I'm trying to figure out what I need in the way of a radiator. I have seen many guys using aluminum rads tat are $$$. I am putting a small block 350 into my Formula Toy chassis so the engine will have a lot of air flow around it. A while back I had my original '83 radiator enlarged to 3 row. Question is, given the circumstances of an open buggy, will a 20.75x14.75 cooling surface (fins only) with 3 rows sufficiently cool a 350? I have some AL rads in mind if not but I'd prefer to use what I already have.
i've used speedmotor tru-kool radiators on a carbed 350 and a TPI 350. The tpi 350 was running hot, so we got an aluminum tru-kool radiator with a taurus fan. It doesn't overheat a bit.
on the carbed 350 (mine) i used the 22x16 aluminum radiator with no shroud and a fixed mechanical fan(about 160)
on the tpi (friends) i used the 26x18 aluminum radiator (about 220)
i think my brother has a taurus fan hes not using(1972cj5+1) but youll have to PM him, i havent seen him in 3 months(hes worked like 80 days straight 12+ hrs...)
Thanks for the heads up Paul. Yeah I wasn't planning on doing this for a year or 2 but I found a guy that had the tranny adapter I needed for dirt cheap so I figured why not!
Booger Weldz said:
now youve got a v8
i think my brother has a taurus fan hes not using(1972cj5+1) but youll have to PM him, i havent seen him in 3 months(hes worked like 80 days straight 12+ hrs...)
or ditch the hi-amp draw fan idea. I really don't get why they are so popular, I pulled mine out due to electrical issues and I had allready put in a lot to a new hi-output alternator, all the fusible link stuff and the correct bosch relay. Replaced with a spal electric fan that uses a normal relay and a 10 amp fuse - it rocks too, less than 2" thick and has never had any probs cooling my V8..
Order a summit brand rad. I have seen them ship out Howe rad. as there brand but most of the time you get one that is sealed with that epoxy no big deal. Secondly use a clutch fan they are like magic. Third just because you have an open engine compartment does not mean that the motor wont get hot. I have been down that road. There is not enough air channelized over the engine. Build a shroud. They are not that hard to fab up. Lastly dont believe everything you read here. I have run a v8 in my pickup for years, and so has Brandon. Learn from our mistakes. Dont just use a taurus fan because everyone else does. Be original.
Only reason I was going to go Taurus is more of a $$ thing. I can get one from my local yard for $10. I found a 15" from Speedway but they state that it's 5" thick @ the motor. I don't think I have that much room to spare. Supposedly the 13" fan is 2" thick at the biggest part. I think I am going to order up their 22x19 GM radiator today. It is $139 and I've heard of a few guys that have had good luck with that sized radiator in a buggy.
you can order the spal from ebay, it was less than $100 and very thin. It isn't rated that high but it cools very well. The taurus fan might be cheap but by the time you add in the hi $$ relay, alternator upgrade, etc etc it sure isn't cheaper.. Might have just been my experience but I DID run one and I am MUCH happier with the Spal. Nice thing about the electrics is that thay are basically a built in shroud, but there is always the possibility of electrical issues - honestly if you can somehow squeeze in a clutch fan - do it.
I've been keeping that in the back of my head also. I think due to the size of the radiator, my factory Toy shroud might be a good candidate if I can fit a clutch fan.
I ran the ground to a sender in the intake to it turns on at 195/off at 180. Power went to a relay although since there is no switch you really don't need one I guess.
That's what I love about Summit. Luckily I don't need mine tomorrow so I can afford to save the $30
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