veto227

Having minor heat problems with the stock radiator and clutch fan. I've replaced the water pump, stat (180*), clutch fan, had the stock radiator cooked and cleaned. On my mechanical temp gauge I'm getting about 190 - 200 after 15min of idling. I enjoy the local cruise in's and going to Pigeon Forge in the Spring and Fall so these temps worry me. Maybe I'm just heat scared however I'm thinking of going to an aluminum radiator and electric fan. Which combo is a good replacement for stock fitment. After researching these items it is learned that they all have different measurements (thickness being the concern). Is this a good idea for my situation. Thanks in advance.

93foxgt

Well, I've been having a little worse heat problems than you, and I've also been doing alot of research.

Everyone advertises the Aluminum radiator cooling, but in my research, I have found out that the heat transfer of a brass/copper radiator is actually superior to that of an aluminum one. The stock rad is a 2 core, however, and a 3-core rad will help alot, but as far as I know, you shouldn't go more than 1 core more than your cooling system was designed for unless you want to get a new pump and really manage it.

As for an electric fan, I believe that the most prudent thing to do would be to buy a higher output alternator before you even think about it.

veto227

I have replaced the pump with a 30% greater flow from Summitt. Is this enough to handle a bigger radiator? Most all of the statistics/advertisements claim the aluminum radiators cool more than the brass/copper ones. As for the alternator, does everyone replace the stock one with and aftermarket prior to installing the electric fans??? Thanks for the reply.

93foxgt

Well, a 3 row rad should help you even with a stock pump, but any more than that is pushing it. If you really want to, I would advise getting a 3-row heavy duty aluminum rad (same thing I want), but make sure it's 3 row. I don't understand the advertising of aluminum if copper/brass really does cool better, but I guess really the only way to find out is getting one.

frop

Thing is, copper radiators are heavy as hell and the good aluminum radiators cool as well as you'll ever need.

veto227

Is there a certain thickness dimension to stay within? There are a ton of different radiators out there. Is there a name brand that everyone sticks with? There is a combo advertised on ebay right now. It is a Dynamic Racing combo. It is a two row aluinum radiator, 2 - 1" core tubes with a 2700 cfm fan. Also my car has an AOD. Am I alright just using an external transmission cooler or should I use a radiator with a cooler in it?? Thanks

brutal_gt

Im running a modine 3 row, edelbrock high flow reverse rotation pump, 180deg stat and flex fan. even with the a/c running in +100deg Arizona heat, my car never even reaches the halfway point.

88BlueGT

Copper radiators are not that heavy..... I was going to go w/ an aluminum one on my 88 but I went to a local radiator shop and they hooked me up w/ a nice copper 3 core. I couldnt imagin a aluminum one being more than a few lbs lighter.

GO4URS

I'm using a Fluidyne radiator with a Mark VIII electric fan. It has 4500cfm with a Dccontroller. This combo worked wonders for my car. I was generating an enomorous amount of heat...AODs are notorious for creating heat, high compression ratio, 3" exhaust from the headers all the way to the tailpipes. The difference in the temps are like night and day.