What cooling systems are you guys running?
 

Hey fellas,

Just wondering what cooling systems you guys are running? What radiator, water pump (electric or mechanical), and fans (brand, size, cfm #'s), type of coolant, etc and what sort of temps you see?

I'm running a CSR electric water pump and Ron Davis radiator on my mustang and it just won't run as cool as I want it so I'm going to play around with going back to mechanical water pump setup and see what that does.

Any info would be awesome.

Cheers,
Joe.

Good post! :thumbsup: I'm researching upgrading our Camaro's cooling system. The ol 454 is running hot...

Interested in seeing what everyone is running.

BBC..stock 4 core rad, with stock fan....185 degrees average, 195 on a hot day. Ceramic coated headers made a huge difference.

Any other combos guys?

ron davis
rick k

69 Camaro with zz454, mechanical water pump, GM BB 7-blade clutch fan, GM BB shroud, 2 core Aluminum BB radiator. Rarely goes over 180 degrees. Has never gone past 195. I agree with the last post, I think the ceramic coated headers significantly reduces the underhood temperatures. My aluminum heads and intake probably help a little too.

Here's what came on our car. The radiator says "Northern" on it and looks like a 2 core. The single fan is a pusher and is around a 10" diameter. The fan turns on with the key and stays on. The water pump appears to be stock. The 454 overheats while cruising around town or if I just let it sit and idle.

The old thermostat had some seaweed looking crud in it so I replaced it. Still overheats so I'm going to try some additional air movement with a big fan to see what happens.

Any other suggestions?

That fan isn't even close to what you need. I'd go with a factory shroud and fan in your situation or a dual electric setup.

Agreed. That little electric fan with no shroud isn't doing much at all to help you out. A properly sized and installed stock fan shroud along with a GM 7-blade fan and new fan clutch should help out tremendously and is probably the cheapest way to go. An electric setup is great too, but might be a bit pricier and you might have to deal with clearance issues, amp draw, sizing, shroud setup, etc. Derale makes a heavy duty flex fan that works nicely also and looks good too, but it's a bit too heavy in my opinion(I tried it).

The setup I use which is rather simple but works great for me is:

fan: GM 18 1/4" seven blade, Classic Industries G8354
shroud: GM NOS, Big Block 69 Camaro, Ebay
clutch: Thermal, 3" depth, big block application, local parts store

Just be sure your belts are fresh and tight because it will put a little extra drag on your water pump pulley, especially at high RPM.

Whatever you decide to go with, good luck! :thumbsup:

Single core aluminum radiator with plastic tanks and a 16 inch Hayden fan in the stock shroud. Also have a high volume edelbrock water pump. Can idle all day long in 110 weather.

Ron Davis double pass with dual Spal fans and integrated recovery tank:
http://www.rondavisradiators.com/radgallery.htm

and Spal fan controller.

Stewart Components Stage 2 High flow long water pump for BBC:
http://www.stewartcomponents.net/Mer...y_Code=ChevyS2

195* Robert Shaw high flow thermostat:
http://www.stewartcomponents.net/Mer...ory_Code=Therm

And then I stuffed as big as a Earl's Transmission and Oil Coolers (with thermostat) and a Perma Cool P/S Cooler as I could fit.

Here is a pic of everything:
http://i328.photobucket.com/albums/l...gSystem030.jpg

http://i328.photobucket.com/albums/l...gSystem012.jpg http://i328.photobucket.com/albums/l...gSystem014.jpg http://i328.photobucket.com/albums/l...gSystem016.jpg

It just barely clears the hood latch and center support brace, and RS doors, that is why they are not centered in the radiator. I could fit way bigger coolers if my car wasn't an RS.

I sure hope all that blockage doesn't cause you slow speed cooling issues Ed.

The electric fan pictured has an integrated shroud. :cheers:

Get as big a fan as will fit on the radiator. Look for a Lincoln MkVIII unit (these are pullers)in the wrecking yards or an aftermarket unit. You need A LOT more air and maybe more radiator too. But start with the fan and a thermostat controlled on/off switch. Make sure you have ALL of the air out of the cooling system, make sure it is full of coolant, try adding "water wetter" too.

I hope so too, but cooling the oil with a cooler that size should be worth some serious drop in temp anyways. I also have the radiator support sealed to the radiator so there is no place to go but through the radiator.

Need a generator and some duct tape!
 

Played around with some 1600cfm blower fans. I turned them on after the gauge passed 210. The extra air movement dropped it back a little below 210. I let it idle for 15 minutes and it stayed consistant. The coolant is full and I believe I have the air out of the system. Does it sound like a couple decent puler fans and a shroud will do the trick? Should I be shooting for a lower temp? Are there more things I should be checking?


Thanks

We manufacture a killer system for 1st and 2nd gen Camaros. Not only do we make our radiator 32" wide, but we fit it with dual fans and fabricate an aluminum core support to complete the package. Your overheating issues will be history and you can use the AC too.

AutoRad
www.autoradradiators.com
770-983-1345

No cooling issues with AutoRad setup/trans cooler and Sertab oil cooler :thumbsup:

Yea, but don't some people block thier ENTIRE radiator with an AC unit or an intercooler?

I will be running an Autorad radiator along with a Setrab 925 oil cooler.. I predict no cooling issues.

Fans stuff
 

We use the top of the line afco polished radiators and have Mahafee shrouds build a dual fan set up with a shroud that funnels to the fans. He builds beautiful shrouds and they work. BB's with a/c no problem in Texas weather.

Roy

You have a different scenario. You are still getting air to every core 3/4 of the way across your radiator. He's blocking 80% of his core leaving he top 20% for unrestricted flow. The only place I can see it having a potential problem is on the race track where you need that flow across your core . I do have a condensor in from of my radiator but the resistance is constant across 95% of the core. I agree, you'll be in great shape. Ed, good luck buddy. :lol: