The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Radiator ?????

Hey Fellow Bolters,

I am about to embark on a 59 Apache "Summer Project"

I am seeing more oil on the Garage floor than I want so; I am going to work on the Main seal etc. BUT I was thinking while I do this (I installed Vintage Air last summer) I really could use a "Heavy Duty" Radiator and fan Shroud. The Ol 235 runs a bit warm and rough when I run the A/C. :mad:

Any of you guys install a Heavy Duty radiator within the past "oh say" 4 years or so?

If so.........
1) which one did you get?
2) where did you get it?
3) do you use a fan shroud as well?

any ideas?

Cliff59

cliff59: Have you made a contribution to the bolt?? If so JimCarter will give you a 10% discount on purchases.

I'm not sure about fitting your 59 but I just purchased a new radiator, 4 row, from JimCarter for my 52Panel. They had gone up from 308 to $348 but since I bought it during the 15% off sale at Carters I ended up with under $300 in it. Can't get one reworked/recored for much less than that. I'd check around and see what your money can buy though before taking the plunge.
I also believe one of the vendors sales fan shrouds for your model......
Someone else will chime in here shortly and give you all the scoop....I'm sure!

4 row "huh"? COOL

I didn't know they made a 4 row!

Cliff59

Just a suggestion...before you go spending a bunch of money on a new radiator you might check out a couple things. First of all, I run an Old Aire system in my 54 truck and have NO overheating problems. However, I did make sure that I had about an inch clearance between the condensor and the radiator, that I sealed the top of the core support shroud so I don't loose any airflow.
In addition, I'm running a flex-a-lite FLX-1615P 15" six blade fan from Summit ($25.00) and only see a 15 degree increase during extended periods of idling. I did add a pusher fan just in case....it's on a manual switch and have used it only a couple of times during heavy traffic backups.

My radiator is a 3 core from LMC....too much (thick) radiator with a condensor in front may impede air flow. If you're running a stock 4 blade fan I'd check out that specific fan as a replacement. On my adaptor plate, early pump 1" snout I had to file out the fan hole to 1".

With summer knocking at the front door you don't want to be worrying about boil-overs or going without your air!

Dave

Dave... Do you think the 4 row in our TEXAS/FLORIDA heat and with my www.classicautoair.com would be.. "too thick"??

I am also thinking of a pusher fan... That may be all I need?

Regards

Cliff59

An extra row of cooling fins can't hurt. What do you mean by "too thick"? You think it might put it too close to the condenser? You can put spacers on the condenser mounts if necessary.

I think all you really need is to have your radiator flushed and install a shroud.

I think at "air flow" through the condensor and radiator are critical and I've talked to several folks who went with the 4 row radiators without much success. My setup with the 3 row and the 6 blade fan keep my truck at thermostat temps on the road and might see a 10-15 degree increase in temperature when idling for extended periods with the A/C running. FYI...I'm only running a 6 pound cap and have never had any boil-over issues.

The front mounted pusher fan actually blocks air flow and causes air turbulence at speed, but will drop the temp back to normal (180) between traffic lights. IMO...running the 6 blade fan with the 3 row radiator should cover most all of your overheating issues. If it doesn't, it's a fairly simple job to add the "pusher" fan if needed. I put mine pusher in when I added the a/c so can't speak to temps and air-flow without one.

Dave

Cletis hit it on the mark! A shroud will make a ton of difference. Before spending a lot of time and money try that.

Just wondering how these replacement radiators looked and fit compared to original. I would like to get a new one for my 59 but want to make sure it looks original.
Thanks
Brian M

Where can I find a shroud for my 49?

Don't know about the task force radiators but my bro-in-law bought one for his '62 from Jim Carter and it's an exact fit.

I don't think shrouds were invented in the 50's so it would have to be an after market thing. We used to build them them with a piece of flat 14 gauge, cut a hole a little larger than the fan and weld about a 1" hoop around the hole. Not very pretty but it kept the GMC "glass heads" from cracking.

Cliff, you might want to consider recore.