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rmfowler1



Joined: 25 Sep 2014
Posts: 11




PostPosted: Mon Dec 01, 2014 8:01 pm    Post subject: Radiator Reply with quote

I'm looking at upgrading from a stock 4 row radiator to an aluminum radiator for my stock 69 GTO 400 engine. My question is which radiator is recommended and do I need electric fans to go with it?

Thanks,
Mike
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Larry
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Joined: 01 Jun 2006
Posts: 4768




PostPosted: Mon Dec 01, 2014 10:22 pm    Post subject: Radiator Reply with quote

I have been doing a lot of radiator investigation lately as I street rod my '40 Pontiac... which will also get a stock '73 T/A 400. The main thing I have learned is... THEY AIN'T CHEAP!

My first question is, do you suspect you aren't getting the cooling needed with your stock 4-row radiator? Then I wonder if you do need extra cooling, why not go with electric fans(s) and the stock unit? Is your shroud in place too?

For a stock 400, however, all stock radiator and fan should be fine. A change where it is not needed is not necessarily money well spent.

But, if you just like the look of the aluminum radiator, you will find that a good one will probably be only 2-rows-- however, they are usually 1/2" to 1" tubes, so do a lot of cooling. Even better than the aluminum radiator is the Walker brand that uses copper. But get ready to spend close to a grand for one.

There are lots of manufacturers making aluminum radiators, but the quality is all over the place... however the price is not-- it is always high!

I would stay with good condition or new stock radiator, add fans, and if you have an automatic transmission draw off some of that heat with an additional external trans fluid cooler. With the money saved, buy something else you really want!

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rmfowler1



Joined: 25 Sep 2014
Posts: 11




PostPosted: Tue Dec 02, 2014 9:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

My Goat is in a thousand pieces right now, as I am in the middle of doing a frame off. I dont know if it even has cooling issues or not, but have been doing a lot reading up on aluminum radiators and this seems to be the wave of the future in cooling. I like your idea about using my old radiator and adding electric fans to it. I plan on making this car a daily driver, so I just want to make sure their are no over heating issues.

Thanks
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Larry
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 02, 2014 10:59 am    Post subject: Radiator Reply with quote

I think you will be just fine, as long as your original radiator is thoroughly cleaned, etc. Extra fans can't hurt either.

I have run 400 engines in various Pontiacs down here in Florida in the heat of summer with A/C and only had one issue; that was on a 125k engine that I had to replace the water pump (normal). None of these cars (about 4 of them) had the radiators removed and cleaned either (at least by me); they were as I purchased them as daily drivers, not restored cars.

I have heard people claim that all Pontiacs run hot, but have never experienced anything out of the ordinary. A good clean system with good operating parts will be fine.

Make sure if you have the radiator cleaned that they "rod it out" too. That is, remove the tanks and clean each passageway with a very fine wire/rod. My dad tried that himself on our '57 Ford a long time ago-- when he soldered it all back together, put water in it, started the car... it looked like a sprinkling can out the grille!

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