aluminum radiator experience

[Aussi440]

Guys,

I installed a Classic Auto AC system on my 68 Charger, I have a 4 core radiator on it and now I have a fan clearance problem, since the radiator is thicker, I can't run the stock fan with clutch or even a flex fan b/c  have to clear the compressor and now the fan is to close to the radiator.

I am looking into an OEM raditor from Year One, or my local parts house, so I won't have any clearance problems. 

Has anyone had any experience with Summit Racing "Direct Fit" radiators?  Do they mount right up?  How does it cool?  Can you run the stock fan with clutch?  Do the hoses connect perfectly?  What size did you get?  Any modifications you had to make?  Clearance problems?

Any recommendations for radiators?

[devilgear]

I bought 2 from Summit in June and I can tell you they DO NOT bolt right in.Not even close.I got mine from Radiatems or something close to that...HA.It pretty much bolted right in. The only trouble I had was finding a good non plastic drain plug.They were in mm and an odd size...Other than that it is great..

[MoparGuy]

I also installed a Classic Auto AC system on my 68 Charger and now I have a fan clearance problem!.  I've ordered an Optima 3 core brass rad with their triple flow option, shroud & electric fan from US Radiator.  They have a website & also market themselves as Cool Craft, http://www.coolcraft.com/ (good website with lots of info).  Check it out!  The nice thing is they will custom make your rad at a reasonable price.  I'm picking mine up in 2 weeks so I guess I'll find out how good they are!

Keep driving those old Chargers!
MoparGuy

[Corellian Corvette]

Have the same configuration (68 charger with Classic Auto Air A/C) and the same problem. My dad figured out how to fix this problem in like 5 minutes with $0 cost.

If you use the fan spacer per the kit, it will push the fan too close to the radiator. If you don't, when you rev the engine and the fan blades bend it hits the center of the compressor.

Solution - he made a template out of cardboard, got some metal cutters, and cut (radiused) the corners of the fan so they are slightly rounded instead of square. The template was made to insure that the cut was identical on each blade and keep balanced. We used a fine file to dress and smooth the edges, used a little touch-up paint on the bare metal to avoid and rust, and PRESTO. Problem solved. Took about 20min all-in.

Put the fan out WITHOUT the spacer, plenty of clearance, no hitting the compressor and works great.

As for a radiator - I just got one of those cheapie Champion aluminum ones off ebay, painted it black and put a stock cap on. I noticed an immediate improvement from my original re-cored brass radiator.

Two things about the Champion radiator

1. You're going to need to put a slight spacer between the core support and the radiator itself. The welds at the tanks bulge a little and it won't fit flush. It's really minor - I just used some hardware store rubber spacers. No big deal.
2. The radiator side supports are thicker for strength, which means the stock fan shroud mouting clips won't fit. Pre-fit your fan shroud before installing the radiator!. I ended up tapping the holes and putting little studs in to bolt the shroud on.

Neither of these are deal-brakers and can be dealt with easily. Would have been better if I'd known before I put it on, but if I did it again it would take no time to deal with.

[Finn]

I took apart another fan and swapped the neck because it was shorter...
Now it JUST clears so we'll see what happens. Might just stick with the dual electrics that came with my radiator (champion cooling, tripe core).