The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Best Radiator For 56-3200/350?

Hi,
I've been getting mixed opinions on which radiator to use in our 56-3200 with a 350 engine and we eventually want to install air conditioning and we live in Las Vegas where temps hit 117 degrees in the summer. Thre is standard, Desert Cooler, High efficiency, and high efficiency desert cooler all available in several sizes. Some folks have mentioned that although more rows give more surface area for cooling, more rows can cut down the air flow. Which way should we go? Also it appears that shrouds are only available for certain sizes. I'm confused and only want to make this purchase once.
Thanks,
Gene & Jr

Last spring I lost my old radiator to age and had to replace. I called Tapp Inc. (336) 861-9284. They live in South Carolina and I think they build NASCAR and other racing radiators. They really helped me to understand what I needed, then built me a custom radiator to my spec. drawing. Worked OK this summer after I put a shroud on it. They will also build you a custom alum. shroud for about $125.00 extra. $489.00 to the door ain't to bad for a deliverd custom radiator

A freind of mine has a 1961 Chevy truck with a 496 cubic inch, 850 hp engine. He called Be Cool (www.becool.com) and told them the year of the truck and what engine/transmission combo he was using, and they custom built an aluminum radiator that simply bolted in with absolutely no modifications. This truck was his daily driver for a while, and never overheated in the 100+ West Texas heat. I don't remember the price, but it was very reasonable.

Also, Be Cool suggested using a two-core radiator with 1" coils instead of a four-core with smaller coils. They claim that the air is too hot by the time it passes through the other coils to cool the last coil in a four core radiator.

Hope that helps.

Phil