What radiators are you guys using to cool your 400+ci motors? I get to pick up my new motor(427) on Monday to replace the 302, and cooling is becoming a question. Will the stock rad with a shroud be sufficient? Operating water temp to be 190°.
I would say no way man. I did a Windsor based 427 in a Eleanor clone and that baby needed a good size aluminum rad and two electric fans. If you are handy with a tig or have a buddy that is I would suggest getting the biggest build-your-own aluminum radiator core you can fit in the opening and weld on your brackets to the rad to fit. Get a nice set of fans and you can build a shroud from an aluminum sheet. I don't remember which manufacturer does it this way but you can drill 1-2 inch holes in the aluminum sheet and then rivet rubber covers on the motor side to act as flaps so that when you are moving the air pushes through the holes and when you ate stationary the fans pull from all around.
Definitely go with Dual Fans . I installed SPAL Pusher and a Puller with a shroud on my 427 and it Ran consistent 180 degrees and would idle all day long with no sign of overheating. Recently just came back from a 4415 mile Power Tour Trip and through all the stops , waits , and slow moving traffic in a 408 Stroker with the same setup and never got over 180 degrees. I install " override" switches also so I could activate the second fan while sitting with the engine OFF if need be to cool it down quickly. Never have used it yet . Cometized (Chip)
I have a good size radiator, dual 10" fans and electric water pump on my Falcon. When the thermostat opens at 160* the temp will drop back down to 120* then climb up then drops to 130*...then 150*...then it hangs around 165*-170*. This happen on a 40-45 degree day. After changing to a 192* stat things stay around 185-190*
Thanks for input fellas, I queried Champion about what they may have / recommend. I was hoping to get this done for the round-up, but if there is much more fab stuff I may have to show up with 5 liters instead of 7, as the 302 is still doing its job. This is something that slipped by me as I was trying to plan for the arrival of the new mill. Poop! Any other good rad mfg names will be welcome so that I can do this right
I just talked to Sid at Champion Rad. yesterday about building me another radiator (4th. one). not any problems just like different things. I have their rad, fan and shroud and want them to build me a shroud to my specs...
Frank, will this setup fit and clear the water pump pulley w/ a 302 engine? Is that Sid's fan or Taurus fan? I might go for that setup if it clears wp "stock type" pulley.
in that pic it has a Taurus fan on it. here is the Champion fan and shroud mounted on my car... it bolts to the stock shroud mounting holes... this is the one I have "modified"... http://www.championradiators.com/Ford-Maverick-radiator-2-row-1971-1977
U got more space w/ the LS setup between the engine and fan than w/ SBF Ford. At least that's the way it looks from the pictures. That is a nice lookin setup - is that carbon fiber shroud? I think it's cuz u have 2 core rad. I have 3 core Champ at present. It might work if I had 2 core!
ChampionRadiators.com Monday - Friday (closed on holidays) 2430 N. Glassell St. Unit C Orange, CA 92865 USA
