454 cooling
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
I think problems people are having with their stock radiators are because they aren't working correctly or clogged, poor engine mixture / timing, no thermostat, broken fan, no shroud etc... As stated many times, the stock cooling setup is plenty for BB bigger than mine...
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
I think problems people are having with their stock radiators are because they aren't working correctly or clogged, poor engine mixture / timing, no thermostat, broken fan, no shroud etc... As stated many times, the stock cooling setup is plenty for BB bigger than mine...
If your stock sb radiator is a 4 core and in good condition, I would get it rodded out and try it. I run an original 4 core Sb radiator, stock sb clutch fan and AC clutch. With all new seals in place and the factory shroud in place, my 650hp 496" idles at 170-175*, on the freeway it runs about 185* running it at 2900-3000. Now at 3100-3200 it will creep to 190*.....highest I have seen was 200* but that was before adding the air damn and core support to hood seal. I haven't seen over 190* with those items in place and as soon as I pull off the highway, the sucker cools down into the 180s. It even does this with the AC on.
I haven't ran it during the summer yet though, just 60-75* so far so it may get hotter but.....I don't think it's going to. If it does I will go to an aluminum radiator but keep the stock clutch fan. I still think the stock fans cool better then electrics both at speed and at idle.....
Racer
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
From: La porte Texas
dewitt
I have had seven C3's and at some point all tended to run hot until I bought one of Tom's aluminum radiators a few years ago . But mine is just a 454 not some big honkin' asphalt shredder like some 496 we know of . 
It has never gone above 180.
It has never gone above 180.
