Big Block radiators for our trucks?

[gofastnut]

OK, so right now I've got the strait six and the cooling system is barely adequate. I'm S-L-O-W-L-Y building a roughly 500hp Big Block to put in it.
What kind of radiators are you guys with Big Blocks running?
I know the hole in the rad support is 25", I'm planning on moving the battery, can I go with a bigger(than 26" wide) rad?
Info would be great, with pics would be even better.
And I'm wanting to get it done befor the Cruise nite in Colusa on the 12.

Thanks guys

[billd5string]

I'm running a Champion aluminum radiator in mine. The one I got is rated to disipate the heat up to 600HP, and so far with my slightly warmed over 454, in 103-105 degree Las Vegas weather, I only have seen it get up to 210 degrees once, usually it stays around 190 in slow moving traffic.

I think they had another radiator for our trucks that was rated higher as well.

[gofastnut]

Just found an outfit called Engineered Cooling Products, they make all aluminum rads in the original style(downflow) for our trucks. There also make in the good old US of A
Think I'm gonna give em a shot.
http://www.speedcooling.com/1963-196...r/prod_37.html

[newbe351]

From the Speed Cooling site: "This will not fit in trucks that use the flange mount radiator that bolts to the core support."

Not sure what this means. I know GMC and Chevy radiators are different. Had one made using my original GMC tanks with new cores added, but it is now leaking. $199 seems reasonable to me, if it will fit in the GMC radiator mounts.......

[1963c-10]

One version bolted to the radiator support, and one version had upper/lower radiator mounts.

[63MOUSE]

gofastnut, quick question that radiator you found made in u s a is it a u.s. radiator? if so be careful i just had to have my 3 month old 4 core high efficiency radiator redone by a local shop because they would not honor their warranty. the top tank popped loose do to poor craftsmanship. the local shop here fixed right, 125 dollars later. just saying if them? be careful

[steveb64]

I bought the ECP radiator for my 64 C10 with a big block Cadillac 500 engine in it. I used the inline six mounts at the bottom, heated them up and expanded them wider to accomodate the bottom tank of the new radiator. I also had to move them to the V8 location on the crossmember. I then used the top radiator support from a V8 truck and sectioned it shorter to accomodate the forward position of the new radiator.
The Cad is in the 500 hp/ 500+ torque range and this radiator does a great job keeping it cool so far. The hottest day I have driven it so far is about 90 degrees and the engine temp came up to about 210 max at times.

[gofastnut]

Steveb, thanks for the info, I'm nervous about getting a piece of junk, so I'm really doing a lot of research.
63mouse, it is not a "US Radiator." I've done some checking up on these guys and they get pretty good reviews, just not that well known.

Thanks for the input fellas!

[OldTrucksRule]

Gofast,
I have a '65 with one ton 4x4 running gear and a 502 HO crate. I bought a BeCool radiator with the Flexolite Extreme S blade electric with the shroud that completely covered the radiator. Completely inadequate for summer here in SoCal and ran very hot in the local mountains. Went to a recommended local speed shop where they sold me a Champion radiator that they said would do it. Compared it at home to my BeCool and it was exactly the same dimensions. In a word, if you can, take it to a radiator shop like I did and get back to basics. I now have a custom made non-aluminum three row with the dimpled tubes. Full metal shroud with the old mechanical fan. I have been testing it during our 110 days and it runs at 180 with the 180 thermostat. Also have a B&M 28000 GVW trans cooler in front of the radiator running independently of it. Not worried about very cold weather with the trans because of where I live.

[OldTrucksRule]

The other thing about these marketed radiators I found such as American Eagle and Champion is that they are actually made in Taiwan. I believe that Griffin aluminum rads are made in the USA but will cost you the same as if you had one custom made at a shop. I just hated throwing good money after bad, so that is why I had my 4x4 shop put in the biggest that would fit. Just looked at your attached web site for the radiators. $199 price tells me that they are the same as the two brands I mentioned. May work but for how long?

[gofastnut]

Part of the problem is that I want to go to the Chevy/GMC meet n' hangout in Vacaville in September. I might just have the current radiator rodded and repaired, but then that's getting close to half the price of this $200 radiator. I'm pretty skeptical about this as well. The old addage: "If it sounds too good to be true....."