FE Power Forums
FE Power Forums => FE Technical Forum => Topic started by: Yellow Truck on September 14, 2015, 11:31:25 PM
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Slowly getting ready to complete my 445. Should make around 500 hp. Took the old rad from an F250 (three rows, old style copper/brass last rebuilt at least 15 years ago) and the shop said it won't deal with the heat from that much engine. They came back with a quote for a TQ (or TK, can't remember) new core for about $800.
I'm thinking I may want to consider alternatives at that price. Any suggestions? It is going into a '69 F100.
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If it was me, I'd give that old radiator a chance. They're pretty darn big and I have NEVER had any type of overheating problem using one, especially in a truck with lots of space under the hood. If it's not plugged up with crud, I don't think you'll have a problem. I'm using a stock type copper/brass in my Mustang with 500hp and it doesn't overheat. That truck has a ton more area. I've driven nothing but early/mid '60s to bumpsides my whole life (the newest truck I've ever owned is my current '70 F350) and I've never had a single problem that was radiator related other than bad tubes leaking water, and then I replaced it with a good used one.
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I 2nd that...I also use the stock rad in my 427 car and it works just fine..The fan(choice of) and shroud are just as important.
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800 seems high for a recore? I just had the radiator recored in my Galaxie with extra row of tubes $419 and my truck truck (64 f100) had new radiator with old brackets done last winter for less than $400. I like a copper radiators and never had trouble with cooling if everything was good even on overloaded work trucks with utility beds full of tools and parts.
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I run the stock radiator from 1971 in mine, it's not an oversize one or anything special.
There is so much room in front and around the engine that it stays cool even without a shroud. Far cry from my Mustang which is jam packed.
I wouldn't be afraid of a stock one, assuming its clean
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3X? I'd also give it a whirl before junking it.
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If your existing radiator doesn't do the job I'd give U.S. Radiator a call.
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Much appreciated. I think the high cost was because they were proposing a high end re-core with very dense rows.
I was leaning towards putting it back for now because my driving season is almost over, but what I think I'll do is run it as is, then if it tends to be warm switch to electric fans before I try anything more radical.