Another champion thread

[65TerrorCuda]

Will this rad work in a v8 65 cuda? The hose positions are correct for what I need.
I emailed the seller to ask about core thickness of both the 2 and 3-core rads but they just replied "1 3/4 inch". They're both the same thickness?
I saw the thread about the 65 cuda-specific rad being too tall and having to cut the lower support, which I won't do.
I'd like to add a shroud at some point, and I'm stuck with using the original 17"(I think) fan blade with a 2" spacer right now.
Anything you'd like to say, don't hold back! :homework:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ALUM...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item255c3f1153

 

[65TerrorCuda]

Got the radiator, and it's 21 1/4" tall with cap. Looks like it should fit by drilling one hole.
Best part is the upper and lower tanks are the same thickness as the rest of the rad- 3" as compared to the original goofy-thick tanks.
This gives the fan another 1/2" of clearance front-to-rear, and was the tightest clearance since I had to move the fan forward to clear the blower belt. Miiiiiiiighty tight that space was.
I thought I was going to have to lose the MP viscous fan, but after this I may be able to keep it.
Old radiator:

 

[MiradaMegaCab]

Hey! Thats a nice setup you got there!!!

 

[65TerrorCuda]

Thanks Mirada!
Okay it's in, pix:

It actually sits lower than the old radiator, it certainly isn't going to hit the hood. I had to flip the valence support bolt/nut upside down and massage the whole thing downward a bit with a sledge to get the clearance I needed. Drilled two lower holes for the lower bolts, and it bolted up wonderfully. I wish everything was this easy!
If you wanted to drill another 2 holes and have the radiator at the original height, that would work too.
I plan on putting some foam between the upper radiator support and the rad to prevent hot air recycling from under the hood.
The lower hose will have to be 1 1/2" on the engine side and 1 3/4" on the rad side, but other than that it's a done deal \\/

 

[POS Dakota]

They're really nice pieces for the money.
I got one for a corvette/s-10 to use in my dakota...since mo one makes **** for a dakota, unless it's 1000 bucks. Just gotta get around to making the shroud and mount.
It's going to be really slick.

 

[crazy 340]

I look at thos eand they seem to be well made

I also start a tread on it and only 1 guy response to it dont remember is name and he told me there were pretty good for the price

and also fit pretty good

for sure will be on the next order

 

[POS Dakota]

I look at thos eand they seem to be well made

I also start a tread on it and only 1 guy response to it dont remember is name and he told me there were pretty good for the price

and also fit pretty good

for sure will be on the next order

My radiator in 3 row only cost me like 200 bucks.\\/

You can buy a "be cool" radiator for twice that, but it wont cool you any better. They need to "be cool" with their prices. And quality wise they are close with the be cool being a little better in the weld department I think.

Either one is light years ahead of what you get handed to you from the factory.

I'm not positive, but I think the A body radiator is also around 200 bucks.
I think you can even get them in 4 row IIRC, but I dont know why you would even need that much.

 

[65TerrorCuda]

Yeah I was torn between the 2,3, and 4 rows, but read some posts on a jeep/rockcrawler forum that said the 1 row outperforms everything else?? Well I dunno about that, but I got a 2 row for $170 shipped, and it doesn't sound like a rainstick when you flip it upside down from all the crap rolling around inside. I found scary things in the 46 year old stocker.
Wow Dakota that is a biiig radiator!

I was very impressed with the build quality- the bracket is thick metal, everything looks like care was taken at every step- the QC is well above what I expected for under $200 for sure. I know I couldn't do those welds

 

[POS Dakota]

Yeah I was torn between the 2,3, and 4 rows, but read some posts on a jeep/rockcrawler forum that said the 1 row outperforms everything else?? Well I dunno about that, but I got a 2 row for $170 shipped, and it doesn't sound like a rainstick when you flip it upside down from all the crap rolling around inside. I found scary things in the 46 year old stocker.
Wow Dakota that is a biiig radiator!

I was very impressed with the build quality- the bracket is thick metal, everything looks like care was taken at every step- the QC is well above what I expected for under $200 for sure. I know I couldn't do those welds

Sound like a rainstick...haha you described that perfectly. When you get that, you can't put it back in and run it...it's time to get a new one.:thumbrig:

With an honest 500hp combo, the last thing I wanted to worry about was keeping it cool. One bad overheat can kill an engine quick. I want to keep it at 185-195 degrees ALL THE TIME if at all possible. That's what I'm gonna shoot for.