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Aluminum Rad, Preference????

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Old Sep 25, 2005 | 09:25 AM
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Default Aluminum Rad, Preference????

Hey guys, I have a new stock brass & copper radiator that isn't doing the job for my 300 Hp. 350. It has 2 10" electric fans. I'm thinking I need to do an Aluminum upgrade, there are a lot of choices out there. Any suggestions??? I'm open to all ideas, I just don't want to spent my ride time watching the temp gauge... Thanks
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Old Sep 25, 2005 | 09:30 AM
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After I rebuilt my motor, the temp would keep climbing the longer I drove. I was like you and did not want to watch the temp gauge the whole time I was driving. The rad that was in the car had been boiled out and flow check and had a clean bill of health. It still did not cut the mustard. I called DeWitts and he suggested an aluminum reproduction radiator. After installation, the hottest the car gets is 200 and when moving it stays on 180. Very happy and it was a direct drop in installation.
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Old Sep 25, 2005 | 12:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Eddie 70
After I rebuilt my motor, the temp would keep climbing the longer I drove. I was like you and did not want to watch the temp gauge the whole time I was driving. The rad that was in the car had been boiled out and flow check and had a clean bill of health. It still did not cut the mustard. I called DeWitts and he suggested an aluminum reproduction radiator. After installation, the hottest the car gets is 200 and when moving it stays on 180. Very happy and it was a direct drop in installation.
Ditto
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Old Sep 25, 2005 | 12:53 PM
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Default Alum Radiators

I ditto Dewitts, fits like a glove and cools my BB with no problems. 180 is the most I have seen in traffic.
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Old Sep 25, 2005 | 08:34 PM
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I also purchased a DeWitts and highly recommend their aluminum direct fit radiator.
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Old Sep 25, 2005 | 08:41 PM
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I feel any of the 2 core 3 inch aluminum rads will do the job. I bought the universal one and other then the angle of the lower output it is identical to the dedicated corvette on and hundreds of dollars cheaper. Be creative on the lower rad hose and save.
I went with 2 16 inch fans. One in front and one behind. NO matter what the temp stays below 200 but it did require both fans running
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Old Sep 25, 2005 | 09:03 PM
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DeWitts. Good stuff, good people.
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Old Sep 25, 2005 | 09:26 PM
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Originally Posted by norvalwilhelm
I feel any of the 2 core 3 inch aluminum rads will do the job. I bought the universal one and other then the angle of the lower output it is identical to the dedicated corvette on and hundreds of dollars cheaper. Be creative on the lower rad hose and save.
I went with 2 16 inch fans. One in front and one behind. NO matter what the temp stays below 200 but it did require both fans running
i have the 1.25" tube 2 core Griffin.. What hose did you use with your rad?. The Griffin has a slight bend but not enough.

I'm keeping the stock shroud and mech. fan.
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Old Sep 25, 2005 | 09:43 PM
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any one like Be Cool ???
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Old Sep 25, 2005 | 10:31 PM
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Originally Posted by norvalwilhelm
Be creative on the lower rad hose and save.
]

i have the griffin 1.25 2 core that has a slightly bent lower neck but not enough. What did you do for a lower hose?

I'm going to finish mine later this week. I plan to keep the stock shroud.
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Old Sep 25, 2005 | 10:39 PM
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I do. I just got the bCool with duel fans but haven't installed it yet. I think everything needed is there except fittings for AT cooler. BTW, they use spall fans and include mounting brackets.
Only thing I am changing is adding a 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 3/32 thick rubber under each bracket that goes over the top and bottom of radiator so there won't be metal to metal contact. I may also add a second thermo switch to stagger the fans. They sent one 180 degree switch only.
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Old Sep 25, 2005 | 11:19 PM
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DeWitt's is my choice! Well worth the $$ for the "plug n play" installation. Best quality out there!
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Old Sep 26, 2005 | 07:04 AM
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Originally Posted by greyghost79
any one like Be Cool ???
I'm using BeCool with dual 11" SPAL fans. It keeps my 540hp BB at 180 at alll times...
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Old Sep 26, 2005 | 07:07 AM
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Originally Posted by vettenut2
Hey guys, I have a new stock brass & copper radiator that isn't doing the job for my 300 Hp. 350. It has 2 10" electric fans. I'm thinking I need to do an Aluminum upgrade, there are a lot of choices out there. Any suggestions??? I'm open to all ideas, I just don't want to spent my ride time watching the temp gauge... Thanks

There's soething wrong with your electric fan set up. Do you have any pics of the system you are using? Stock radiator should easily keep 300hp small blocks cool enough. What kinda fans are your twin 10"s? Where did you get them from? Are the pullers or pushers? Alu rad is better solution for sure, but stock rad. should work with 300hp small block...
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Old Sep 26, 2005 | 07:11 AM
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I pitty the foo who doesn't go with DeWitts.

Though I do think you got something else going on if a new copper/brass radiator for your app and properly sized electric fans aren't doing the job.
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Old Sep 26, 2005 | 08:22 AM
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Hey norval

Those fans work without shrouding?
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Old Sep 26, 2005 | 09:10 AM
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Went with a Summit 2 row and dual Flex-a-lite elec fans, works just fine for me. I use a universal ribbed lower hose, it rests on the front crossmember but shows no signs of any real wear after 3 years, it is very thick.
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To Aluminum Rad, Preference????

Old Sep 26, 2005 | 12:45 PM
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Originally Posted by groovyjay
There's soething wrong with your electric fan set up. Do you have any pics of the system you are using? Stock radiator should easily keep 300hp small blocks cool enough. What kinda fans are your twin 10"s? Where did you get them from? Are the pullers or pushers? Alu rad is better solution for sure, but stock rad. should work with 300hp small block...
Sorry no pics, but they are Flex lite twin 10" fans, I got them from Jegs. Don't get me wrong, the car doesn't run that hot, It's just in traffic on a warm day it heads over 220. On the hwg. it stays under 200.
I just don't want to be having to worry about it, especially if I put the air on.
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Old Sep 26, 2005 | 04:56 PM
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Originally Posted by vettenut2
Sorry no pics, but they are Flex lite twin 10" fans, I got them from Jegs. Don't get me wrong, the car doesn't run that hot, It's just in traffic on a warm day it heads over 220. On the hwg. it stays under 200.
I just don't want to be having to worry about it, especially if I put the air on.

Are they pullers or pushers? Are they mounted on engine side of the radiator or on the other side? Are you using any kind of shroud? Front spoiler? Just trying to get an idea why it runs so hot...
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Old Sep 26, 2005 | 09:04 PM
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Originally Posted by groovyjay
Are they pullers or pushers? Are they mounted on engine side of the radiator or on the other side? Are you using any kind of shroud? Front spoiler? Just trying to get an idea why it runs so hot...
They are pullers, mounted in the engine comp side. Just has a shroud that came with the fans. Doesn't cover the entire radiator. The car also has A/C so can't put pushers on the condenser. I think I'm going to go with a Dewitts with new spal fans that draw more air. Mine only move 1800 cfm. I think the spals move a lot more.
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