Has anyone used the Man A Fre V-8 Radiator?

[Splash]

I am considering a Man A Fre V-8 Radiator as I have an overheating issue. It is 28" x 19" x 3"

If you have used this radiator I am looking for your experience.

Custom V-8 Radiator 4+Plus Mount

 

[Sharp38]

I have used the Man a Fre on a couple of builds and it seemed to work fine. On troublesome issues, I use a custom radiator that I have made from Griffin Radiator. It has two 1.5 in tubes. Cross flow. I then install the Spal Dual 11 inch fan. I run the driver's side fan off a themo switch in the engine set at 180 or 195. The second fan (passenger side) is connected to an adjustable thermostat switch that is inserted into a bung on the lower part of the radiator. I usually set it to fire at about 200 degrees, but depends on a lot of thing.

Don

 

[Snowdogyyz]

I looked at this fan as well. I ended up going with the 3 row aluminum Champion radiator off of ebay. I use a big 7 or 8 blade fan (not electric) and it now stays much, much cooler than before (even on high 90 degree days, which we've had a lot in NC this summer). I run a SBC 400... no shroud. The aluminum rad made a BIG difference. I was using the stock radiator, which was probably clogged and not working efficiently.

 

[Aaron17]

I bought the champion alum rad. Did not work with mech fan. So I deleted that an went with big electric with shroud. Seems to be working but at some point I would like to upgrade to the profits crusiers set up.

 

[Aaron17]

Pic of what I have.

 

[mukohvich]

Aaron where did you get that shroud?

 

[Aaron17]

Aaron where did you get that shroud?

I built it out of .050 alum then sealed all the way around with foil tape. Seems to help. Fan kicks on at 190 an goes right back off. Before shroud it would stay on all the time.

 

[Bret]

I presume you are running a SBC, depending on what power steering you are running (if any) you can easily fit a universal aluminum radiator and make a shroud. The universals are generally around $200 and you can make a shroud out of metal or fiberglass pretty easy. $500-$700 bones is a pretty big expense if you are willing/able to do a little bit yourself.

I ended up with a 19x26 Afco aluminum and a 7 blade clutch fan. I ran a big electric, then a flex, then a the clutch. Much happier overall with the clutch fan setup. I am running a warmed up 383 and it never went past 185 (with 180 deg thermostat) in the heat of Florida on the trails.

Heres some ideas. If you search "shroud" and SBC you should end up with lots of ideas and save quite a bit of money

https://forum.ih8mud.com/hardcore-corner/443409-radiatior-mount-shroud.html

 

[caliwakeboarder]

i had a two core alum that i bought on ebay and the guy told me it would run my 350 no problem, well it got to about 240 all the time and im running an electric fan that pushes, so i looked up radiator barn and they make a 4 core for the cruiser, even with that it still wants to run over two hundred, i heard that pulling is way better than pushing on the fan, i might just put the flex fan back on it, any suggestions.

 

[pbgbottle]

i use the radiator barn 4 core brass rad .works on my V8 bolts right in .




..

 

[fieldsken1]

the overheating might be something else all together. might want to check the thermostat and the other things like how close is the fan to the radiator, what kind of pitch is the fan blades and so on. maybe you just need to use a fan shroud and that will fix it. how about some pictures

 

[Bret]

i had a two core alum that i bought on ebay and the guy told me it would run my 350 no problem, well it got to about 240 all the time and im running an electric fan that pushes, so i looked up radiator barn and they make a 4 core for the cruiser, even with that it still wants to run over two hundred, i heard that pulling is way better than pushing on the fan, i might just put the flex fan back on it, any suggestions.

There are more cooling threads than you can shake a stick at. Get a shroud, and use a mechanical puller or a big electric. Be sure to check the other stuff mentioned. What size of radiator?

 

[Snowdogyyz]

Here is mine... works like a champ and much less than $800!

 

[Aaron17]

Here is mine... works like a champ and much less than $800!

Same as mine. I couldnt get it to cool with mech fan with out shrould. But my motor is farther back an when I ditched mech fan I redid shock tower. An the way that is it's pretty much impossible to run mech fan.

 

[Splash]

Thanks for all the input. I have used three different radiators most recently being the Champion. I have a 3,000 CFM electric fan with a shroud. The engine stays at 195 which is my goal while in town or on the trail. I only run hot when heading up grades to Tahoe. My research indicates my only option left is a larger radiator with more capacity and more surface. The one in Snowdogyyz picture appears to be stock in size which is about 5" narrower than the Man A Fre V8 radiator.

Any additional insite would be appreciated.

 

[Snowdogyyz]

You are correct... that radiator is made to fit into the stock radiator mount.

 

[caliwakeboarder]

i will get some pics on tomorrow, im running a 14 inch electric fan mounted on the front of the rad. it ran the stock rad and a flex fan on it, when i replaced the rad i didnt have the clearance for the fan anymore, thats why i went electric. im going to remount the rad and make room for the flex fan, i replaced the water pump and the thermostat.