The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop 47-54 Chevy truck radiator for v8 applications

running a 50 chevy pickup with a camaro subframe, SBC with short water pump set up. I was using a Chevy Duty desert cooler radiator. Worked fine but would run hot and burp if in crawling traffic. On second tear down and was given a Walker cobra radiator. Not fitting real well with the engine, not enough room to run a mechanical fan and or an electric fan. Really dont want to run a pusher. Debating going back to a desert cooler and mechnical fan. Any one have any idea's or used a walker before? Was also considering the aluminum rad from Chevy duty but wasnt sure if it was better or worse on fit and running hot? I would be Interested in some feedback

Do you have a fan shroud? It will really make a difference. I'm running a 350 in my AD and it lowered the temp by 10 degrees.

I ran an original 6 cyl. radiator for years. Took a trip from Atl to Maine with out heating probs. Even in NYC. Had external trans and AC coolers. My setup is a SBC in a '70 Monte Carlo front clip. I am rebuilding truck and had local radiator guru install new core. LOL.. old cap was 7psi, and it worked for nearly 30 yrs. No shroud, no electric fan.I may try a shroud this go round to see if temp drops any.

I love my American Eagle aluminum radiator in my '50. It is rated to 400 HP if I remember correctly, and runs at 180 degrees all day in the Idaho heat with an electric pusher fan. It fits in the original location too.

Best of all, ~$180.00 shipped to the door!

You did not mention what water pump you run. I use an Edelbrock high flow short pump. I have run Stewart pumps as well with great success. The high flow impeller design does make difference.

I have an aluminum radiator from US Radiator with a spal 16 inch puller fan. The fan has the curved blades and is the highest cfm 16 in they make. I have the largest AC condenser I could fit and a B&M alumium external trans cooler mounted in front. So the airflow has to go through those first. The radiator has a trans cooler that is plumbed in as well. The fan sits as high as I could mount it to the top of the radiator since it is a down flow. I could not fit a shroud but would have if I could. The trans cooler sits low as possible in front. Mostly for fitmentg and appearance.

The engine is a ZZ383 rated at 425 hp. I run a 180 stant thermostat and have an overflow tank. Never runs hot even with our 90-100 degree weather.

I think 49panel has the best tip on running external coolers. 1951 GMC with 500 Cadillac, GOOD stock radiator, external cooler, a-c and home made shroud, has been going since 1976 with no heating problem in 105 Texas heat.

I'm running a Walker Cobra with air, 350, 330 horse, 700R4 tranny cooled by the radiator. I'm using a pull for the rad and a push for the condenser. In the Texas heat 90-105 she runs 190 at long idle with outside temp at 102. Hope this helps.

I adapted a stock truck radiator into my '52 3/4 ton. I fabricated my own sheetmetal fan shroud around it, and it never runs hot, not even sitting in traffic for extended periods of time. I was running a 350, but that wore out and now I have a 283 in it.

If you can get the aftermarket radiator that fits in the stock location, that would be best. But it is expensive, around $600 bucks I think. Maybe in your case, ADpartsman, an electric pusher fan on a switch inside the cab might help keep its cool when you're stuck in traffic.

thanks for all the input!