Rayfry

I have a 63 conv. With a b.b. 454 in it. The car runs at about 210 degrees but when I'm in traffic it goes up to 220 degrees. Is this normal operating temperature or should I do something to bring it down to under 200. The radiator is the original that came with the car and the small block engine. Am I worried for nothing or should I replace the radiator with a b.b. Radiator? I don't want to make changes if there isn't going to be a big improvement.

Nowhere Man

That is border line normal. Have you read the cooling articles written by JohnZ?

jim lockwood

I, for one, am genuinely impressed that the SB radiator can do as well as it does with your 454.

Gary's '66

That, and the fact that the OP said its original! If it were my car I'd be putting in a nice new DeWitts BB radiator.

65GGvert

I wonder if he meant the "original that came with the car" when he bought it, and not when it was built. He may have bought it last week.

Rayfry

The radiator is the original factory.

65GGvert

Then I'd say it's doing the best it can do. 220 isn't terrible, but I'd be prepared for a leak to spring up inside that radiator about any time.

Rayfry

Thanks for the info guys. I'm going to up grade the radiator when I get the chance. I have a few other things that are in need first. The B.B. DeWitts sounds like the way to go.

tjstarduster

Buy a 4 core BECOOL replacement radiator and drop the temp down to 160-180. Heat is the enemy of the BB Chevy.

Avispa

You may need to use a '65 396 radiator. A 66 or 67 radiator requires a different radiator support.

Gary's '66

Yeah, didn't think about that. There were no BB cars in '63. Would a BB rad even fit?

jim lockwood

Yes it will fit but you have to replace the SB radiator support with a BB radiator support. The means of support is different for the BB radiator and it inclines at a steeper angle.



A 396/L88 radiator also requires a different support. Although visually similar to a SB radiator, it is wider and the core support has a larger opening for air flow.

Jim

Mr D.

The cheapest way out is to use a 1966 427 radiator setup; core support, radiator, fan shroud, clutch and fan, headlight opening support rods & hardware etc.

About $1,500 in parts.

Rayfry

Dewitt sells a b.b. Radiator that will fit the 63 with a few modifications. Mostly just moving the horn relay and voltage reg.

Mr D.

That fits in a small block core support and shroud?

jim lockwood

?? How does that work???

histoy

DeWitts also sells a direct fit radiator with 1.25" tubes, which is an increase in size from what you now have. The number is 1249063M (painted black). $680. You might want to talk to them, as it's suppose to be for performance engines.

0Tom@Dewitt

All these packages are designed to mount on the sb pins

http://www.dewitts.com/collections/ls-modified?page=2

jim lockwood

Interesting, Tom. Isn't the radiator wider than the opening in the support, though?

Thorson

220 in traffic with lots of sitting and idling time is pretty good actually. 210 when you are at speed for a while is a little high but still not really a problem. I'd put the cooling on the back burner if you have other items you want to do with the car.