I have a '66 SD which, although it is rough, is pretty much all original under the hood (with the exception of the aircleaner and decals). About 25 years ago I replaced the rad with a used one which is no longer doing the job (and looks like crap.) My question is...should I go with a steel re-pro, or a much more efficient (and less expensive) aluminum rad?...
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"So when you spot violence, or bigotry, or intolerance or fear or just garden-variety hatred or ignorance, just look it in the eye and think... The good outnumber you, and we always will." Patton Oswalt
Go with the aluminum rad way more heat dissapation and they have bigger tubes for better flow compared to a recore brass vesion .The next cure for heat problems is a shroud and a proper fan. A rad shop owner i know ,good guy swears buy the GM 7 blade clucth fans.
Go with the aluminum rad way more heat dissapation and they have bigger tubes for better flow compared to a recore brass vesion .The next cure for heat problems is a shroud and a proper fan. A rad shop owner i know ,good guy swears buy the GM 7 blade clucth fans.
Are those the 7 blade ones found in the '70's Chevy trucks?... thx for the feedback all...
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"So when you spot violence, or bigotry, or intolerance or fear or just garden-variety hatred or ignorance, just look it in the eye and think... The good outnumber you, and we always will." Patton Oswalt
If you have changed your alternator and PS setup, ie: gone to the long water pump instead of the origional short one, you , like me, will probably have issues with a 4 core BB rad! There is not much room, however a small spacer on the front of the waterpump, and a small flex fan with shroud, it will work!! (its been a fun experience figuring all this out!!) As far as aluminum goes, you can paint it black to look origional if needed. Another trick I learned, if your hot rod never sees winter (heated storage) all you need is @ 10% antifreeze and the rest DI water and a bottle of Water Wetter. This will drop your running temp by @ 10-15 deg! Seems thet water gets better contact with steel than antifreeze, and allows for better heat disperal from the block! Who would have known!
The seven blade fans were offered on almost anything that had a V8 especially trucks and full size cars, they also came on my car 78 TA with a poncho 400. Should be available in most wrecking yards.
I assume that the aluminum is stamped to look like original (mine is)
and aluminum is clearly more efficient and less expensive, and if you really want it to look 'original' you can spray it black, so I would recommend aluminum.
Dave
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1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
The seven blade fans were offered on almost anything that had a V8 especially trucks and full size cars, they also came on my car 78 TA with a poncho 400. Should be available in most wrecking yards.
Got one from an older Chevy V8 Van yesterday scraped it down and painted it today. Will pop it on tomorrow, or possibly wait until the new rad is installed. ($6.00 for the fan!)
Thx all...
__________________
"So when you spot violence, or bigotry, or intolerance or fear or just garden-variety hatred or ignorance, just look it in the eye and think... The good outnumber you, and we always will." Patton Oswalt
1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod