Radiator for a 406ci ~500hp engine?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
Radiator for a 406ci ~500hp engine?
Hello again fellas.
I have got basically all the parts ordered to compliment the 406ci ~500hp engine I got from AR Racing.
One thing the person installing the engine I do not believe has ordered is the radiator.
I know I want to get as good a radiator as possible to avoid heating issues with the 406 block. I live in Houston where is is hot almost year round, and killer hot in the summer.
Do you guys have suggestions with respect to a good radiator to go with?
Thanks.
I have got basically all the parts ordered to compliment the 406ci ~500hp engine I got from AR Racing.
One thing the person installing the engine I do not believe has ordered is the radiator.
I know I want to get as good a radiator as possible to avoid heating issues with the 406 block. I live in Houston where is is hot almost year round, and killer hot in the summer.
Do you guys have suggestions with respect to a good radiator to go with?
Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,446
Likes: 2
From: Not Correctly Restored Stingray Fla.
Originally Posted by Budman78
The biggest alum. you can find and dual spals. Order all new seals too.
GRIFFIN RADIATORS
I had problem with my Griffin Radiator (after 2 years) and they replaced it NO CHARGE !!!! NO PROBLEM !!!!
They might be a few $$$ more than BE COOL. But the company is first class all the way.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 7
From: Katy (Houston) TX
CI 7-8 Veteran
Homie,
I live in Houston also and have an AR motor. What side of town do you live on. I enjoy working on these things and when I have time I'd be up for giving you a hand with that install. My engine is out of the car and completely disassembled right now but when it was running it was cool. I was using a flex fan and original fan shroud and a BeCool 19x22" radiator. I just bought some dual Spal's and I'm currently working on installing them on the radiator. You're welcome to come by and take a look, it could give you some ideas.
I live in Houston also and have an AR motor. What side of town do you live on. I enjoy working on these things and when I have time I'd be up for giving you a hand with that install. My engine is out of the car and completely disassembled right now but when it was running it was cool. I was using a flex fan and original fan shroud and a BeCool 19x22" radiator. I just bought some dual Spal's and I'm currently working on installing them on the radiator. You're welcome to come by and take a look, it could give you some ideas.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
tshort
Hello fellow Houstonite. I'm actually out in Pearland, south side. Just outside Beltway 8 off 288.
I am not personally installing the engine, someone else is.
I might take you up on your offer to stop by and check out what you got going on to learn more, maybe even help out when I have time. At some point in the future I'd actually like to learn how to do all this stuff
What is your email? I'll shoot you a line.
Hello fellow Houstonite. I'm actually out in Pearland, south side. Just outside Beltway 8 off 288.
I am not personally installing the engine, someone else is.
I might take you up on your offer to stop by and check out what you got going on to learn more, maybe even help out when I have time. At some point in the future I'd actually like to learn how to do all this stuff
What is your email? I'll shoot you a line.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,041
Likes: 0
From: Wichita, KS
I have the 4 core copper unit with twin Flex-a-Lites on my 406. I wish that I had gotten the BeCool and Spals from Tom DeWitt when he had them on sale. Since he is a supporting vendor and sells the best radiator, fan combination that is a bolt in for our cars he would be my first choice.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Go with the universal griffin radiator. Get the one with 1 1/2 inch rows. It's supposed to cool up to 750 HP... My '68 with a 465+ HP engine hardly ever runs over 195 degrees here in steamy Florida...
The universal Griffin (with 1.5 inch rows) iis about $290 or so...
The universal Griffin (with 1.5 inch rows) iis about $290 or so...
Cruising
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
I built a 400 bored 40 over and ordered the alu. griffin universel fit for only 179 dollars from jegs and a black magic electric fan, only small bending of the upper mounts to fit, plus a new upper radiater hose, and 160 themostat and mine runs cool in 90 degree weather
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,216
Likes: 4
From: Smile, it's just the internet.
I've gotta throw in for our friend Tom Dewitt. He's got far and away the best electric fan setup coupled to the best fitting radiator. Can't speak about real world performance, but on a stand my 427 was steady at 180 (thermostat setting).
Navigator
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Williamsburg Virginia
I have a 400 .40 over. Installed the Be Cool replacement radiator and added Flex-a-lite electric fan # 210. The fan has a thermostat...kicks on at 185...and stays there. Hawaii is hot too...the radiator does a great job where the fan only comes on when the car stops or I'm heavy in trafic.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: marble falls texas
Hi Homie
Give Tom Dewitt a call . I run a 406 /475 hp. in a 1978 with auto/ac, I live in marble falls texas. I also run a 4.11 gear. I run his radiator and dual 12 inch. sprial (elect. Fans) the only change i made to the fans was to run both fans at the same time instead of the normal one fan and then have the other fan kick in if i turn on my a/c or the temp. gets to hi. Another great thing about the elect. fans - they pull air in when at idle in traffic so the a/c works better. I have run his set up for a year with no problems. PS; one great vender who will work with you and stand behind his products. Hope this helps.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Originally Posted by CGGorman
I've gotta throw in for our friend Tom Dewitt. He's got far and away the best electric fan setup coupled to the best fitting radiator. Can't speak about real world performance, but on a stand my 427 was steady at 180 (thermostat setting).
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
You can find cheaper ways to go, but you won't find better. We are the only company that specializes in Corvette radiators. We don't make anything but Corvette radiators, and we are the only radiator company that is a Forum Sponsor.
You didn't say what year this car was but we make (4) four completely different models for C3, which guarantees a true "Direct Fit".
Our radiators are "DeWitts" brand trademarked "Direct Fit". These are NOT Griffins or Be-cools. They do not use epoxy and they are the only ones with a hood hinge relief to insure the hood will close without bindingDeWitt Radiators
You didn't say what year this car was but we make (4) four completely different models for C3, which guarantees a true "Direct Fit".
Our radiators are "DeWitts" brand trademarked "Direct Fit". These are NOT Griffins or Be-cools. They do not use epoxy and they are the only ones with a hood hinge relief to insure the hood will close without bindingDeWitt Radiators
