55, SBC, Radiator

[73fj55]

So I am getting ready to put the 350 back into my 55. I do not have a stock radiator that I can put back in there. What do you guys run? I have been told that the radiator for a 350 has been discontinued.....

thoughts

 

[bandy rooster]

do a search!...


i don't know if the space is the same in a 55 as a 40, but this has been discussed alot of times.. check here and check pirate4x4 for "cooling a V8."

radiatorbarn.com has some

griffen makes alum. radiators

summit sells universal rad.'s

 

[cardinal fang]

I run an FJ55 stock radiator with 4 rows and Taurus fan. No problems, but I haven't run it in Sacramento's 110 summer days yet. Remember, the most important part about cooling a V8 in a cruiser is the shroud. That is why I like the Taurus fan because it comes with the shroud attached to it.

 

[ridgerunner]

I ran a 4 (re)cored '79 radiator in my '73 with a 350, high volume water pump, and a clutch fan with a well built shroud. Before I loaded it down, the temp was around 180-190* with a 180* thermostat. Weighted down I'd bump 230 in the summer. In sand, 250. Yikes.

If I was to do it again, I'd go with a howe or griffin radiator with a taurus fan. Don't dink around with a stock radiator. Alluminum radiators are fairly cheap insurance and fit pretty well.

 

[Gumby]

Taurus fan and dirttrackthunder aluminum.

 

[numtel]

I was having overheating problems with a stock radiator so I got an aluminum radiator off of ebay. It works great except when I'm crawling and it's 100* outside. I need to get some sort of electric fan on there for this summer.

 

[Rice]

I was having overheating problems with a stock radiator so I got an aluminum radiator off of ebay. It works great except when I'm crawling and it's 100* outside. I need to get some sort of electric fan on there for this summer.

A carefully picked mechanical fan will pull much better than electric (provided your engine is not too far back).

 

[bkfj40]

A carefully picked mechanical fan will pull much better than electric (provided your engine is not too far back).

except when crawling and you're not going 80 mph down the interstate....

they both have their advantages, but somehow, I doubt you've stood next to a tauras fan when it kicks in on high - you wouldn't be saying that the mechanical fan pulls better...

bk

 

[Rice]

except when crawling and you're not going 80 mph down the interstate....

they both have their advantages, but somehow, I doubt you've stood next to a tauras fan when it kicks in on high - you wouldn't be saying that the mechanical fan pulls better...

bk

Have experience with both. A Taurus fan does a very good job and, you're right, sitting still or close to it presents a special challenge for cooling. Done right a mechanical fan will never allow overheating.

I need to add, however, electric fans have a particular advantage for deep water crossings when they can be switched off. I would suggest any plan for water crossings eliminate using a mechanical fan.

 

[HogDriver]

Since we are on the subject... can MkVIII fans fit in the 40's dimensions without too much effort. I'm looking into that or the taurus. I was thinking about custom making one for my mech fan to fit but I do like the thought of electric/shroud together...

Cheers

 

[nat]

I have an aluminum radiator in my FJ55 and have yet to crack the 190 mark.

 

[hi50phd]

AL Radiator

I was having overheating problems with a stock radiator so I got an aluminum radiator off of ebay. It works great except when I'm crawling and it's 100* outside. I need to get some sort of electric fan on there for this summer.

Was this from Universal? They have low advertised prices and claim that their units are 100% welded, no epoxy.