Swap Radiators

[NC_John]

I'm rapidly getting closer to the point where I am going to have to decide on a swap radiator. I want all the hoses on the passenger side and sold my original rad months ago so that isnt an option.

Looking at all the usual suspects, entropy, r&d, coldcase, etc.... It needs to cool a 600 hp mill with A/C. Don't need a transmission cooler.

Has anyone found anything that makes one better than another? I want made in the US so i think that knocks out coldcase. Is anyone using Spal fans? They all look similar online and pricing is pretty close too. Anyone else I should be considering?

Thanks

[72MARIO]

My RND cools engine great with a.c. the transmission cooler sucks first ride out it ran 220f. Way too hot. That was empty. I sent him a email and no response.

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by 72MARIO

My RND cools engine great with a.c. the transmission cooler sucks first ride out it ran 220f. Way too hot. That was empty. I sent him a email and no response.

Can you identify what brand fans they use?

[72MARIO]

Originally Posted by NC_John

Can you identify what brand fans they use?

I didn't buy fans I used stock clutch fan. The only time my truck gets to 195 is pulling our 25" camper up longgraded with the a.c. on. I habe a delco thermostat 195 in it. Most of the time.it runs 185-190

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by 72MARIO

I didn't buy fans I used stock clutch fan. The only time my truck gets to 195 is pulling our 25" camper up longgraded with the a.c. on. I habe a delco thermostat 195 in it. Most of the time.it runs 185-190

Ok, thanks.

[Steve Cole]

Originally Posted by NC_John

Can you identify what brand fans they use?

John,

I believe that RnD, along with pretty much every other radiator company uses imported or "non-branded" fans unless they specifically state otherwise. Not to say that they won't install whatever fan you want, (if you pay for it) and as long as it fits their shroud holes, (they might). You could also just buy the radiator and blank shroud and fit your own fans to it. or, go with something like this:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...8aAthbEALw_wcB

Old Air Products also has a nice dual SPAL fan/shroud combo if you are okay with the plastic shrouds.
In my opinion, the new Entropy LSX radiator with the aluminum fan mount brackets is the sexiest radiator/fan combo on the market. To see a real good picture of it, go to their website and look at the one for the 69 Camaro, they have a better pic for that one. It's very pricey, over $1000 for that with the controller. Ouch! The Engineered Cooling Products radiators are their import line and look to be well made and a whole lot cheaper.
Griffen fans are US made I believe but the reviews are not very flattering.

I still can't decide what to do myself, so let me know what you end up doing, and I will buy it from you in two months when you change your mind.LOL

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by Steve Cole

.... or, go with something like this:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...8aAthbEALw_wcB

Old Air Products also has a nice dual SPAL fan/shroud combo if you are okay with the plastic shrouds.
In my opinion, the new Entropy LSX radiator with the aluminum fan mount brackets is the sexiest radiator/fan combo on the market. To see a real good picture of it, go to their website and look at the one for the 69 Camaro, they have a better pic for that one. It's very pricey, over $1000 for that with the controller. Ouch! The Engineered Cooling Products radiators are their import line and look to be well made and a whole lot cheaper.
Griffen fans are US made I believe but the reviews are not very flattering.

I still can't decide what to do myself, so let me know what you end up doing, and I will buy it from you in two months when you change your mind.LOL

I like that spal setup from summit but am concerned about making it look right mounting it to a radiator. Plastic isnt a worry.

I'm already prepared to pay around $1000 to get what I want, just want to make sure for that money I make the right choice.

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by Steve Cole

Old Air Products also has a nice dual SPAL fan/shroud combo if you are okay with the plastic shrouds.

I still can't decide what to do myself, so let me know what you end up doing, and I will buy it from you in two months when you change your mind.LOL

That old air spal setup kind of looks like it might mount/bolt on like the original factory shroud did. If that's the case, an R&D rad without fans (assuming it fits in the stock brackets) with those fans might be the ticket. The entropy stuff looks good too but i dont see it available without fans.

I thought you bought a fan at goodguys or autofair?

[SparkyRnD]

Originally Posted by 72MARIO

My RND cools engine great with a.c. the transmission cooler sucks first ride out it ran 220f. Way too hot. That was empty. I sent him a email and no response.

Mario, I never received an email from your about that. We've been using the same trans cooler for over a decade with no overheating issues. I wonder if you either have air in the lines / system that hasn't purged, or if there isn't enough fluid in the system (you have to account for the cooler and lines when adding fluid). We've had these on tow rigs in the southwest pulling large trailers without issues, and we know they work. Feel free to pm or email me at sparky@rndfabrication.com / sales@rndfabrication.com.

[72MARIO]

Originally Posted by SparkyRnD

Mario, I never received an email from your about that. We've been using the same trans cooler for over a decade with no overheating issues. I wonder if you either have air in the lines / system that hasn't purged, or if there isn't enough fluid in the system (you have to account for the cooler and lines when adding fluid). We've had these on tow rigs in the southwest pulling large trailers without issues, and we know they work. Feel free to pm or email me at sparky@rndfabrication.com / sales@rndfabrication.com.

I sent the email to the same email address I sent PayPal to. I am curious how hot tow rigs in the south west get ??

[72MARIO]

I feel it's necessary to screen shot the entire email. And include the attached pitcure . I dont want to leave any information out. I can understand towing and 220 but not empty. Transmission was full of fluid and I verified the was flow coming out of the return line. The lines were to hot to touch. I took it to my transmission builder and he told me to park it until I added an external cooler.

[SparkyRnD]

Your most recent email went to my spam folder, which may be why I didn't see the original email. I've marked it and your email as approved sender (shouldn't have that issue going forward).

All the years we've been in business we have only had 2 people with a trans cooler (they've been very reliable and the reason why we keep using them). It may be that your specific set up is too hot (fluid issue, converter issue, weight issue or location, or a combination of the above), could be specific conditions, etc. Hard to say. In that case, assuming everything is as it should be (tuning, correct fluid and amount of fluid, etc), your specific set up may need either a separate cooler that is used in conjunction with ours (plumb into the external cooler first, then into ours, then back to the trans), or a separate stand-alone trans cooler with built-fan that is used by itself. Both will quickly fix the issue, without knowing the specific cause.

[truckdude239]

I got a cold case with fans so far so good motor runs around 198 degrees

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by truckdude239

I got a cold case with fans so far so good motor runs around 198 degrees

What made you pick them over the others?

[truckdude239]

Originally Posted by NC_John

What made you pick them over the others?

I picked cold case cause of price and a life time warranty it was 425buxs for the radiator Nd fans dont know what brand the fans are but they move some air just make sure to ask for a radiator cap and they will inculde it for free so they say i didn;t know that when i ordered mine so i used the on off my old giffren ls radiator they died after onyl 3 years of use

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by truckdude239

I picked cold case cause of price and a life time warranty it was 425buxs for the radiator Nd fans dont know what brand the fans are but they move some air just make sure to ask for a radiator cap and they will inculde it for free so they say i didn;t know that when i ordered mine so i used the on off my old giffren ls radiator they died after onyl 3 years of use

Thanks David, appreciate the input.

[Ccas]

Originally Posted by truckdude239

I picked cold case cause of price and a life time warranty

Cheap is a relative term! Keep in mind I have been giving C10 Forum members special pricing. The retail price of our fully polished, dual 1 1/4" tube units are just under $400. It's not an entry level radiator by any means.

[halfstep]

You might look at Wizard cooling in upstate NY. No epoxy, all USA. I've seen them in person at a couple of shows - nice work. Lots of options and unlike most companies their shrouds do not look like an afterthought. They use Maradyne as well as Spal fans and their website has lots of straight forward information - virtually no hype.
https://wizardcooling.com/1967-1972-...inum-radiator/

[sprint_9]

I went cold case, mainly for two reasons. Stamped tanks and it was cheap. I worry about the cheap part because as you know you get what you pay for, but just looking at it I see no issues with it, so maybe it will be a good deal.

I found an aluminum fan shroud on ebay I hope to retro fit to my radiator and I plan on running Spal fans.

Not radiator specific but on fans. I ran into a problem with mine where I wanted a high flow Spal. I looked online and never really saw a fuse rating that it called for so I figured Id order it anyhow and go from there. I got it and it called for a 40 amp fuse. Not a big deal if you go direct to the battery but my LS harness has everything already built in, but fused to 30 amps. I want to use this part of my harness to keep things clean and orderly so I had to send that fan back and will probably end up with something a little less flow under 30 amps. Something to consider depending on how you are going to wire your fans.

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by sprint_9

Not radiator specific but on fans. I ran into a problem with mine where I wanted a high flow Spal. I looked online and never really saw a fuse rating that it called for so I figured Id order it anyhow and go from there. I got it and it called for a 40 amp fuse. Not a big deal if you go direct to the battery but my LS harness has everything already built in, but fused to 30 amps. I want to use this part of my harness to keep things clean and orderly so I had to send that fan back and will probably end up with something a little less flow under 30 amps. Something to consider depending on how you are going to wire your fans.

Thanks for the heads up - why not just use the trigger in your harness for an external relay and run the fans you want (spal)? I haven't dug into my speartech harness in a while but am a bit surprised anyone would want to run the main power to the fans through the main harness. Thinking worst case, if you have a fan motor failure it could take the entire harness out with it. I suppose its fused, but still.....

I think cold case is out for me. I do want a rad made here.

Thanks!

[SparkyRnD]

Yes, our radiators are made to fit in the stock hangers. They fit with the 3 core or 4 core rubber inserts.

And, we never use any plastic, glue or epoxy in any of our radiators

[Ccas]

Guys, if anyone has any tech questions about our Cold Case radiators or cooling issues in general, feel free to post or PM me. We're here to help.

[racecougar]

The BeCool 35202 fits well.

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by racecougar

The BeCool 35202 fits well.

Looks good but why the center mount bracket up top? Did it not fit in the factory mounts?

[racecougar]

Originally Posted by NC_John

Looks good but why the center mount bracket up top? Did it not fit in the factory mounts?

That is an altered factory mount. My truck is a '65.