometimes I hear its easier to recore the radiator, sometimes the price will be reasonable, and people usually do a good job. Check around your local shops, they could give you estimates.

solo,

Try thinking your entire project through before you start anything. That's first.

If your radiator is rebuildable AND will serve your project needs then have it recored.

Make sure it can handle above and beyond any normal daily stresses it will bear. For instance, I have a v8, 3 row core radiator with internal tranny cooler in my '66 stepside that currently has a 230 inline-6 and a stock 3-speed manual tranny. Even if I go to a 350/700R4 combo the radiator is still plenty enough up to the task.

Without proper cooling the rest of your engine will suffer.

the fins are not bent, and seem to be in good shape. this thing is full of grass and hay from the critters that made a home between the grill and radiator, but I'm assuming a hot take with their accide will take care of all this stuff.

let me ask this question another way, how much engine could I run with a stock radiator?

Solo,
I had a 54 with a 389 Poncho in it in Denver. It did quite well with the origional radiator. Had to run an external oil cooler for the hydramatic. Have it checked out and run it.
Dennis

yea I think I will thanks.

Assuming the radiator in your truck is like the one in my '54 car, you should have some extra capacity. My '54 is a 3-row all copper/brass model. If your radiator is in good shape, and you've got a really good fan & pump, you should be able to cool a 325 HP 355 (350 bored .030") to about 180F in 90 degree ambient.

Anything bigger might get hot. I've heard that the 400 small block has a tendency to run hot due to its water jacket design. (Anybody know?)

A bigblock might be too heavy w/o serious frame/suspension mods. You'd have to run an external auto tranny cooler, cuz your radiator won't have a built in cooler.

Another concern might be your rad core support. If a V8 won't sit back against the firewall, you might have to move the rad or support forward to clear the motor. Then it'd almost be easier to use an aftermarket performance radiator anyway.

Or you could drop in a '56-62 235, and have more time to get the Pepsi out of the doorlocks.

Good luck,
chip

I haven no idea what engine I want to run yet. I'm pretty undecided right now. I have a 305 block sitting here that is in really good shape.

I'm considering just find a blown 305 and using the heads & intake etc. that way I can put the $$$ into doing the rest of the project.

then after I get everything done I can get the engine that I want and put in.