cooling the engine down

[miketyler]

Yes, I called around and with the exploding copper prices, the third row upgrade is around $300-$350. I was thinking I could find a new radiator for that $$. Is there a 4core 26" aluminum out there?

I probably wont do anything on this until I get the car back and confirm the timing with a light.     

[moparnut]

I called Mancini and surprisingly they are no help.I asked it the Rads on sale are a direct bolt in and if the stock shroud would work.They said I would need to measure and didnt know.I would not buy a Rad unless I can lay the shroud on it to make sure it fits.Is it just me or wouldnt you think a company like Mancini would know more about their products?You would also think that the Rad was made to stock specs but they cant tell me that for sure.ANyone bought one?The Rad is also only 2 core

[moparbulldog]

Mike, since you and I seemed to have the same problem in this thread I just wanted you to know what I did that worked.  First off I got the extra rad core that the previous owner had installed out of the way of the air flow, probably pretty significant looking back now.  Remounted the trans cooler with some inventive brackets to the area in front of the rad, but not directly to it, so I would not restrict air flow.  I already had the Summit Direct Fit aluminum rad installed, then I added the 185 stat with 1/8 holes drilled in it.  I have a 3000 cfm electric fan.  After also upgrading my rad hoses I have been driving the 440 around in 95-98* heat with the gauge only reaching 185.   
I am no expert at all, and everyone else helped me out tremendoulsy.  So thanks to everyone, and good luck to Mike. 

[miketyler]

You removed the extra radiator core? You mean the AC condensor? Much as I'd like to remove it I am gonna need it. My trans cooler is in front of the condensor. There is probably 3inches of airspace between the condensor and the front of the rad.

So is that direct-fit radiator a 3 or 4 core radiator? Mine is the original two core and I am thinking on upgrading when I get my car out of the shop. I probably will retain the stock shroud and fan unless there is dramatic difference in temp going to a larger capacity radiator.

I think alot of my problem was the timing issue but the freeway test drive suggests a larger radiator is in order.

[ShelbyDogg]

Mike,
I had my Challenger out today, It was HOT so I had my AC on full blast, I got stuck in rush hour stop and go traffic due to bad lights. It must have been about 4 miles of crawling, overheat your car type 5 mph stopping stuff.  Here was a pic of my temp guage.  It never moved above this line.  I have a 484 cammed 440 with headers and A/C. Idle is set to 750 rpm. 195 degree thermostat. This is when I took this pic. Idling in traffic, with A/C on.
I'm telling you,  a 3 core, 26" radiator and fan shroud should fix you up.

Rob

[moparnut]

Rob,I think I can see your gas guage falling in that pic

[Oldschool]

Rob,I think I can see your gas guage falling in that pic

Mike's gauges:

Fuel = 
Temp = 
Cool Car Meter =   

[ShelbyDogg]

But Moparnut,

You forget that Im running Fuel injection.  It's just sipping the fuel.  If it sips too much, it sips a little bit less in a couple of milliseconds.   Gotta love it.   I set my idle rpm to 795.  When I use my A/C, the computer puts it back up to 795.  I'm in the process of doing my Cuda now, I just installed a high pressure fuel pump.

But right now, I'm sitting in the lobby of the Stardust hotel in Las Vegas just "chillin", on Vacation.  I try to post some pics after I get back from the Mopar Nats.

Rob

[moparnut]

Nice,I would like to see pics and a description of what you used.Ah Vegas,I have a salesmeeting there once or twice a year,one of them is always at the same time as the NFR(National Finals Rodeo)I Usually go one night,its a blast

[miketyler]

As a follow up to this thread, I found a shop that converted my two core to a three core radiator real cheap.

You may recall, my top tank had room for another row but the lower tank didn't so I assumed a new or custom lower tank was in order ($$). Instead, they were able to utilize my lower tank. In affect they ended up putting in three rows in about the same area as my two row core. I hope this indeed has increased the capacity of the radiator. I have to get it in the car and test it yet. Our 106 degree days are gone for a while but its still low 90's here. 

Rob - do you know how thick is your three row radiator is??

[ShelbyDogg]

The thickness seems almost as thick as the top tank.  The shop that did mine in 1986, did the same thing as yours. They just replaced the core and used my upper and lower tanks.  Yours is a 26" too right? Get the right fan shroud and fan and you should be nice and cool.

Rob