Overheating troubles. What's the best aluminum radiator for a BB?

I have a stock small block radiator with a Black Magic electric fan. Now the temperatures are rising, it won't keep up. What's the easiest aluminum radiator to retrofit? Thanks!

I don't know about a BB, but I am using a generic Summit with my 383 and it runs 170 degrees all the time with a Taurus fan.

Dave

I used a Be Coolradiator in my '69 396 El Camino. Added in a little "water wetter" and it was nice and cool.

I don't know about a BB, but I am using a generic Summit with my 383 and it runs 170 degrees all the time with a Taurus fan.

Dave

Electric fan only? Ac?

Yes, electric fan only. The Taurus fan is a beast and is widely used in hotrods. No AC yet, so will have a better idea in a few weeks about that. I will update the thread when it goes in.

Dave

I have a stock replacement 69 Camaro 4 core with a 160 thermostat and have no trouble keeping BB cool.

You know so much of this depends on how much power you are making. A serious 350 can easily make more heat that a mild BB. A big reason why my 383 is so easy to cool is, I think, because it is a fairly mild build. I'm not an engineer, but I would expect that a 500 HP BB makes about the same amount of heat as a 500 HP SB, and may actually be easier to cool because of a larger flow rate.

Dave

It's a 500 hp 496. I had the same radiator with the old 396, but with a mechanical fan and no shroud. It ran reasonably cool, but when I found out the block was cracked, I went with the current 496. If the outside temps get above 75 degrees, I can't drive the car very far without it getting hot.
This car originally had a small block. Do I have to modify the radiator support to use a big block radiator?

The small block support has a cradle built in to the lower section that holds the radiator in rubber mounts. It takes a lot of cutting in the bottom to get the BB radiator to sit down even with the bottom of the support. If it's out of the car you might make a lot of progress bending the excess metal down flat with a big hammer. It's thick metal though, so a cutting wheel or cutting torch works better. Also there are some tabs bent up to locate the rubber mounts, they'll have to be bent down. And the opening should be cut out two inches larger on the driver's side. Cut following the ridge that's already stamped in.

hmm... That sounds like a lot of work, since the car is fully assembled and running right now. What if I just bought the biggest baddest small block radiator? Would that be enough to cool the big block?

get a alum rad from summit(summit brand is as good as the others and a little cheaper) and put a 7 blade fan on and your problem will be solved,,it worked on our 68 w/a 408,,,be sure to use a shroud also,,,

I haven't used one yet....but am leaning towards one of the radiators from http://www.rondavisradiators.com/ I've read a number of reviews on his stuff and all of it is good. I think they're a little more money, but well worth it.

I have never before seen such workmanship on a radiator as I have on a Ron Davis radiator. This thing is a beast.
I can't believe I wasted my money on a 4 core.....and the motor still ran hot.
Don't waste your money. Buy the best & be done with it.
MADE IN AMERICA.....yeah baby!
No affiliation, yada yada.

FYI, Griffin radiator is 4 minutes from the office here:)

I run a 31x19 Griffin with dual fans!!

Get a Alumitech with the built in Spal fans and forget about it......Your Car will never get Hot again.......

Ken

I had a 69 ss el camino with a 396/4 speed. When I first got it I noticed that it ran hot all the time. Even on cool days. So I bought the griffin radiator and thought that would solve all the problems. It did run a little bit cooler but still would get really hot if I drove it any length of time. I did the normal check of looking under the car to figure out if I had a leak. Passed that test. Checked the radiator and noticed that it was loosing water. checked the oil and it passed that test to. I wanted to rebiuld the motor anyway so I started to take it apart. It wasnt until I got the heads off that I notcied something didnt look right with the accessory holes for the altenator. Turns out someone thought it would be a good idea to put a rubber plug in the hole that had gone all the way into the water jacket and then paint over it to seal it off. I would check to make sure your not loosing any water. Once that was fixed. The griffin made a huge difference over my 396 temp and my buddies.

My 454 kept getting way to warm with just a dual electric fan. Swapped it out for a mechanical and all is well again :D

I use a Griffin aluminum two core and have nothing but good to report. I never go over 180 - 190 in any temp weather or driving conditions.. I use a OEM clutch fan with a shroud and it works fantastic..

Just curious, what do you call running HOT?

Just curious, what do you call running HOT?

yes, I would like to know how hot is TOO hot. some people say 210, 220, 230

which is it?

I have a stock small block radiator with a Black Magic electric fan. Now the temperatures are rising, it won't keep up. What's the easiest aluminum radiator to retrofit? Thanks!

I had the same issues for a few years with my 454, now it stayes @170 http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/marydoright/Dieters%20Nova/DSCF2853copy.jpg

I run a Camaro 4 core stock style rad with a mechanical fan in front of my BB and it stay at 180º.

hmm... That sounds like a lot of work, since the car is fully assembled and running right now. What if I just bought the biggest baddest small block radiator? Would that be enough to cool the big block?

Do you have a 4 core radiator ?? If not get a good 4 core small block radiator and a 160 degree therm and a 6 bladed fan you should not have any problems unless there is something else wrong. I had this setup in my 396 375hp last summer while I was getting my original Harrison re done. It ran 180 all the time. By the way what kind of pulleys do you have on it ? If you have the nice chrome ones and they are not the same size as what should be on the engine that could be your problem too. Good luck

When I put the Big Block in my car I didnt know what to do as far as what radiator to use. I got so many different suggestions I just got more confused. I ended up purchasing a Ron Davis Double Pass radiator with the Spal fans built in. Most of the time it runs between 180 and 190. Last summer I drove the car to a local car show and the temp outside was 110 degrees. The black top must have been at least 500 degrees:rolleyes: and the engine temp never got above 215. I was real happy about that. Because I dont have much room in front of the water pump this radiator was perfect. You can see I only have about a quarter inch between the water pump pulley and the fan.
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j99/dwptech/PA170026.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j99/dwptech/P7210221.jpg

Here's a pic of my set up.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f375/sstaz/enginechange004.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f375/sstaz/newparts002.jpg