I've got my V-8 driveline installed and I'm looking ahead at some options for a radiator. Mine didn't come with one but I do have a used 55 radiator that needs some repair. I haven't had it checked but it appears solid but need some repair on the bottom corners. Is this worth recoring or should I go with some type of aftermarket. I've seen a lot of you guys with good looking (but expensive) aftermarket aluminum type radiators. I though about something like a Manafree. Is it worth it? Suggestions and pics of yours appreciated.Thanks
Pig V-8 Radiator Options
- Thread starter mtrdud
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I think FC and BK were discussing radiators just the other day...
Pirate4x4.Com Bulletin Board - View Single Post - finally building my 55!
Pirate4x4.Com Bulletin Board - View Single Post - finally building my 55!
Howdy! I have recored my original radiator over 10 years ago, and it has worked great ever since. The new cores are higher density and that gives them 50 - 100 % more cooling ability than original. I have also done several other things, as I run in the desert when it is 115+ out. I was limited to a 15" fan due to the position of the lower radiator hose outlet. I had it moved to the bottom of the tank with a 90 degree turn on it. I am currently running a 19" fan, solid, 6 blade like an old stocker, but no clutch as the fan is too close to the radiator. I am running truck pulleys on the engine. Bigger crank pulley and smaller water pump pulley makes it run about 30% faster. Alternator is faster too, so lots of juice for driving lights when the engine is just idling. Also, I run a FlowCooler water pump. I highly recommend these as the single most effective upgrade I have done. Less than 1/2 the $$$ of the fancy brands. I run a 180 degree t-stat because when I run a 160 the engine never warms up when the temp is in the 40's. John
P.S. I tried a big electric pusher fan, but it didn't do much good. I also am not running any kind of shroud, but I would recommend that you do run one, as I am just lucky!!
P.S. I tried a big electric pusher fan, but it didn't do much good. I also am not running any kind of shroud, but I would recommend that you do run one, as I am just lucky!!
Howdy! The Summit rad is not even close to a direct fit. Yes you can make it fit, but it will take some serious custom fab work. Stocker has tanks on top and bottom. Summit is side tanks. It is much wider. That doesn't mean it's a bad thing, it just means it is not a direct bolt in. John
- Thread starter
- #7
Radiator
Yeah, I figured that would be too good to be true! I'm going to stop by a local radiator shop tomorrow and talk to the guys there about my old one and the options and cost. After that I will weigh that versus a new one. The one I have is really not bad.Thanks
Yeah, I figured that would be too good to be true! I'm going to stop by a local radiator shop tomorrow and talk to the guys there about my old one and the options and cost. After that I will weigh that versus a new one. The one I have is really not bad.Thanks
- Thread starter
- #9
Pig Radiator
I contacted BK about how he set up his Summit radiator and he was nice enough to send some pics and explain how he did it and actually it's not going to be that hard. I compaired measurements of the stock vs. the Summit and it was REAL close. Got the Summit yesterday in two days for $169.95 plus shipping. I believe this is going to end being a real nice set-up with a little engineering. What is required since this is a cross-flow and no side mounts, is that I am adding a "rest" or channel below the Summit to set on and be attached to. This channel will attach to braces under the front clip. I will attach some fabricated brackets on the top side. I may add something on the sides but I don't think it will be necessary. I have cut the channel and I am going to drill it and get bolts tomorrow. At that point I will include some pictures. I believe this will end up being a very viable option for those needing a radiator especially since it was going to cost me $300 for a recore.
I contacted BK about how he set up his Summit radiator and he was nice enough to send some pics and explain how he did it and actually it's not going to be that hard. I compaired measurements of the stock vs. the Summit and it was REAL close. Got the Summit yesterday in two days for $169.95 plus shipping. I believe this is going to end being a real nice set-up with a little engineering. What is required since this is a cross-flow and no side mounts, is that I am adding a "rest" or channel below the Summit to set on and be attached to. This channel will attach to braces under the front clip. I will attach some fabricated brackets on the top side. I may add something on the sides but I don't think it will be necessary. I have cut the channel and I am going to drill it and get bolts tomorrow. At that point I will include some pictures. I believe this will end up being a very viable option for those needing a radiator especially since it was going to cost me $300 for a recore.
Yea, I am still alive and doing well
Getting ready for crawling season
On my V8 pig conversion I run the stock radiator, which is bigger than a 40 radiator. The TBI engine came with a stock chevy clutch fan which works just fine. I have no shroud.......yet, but one will come when I find the time. With that stock setup, my pig runs just fine and barely makes it past 190, the setting of the thermostat. I ran that taurus fan for a long while, but it just pulls way too many amps.
Getting ready for crawling seasonOn my V8 pig conversion I run the stock radiator, which is bigger than a 40 radiator. The TBI engine came with a stock chevy clutch fan which works just fine. I have no shroud.......yet, but one will come when I find the time. With that stock setup, my pig runs just fine and barely makes it past 190, the setting of the thermostat. I ran that taurus fan for a long while, but it just pulls way too many amps.
- Thread starter
- #11
Check this out!
Here is my version of mounting the Summit radiator we have been talking about. I used a rectangular piece of stainless that I picked up and bolted it up onto a lower brace. The radiator basically sits on the channel as if it was made for it. I adapted some brackets I had to mount the radiator at the top front, and I riveted it at the bottom rear. Let me tell you it is solid and fits real good and should be way better than stock and a lot cheaper and lighter. I've yet to come up with a shroud but that's next after I put the clip back on. Also as you can see the front clip was cleaned up, rust treated and delt with, and it was primed and painted. I'm putting it back on tomorrow and radiator hoses hooked up. I have more pictures of the radiator set-up if anybody is interested in doing the same thing.
Here is my version of mounting the Summit radiator we have been talking about. I used a rectangular piece of stainless that I picked up and bolted it up onto a lower brace. The radiator basically sits on the channel as if it was made for it. I adapted some brackets I had to mount the radiator at the top front, and I riveted it at the bottom rear. Let me tell you it is solid and fits real good and should be way better than stock and a lot cheaper and lighter. I've yet to come up with a shroud but that's next after I put the clip back on. Also as you can see the front clip was cleaned up, rust treated and delt with, and it was primed and painted. I'm putting it back on tomorrow and radiator hoses hooked up. I have more pictures of the radiator set-up if anybody is interested in doing the same thing.
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Howdy! MTRDUD, that is a tidy fit if I ever saw one! I even went out and looked at my stock radiator cause yours looked kind of hi in the picture, but NOT. It may be just a frog hair lower than mine. Very Nice. John
- Thread starter
- #13
Radiator
John,
I have an old 55 radiator that I used as a guide when I started mocking this up to make sure that I didn't get too high with it. Actually it is just a hair lower than stock. I got restless and went back out to the shop after the last post and decided to put the front clip on. I encountered a problem that I didn't forsee with the saginaw steering box that is mounted right under my radiator rest. I was able to mark and grind out some holes for the adjustment bolt and two other bolts on top of the steering box to fit up into. I don't have pictures but it worked like a charm. The front clip along with the radiator is in place ready to be bolted up tomorrow.
John,
I have an old 55 radiator that I used as a guide when I started mocking this up to make sure that I didn't get too high with it. Actually it is just a hair lower than stock. I got restless and went back out to the shop after the last post and decided to put the front clip on. I encountered a problem that I didn't forsee with the saginaw steering box that is mounted right under my radiator rest. I was able to mark and grind out some holes for the adjustment bolt and two other bolts on top of the steering box to fit up into. I don't have pictures but it worked like a charm. The front clip along with the radiator is in place ready to be bolted up tomorrow.
Howdy! Boy, I wish I had read this post about an hour ago. I just closed up my rig so I could come in for supper. I THINK my saginaw is back far enough to clear it, but I'll have to look just for curiosity's sake. I am fine with my cooling system for now, but if I ever get a fresh engine with a lot more HP, then I may have to reconsider. John
Nice work! Loooks like your project is coming along nicely, your front clip looks great. I'll probably end up re-coring my stocker, because it currently has the stock AC cooler in front of it, which I also plan to keep, so it will be alot easier for me to kep all ter stock mounts, etc.
- Thread starter
- #16
Radiator
Yep!, it is coming along nicely and the big day of firing it up is just around the corner. I thought of using the stocker but the radiator shop said at least $300 to recore! I'm real pleased with this set-up so far. I've also bolted up my fan but I'm not sure as to what to do about a shroud. I have a stock pig shroud and the stock chevy shroud.
Yep!, it is coming along nicely and the big day of firing it up is just around the corner. I thought of using the stocker but the radiator shop said at least $300 to recore! I'm real pleased with this set-up so far. I've also bolted up my fan but I'm not sure as to what to do about a shroud. I have a stock pig shroud and the stock chevy shroud.