Radiator question for 800 motor swap guys?

[mtroy]

Looking down the road this year to change out the 304 in the 800. I keep debating with myself on what to run, but I keep coming back to a Caddy motor, maybe a 425/472, etc. Likely not a 500. For some reason the 425 seems so much more reasonable...just kinda the way my foolish mind works.

Anyway, I have very little problem with cooling in the scout now, running a 3 row brass radiator (and I don't even have a shroud right now), a fixed mechanical fan (no clutch fan) and a small pusher I found in my neighbors trash for long hill climbs, etc. What has anybody done in the 800 to cool a larger displacement motor? I was considering looking at widening the radiator mounts while the motor is out, but I need to stare at that and see what is in the way. I already cut out the inner fenderwells just cuz they were kinda hacked anyway and I like being able to wrench on things from there.

Maybe I don't need a bigger one?

Maybe a radiator like I have now would do the job, but since mine has some rows soldered off due to PO damage and the ports would be in the wrong place, I would want to replace it anyway.

This would be with a mechanical fan and a pusher fan for the hot days/slow trails, although I do have a Taurus fan hanging in the rafters.

Thanks.

[Ben W]

The Cadillac radiator works great with the Cadillac motor in an 80/800. I used the radiator out of a '69 Coupe DeVille and never had cooling problems. I cut the core support out of the Cad and used it to mount the radiator in the Scout.

If you're looking at the Cad motors, there is no reason to overlook the 500. They are all the same dimensions, so just go with which ever one you find a good deal on.

[mtroy]

The Cadillac radiator works great with the Cadillac motor in an 80/800. I used the radiator out of a '69 Coupe DeVille and never had cooling problems. I cut the core support out of the Cad and used it to mount the radiator in the Scout.

If you're looking at the Cad motors, there is no reason to overlook the 500. They are all the same dimensions, so just go with which ever one you find a good deal on.

Cool. Yeah, I know about the 500. It just seems like sooo much motor, but that is probably an illogical thought. I was thinking the 425 would get me what I want as far as go-power, but be somewhat more efficient as far as heat load and MPG.

Maybe the diff is too small to matter, ya think?

SO, what did you have to do to the 800, cut out the existing core support and put in the caddy one? I would think it is wider, no?

[Ben W]

I cut out all the stock stuff, then I cut the Cad core support to fit between the inner fenders, welded some angle iron on to it and bolted it to the inner fenders.

[mtroy]

Sounds pretty straight forward.

[SCOUT800B]

Consider Using Griffin Aluminum Radiators ..they Have Multiple Types With Standard Sizes So You Can Customize Your Scout With A Choice Of Cheaper Ones...i Have One On My 800b From A Ford Racing Car..their Only 200.00 Brian

[mtroy]

Yeah, thanks. I have seen the cheap ones from Summit as well. I just figured on buying an entire car and looking into using the radiator (as long as it is in decent shape).

[ihojeff]

I was forwarded this link from a customer of mine. Real good deal on aluminum radiators. If you call them they will weld the correct size water inlet/outlet for you.

http://www.fsrproducts.com/radiators.html

[mtroy]

Nice! There are two sizes that would work. With some mods, I bet I could get the 31" wide one in there.

The double and triple pass is cool, too.

Thanks, I saved the link.

mt

Edit: PS- Coool, welding carts! I know we talked about this. Good luck...send me a press release write-up ASAP.

[k10caddy]

I was searching though and came across this post and was wondering if you'd decided on a motor and if ya found one yet?

imo, a stock 472/500 would do just fine. just don't rev it past 4500rpm.

[Brandon]

I got mine from speedway motors but summit sells the same one, less than 2 bones - lots of size choices.