radiators?

[70kracken]

i'm sure this question has been asked before, but i'm having some cooling problems and need to get it fixed quick.  which aluminum radiator is the easiest to put in.  i've read that some you have to relocate the battery and i don't want to do anything like that, i wanna pull my radiator out and put a new one in.  any one have anything like that?

[TylerCharger69]

With the proper radiator....you shouldn't have to relocate anything...should be a simple transplant!!! 

[deputycrawford]

I had mine re-cored locally in Toledo, Ohio at City Auto Radiator. I got to keep my "numbers" radiator and I didn't have to fabricate anything to make it work. Turn around time was a few days too.

[70kracken]

i've already had mine worked over to a four core and it still runs to hot.  i also understand that if i got the right one, it would go right in.  thats what i'm trying to find.

[deputycrawford]

Two questions. Are you running a radiator shroud? and how close is the fan to the radiator. Oh, and please tell me you aren't running a god forsaken flex fan.

[TylerCharger69]

Hey wait!!!..lol...I run a flex fan and it does great for me

[dodge freak]

I hear those flex fans can brake up after 6000 rpms. Run a couple of electrics myself and it never gets over 90 here, most of the time its no more than 75 so they work great for me.

[TylerCharger69]

I'd like to go with dual electrics....but...well....I have what's known as "thin wallet syndrome"   The temp  sometimes gets up in excess of 100 degrees during the summer here, and the high humidity levels  from the gulf are pretty unbearable at times.  But  average summer temp  usually is about 98  to 100 degrees  on sunny days

[dodge freak]

Well if you don't have a cooling problem I leave it alone. If I stop with the motor running for more than a few Min's. the temp slowly goes up a little, never goes the even halfway but again its not too hot here in Michigan. If its was 100 I would not drive it-has no A C so I am ok. Think its been like 10 years since it got that hot. We get 2 weeks of 90's but then its 80 after that it seems.

[deputycrawford]

Sorry Tyler, I didn't mean to sound too harsh. The flex fan is the most inefficiant and power robbing item in the cooling system. A clutch fan and radiator shroud does wonders for the system. If you don't have a problem then dodge freak is right. Don't mess with it.

[TylerCharger69]

The flex fan robs power?......I didn't know that....And  no....you didn't sound harsh at all....lol   no worries

[deputycrawford]

Cool tyler. Yep, the clutch on the fan allows the fan to stay at a certain speed and lets the engine rev past it. The free wheeling effect keeps drag off the water pump too. Grab a flex fan and spacer in your wrist. Turn it back and forth as fast as you can. It is very hard on your wrist. Grab a clutch fan set up by the hub and spin it back an forth in your wrist. You will feel the difference. I broke a waterpump before. I heard the fan hit the radiator at 60MPH. I never grabbed an ignition key so fast in my life......lol

[TylerCharger69]

so...the best application, other than the clutch type fan then would be dual electrics??  That way  there is NO stress on the water pump...just an educated guess....and I never have to worry about radiator damage

[deputycrawford]

I would agree with that also. Firefighter or Chryco would have the final say but Yes. I believe you are completely right on that one.

[Wakko]

Hang on a sec.  WHEN does the car run hot?  Traffic? Highway?  Do you have a thermostat and if so, what temp is it?  A four core radiator in good shape should be plenty for your average street vehicle if it's the proper size.  What's your engine setup?    A drop in aluminum radiator will be over $400.

[grouseman]

Yep, hold the phone right there.  If you've already got a new 4 core rad, an alum rad wont' cure it.  You've got issues elsewhere.  Describe your problem as much as possible, when, where, rpm, speeds, etc. and tell us what you've done so far, what parts are good/new/questionable, and what if any work you've done recently.  Don't forget simple things like lower rad hose support spring, or thermostat in upside down, or air pockets in the system. 

As an example, a buddy had a '68 350 Pontiac that was overheating no matter what he did.  He replaced or upgraded just about everything.  Turns out that an internal baffle plate wasn't clearanced properly.  He fixed it, and then his problem was running too cool. 

[70kracken]

i had my radiator built about four years ago.  it has a small leak by the cap and i know that doesn't help, but it has always run hot.  i have a high flow aluminum water pump, dual electric fans and my thermostat is in the right way.  i thought about running a small block water pump pulley and re routing my belts to get my pump to turn faster.  i also know that the pulley wont bolt up, i would mark the holes with my pulley and drill out new holes and weld up old holes to make it work.  the only thing i haven't tried is a aluminum radiator.  i hear that those are the best way to go.  i no longer have room for a shroud. 

[TylerCharger69]

No shroud???    There's your troubles right there!!!

[deputycrawford]

If the dual electric fans have some type of shroud then you should be ok there. Are you able to step backwards and put the stock shroud and fan set up back on it? Test it out that way and let us know if the problem goes away. Pics of your current setup would help too. I got off the subject of your first post for awhile and ended up not posting complete thoughts and I appologize. An aluminum radiator is not really needed most of the time for a street application. They look cool though . make sure your electric fans cover most of you radiator. I mean like over 75% of it. That could be one problem. Anyway, good luck.

[dodge freak]

As to Deputycrawford reply that aluminum in not needed, me and him are up here in the north. How it is in AZ where its 110 degress  everyday don't know but I do know my car would over heat there. Heck thats 30 degrees hotter that here, when the temp drop 30 degrees from 80 I have my heater on. You need A C also and that makes the motor run hotter yet.

[deputycrawford]

Different parts of the country do have different needs. You are right there. I am just drawing off my own experience. I have the stock 26" wide radiator and the 7 blade clutch fan. I have idled in the staging lanes for minutes at a time, then floored it for just over 12 seconds. I never see much over 200 degrees ever. Even in 95 degree heat in traffic. I do have a new water pump, fan clutch, re-cored rad, hoses, and freshly cleaned block. That might make the difference too.