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Author
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Topic: Radiators
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swiss
Gearhead Posts: 236
From: Duluth, Ga
Registered: Feb 2004
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posted 04-15-2004 12:25 AM
 
Hello, I searched and reviewed all the old posts on Radiators. Now I am more confused then ever. I have a 65 with manual and will be adding airconditioning. The motor is will be a rebuilt 302 around 300+hp.
The car will be driven daily. I was looking at the be cool aluminum 2 row and 16" hi torque fan rate at about 2000 cfm and removing the mechanical fan. The water pump will be a driver side inlet. I live in Atlanta and it is hot. After all my reading, it was stated Alex would not ever put aluminum in a daily driver. Others have had a great deal of success with aluminum. Looking at some of the pictures of the last couple months of some great cars I see alot of what looks like stock radiators on 351's and built up 289 or 302's. Others say Aluminum is a throw away and stay with copper. If I went Aluminum I am down to Be Cool or the Summitt Racing generic. I was going to use the 23" Summitt to avoid cutting and put a Be-Cool puller fan on the system. Griffin with the epoxy seems to be not recommended. Now on the flip side the 3 core copper radiators seem to be a dime a dozen with a number people using them. Which one to get seems to be the harder question. If the Be Cool is worth the money then so be it. If I am wasting money then I have plenty of things to get fixed. Any suggestions. I like Gary's comment on a past post, make your first radiator your last. Steve
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Ryan Wilke
Gearhead Posts: 3237
From: Stanton, Michigan, zip 48888
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 04-15-2004 08:04 AM
I don't understand why a person should steer away from aluminum radiators for the street..  Haven't many domestic and foreign auto manufacturer's been installing them (although maybe with plastic tanks) as OE for many years now?Ryan 
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ddenton749
unregistered
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posted 04-15-2004 08:26 AM
My '93 Explorer came with an aluminum radiator and I replaced it for the first time at 198,000 miles. The replacement was aluminum also. ($150)
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65blowncoupe
Journeyman Posts: 13
From: Paola, KS
Registered: Apr 2004
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posted 04-15-2004 08:38 AM
I am running 450 hp with a street blower(daily driver) and now that I have a custom aluminum radiator my engine never gets above 155-165 no matter hard I drive it or how long it idles. See the pictures of it http://www.brigadegunleather.com/radiator.html
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indyphil
Gearhead Posts: 3394
From: Senoia, G.A. USA
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 04-15-2004 09:35 AM
I dont remember alex saying anything about radiators, but he doesnt recommend aluminum cylinder heads for daily drivers.the aftermarket aluminum rads should be able to reject more heat than the copper ones because they are bigger and the design is more efficient. If you have a 67 or up car you could use a big block radiator but for your appilcation the summits rads are great. By the way 2000CFM fan will not be enough, you will want the most fan you can buy. Instead of looking at what the CFM rating is, check the AMP draw. my fan draws only 13 amps and its not enough. You need something thats going to pull over 20 amps. Then when you think about it your alternator better be in top condition because 20 amps from a 50 amp alternator plus headlights, and accessories is going to be tough on it. Many folks upgrade to a 100amp unit with single wire hookup (internal voltage regulator). This has the bonus of getting your voltage regulator of the radiator support giving you more room for that jumbo aluminum radiator. the black magic fans pull some air, as do OEM ford taurus fans from the HO V6. Both are expensive new, but you can find some fans at junkyards. ------------------
'68 coupe, '66 289 C code
engine, edel 600cfm carb, performer intake, dual exhaust http://www.geocities.com/ottouk_77/68mustang.htm
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swiss
Gearhead Posts: 236
From: Duluth, Ga
Registered: Feb 2004
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posted 04-15-2004 11:14 AM
I am learning the hard way about upgrades. Someone had mentioned to me the alternator needs an upgrade, thanks for the heads up Indyphil.65BlownCoupe, who made your radiator, it is very nice. Is anyone running the generic Summitt Racing 23" radiator with a fan?
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RonnieT
Gearhead Posts: 912
From: Port Allen, La. 70767
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 04-15-2004 09:08 PM
Swiss, It all depends on the look you want as to what radiator you should get. A stock radiator and fan will work fine for your application as long as you have a good fitting shroud. If you want the look of a modified car then get the aluminum radiator and a electric fan. ------------------
Ronnie
69 mach1 351W-4V engineless at the time!
70 Torino GT 351C-4v with a "shaker"
Mustangs and More Member #23
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65blowncoupe
Journeyman Posts: 13
From: Paola, KS
Registered: Apr 2004
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posted 04-15-2004 11:06 PM
[QUOTE]Originally posted by swiss:
[B]
65BlownCoupe, who made your radiator, it is very nice. B][/QUOTEwww.the-fan-man.com It is called the sidewinder. You can put the motor just about anywhere you want. The fan sounds like a tornado when you turn it on. [This message has been edited by 65blowncoupe (edited 04-15-2004).]
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gmliebau
Gearhead Posts: 691
From: Port St. Lucie, FL
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 04-16-2004 07:49 AM
Swiss, I've got a '65 fastback with a 302 in it, but it's an auto without A/C, and I'm running a decent simple system you should consider. I live in southern Florida and drive mine everyday too. My car's got a 3-row radiator from NPD and a 165 degree thermostat. I added a bottle of "Water Wetter" and it runs a constant 165-170 degrees. It gets to around 180 when I'm sitting in traffic. Stock look and better-than-stock performance.
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dodgestang
Gearhead Posts: 207
From: Cecil County, MD, USA
Registered: Mar 2004
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posted 04-16-2004 09:26 AM
I think you are going to run into some small interferance issues with a standard aluminum that bolts into the stock location and an e-fan.I had to get the monting flange on my HD Griffen special to make the radiator sit into the radiator support further than the stock location to fit my 16 inch spal puller  ------------------
Nick
65FB 408c AOD D.T. Mustangs are like Rabbits, except mustangs can reproduce a-sexually.
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swiss
Gearhead Posts: 236
From: Duluth, Ga
Registered: Feb 2004
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posted 04-16-2004 01:07 PM
Dodgestang, nice picture, puts everything in perspective. Okay good answers, I am getting a clearer picture. Thanks to all who are givimg me real life experiance from which to formulate an action plan. What a great group of members.
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