E-body 22" radiator installation... update - Mar. 21

[hemi68charger]

Hey Gang,
Figured I'd run this by you. I've started the process of getting my buddies '71 back together. I'm a learnin' when it comes to the E's. I'm installing a 22" radiator in my friend's '71 Challenger R/T v-code. Someone at one point in time installed a 26" radiator which is incorrect. We found a 22" for a '71 E-body, but it is for a 383.. Right now, no biggie, it fits... There is a slight complication that the top of the fan blade slightly hits the shroud at the top. The fan blade as an intention that looks as if it is there for clearance of the shroud. Looks like the car has been hit as some point in its life. The driver's side upper mounting point for the radiator looks like it's bowed backwards and the radiator upper transverse support looks bent. Maybe it is a case of things ever so off it causes the fan to rub the shroud. Also, maybe, just maybe there's a different fan I need? What is the length of a viscous fan blade on a car equipped with a 22" inch radiator?


Any of you guys out there with a 22" radiator, what is the gap measurement from the back of the core support to the top tank front face. I can use that as a start of tweaking and fixing.....
Thanks..
Troy

[AARuFAST]

Ur radiator is for a 340. 318

Big block rad hose is on passenger side............

[Moparal]

The hose isnt as much of a problem as is the fan spacer is not correct. You need the factory type short shaft for it to fit propper

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Ur radiator is for a 340. 318

Big block rad hose is on passenger side............

\
No I've got the stock 383 rad from NIKKI... drivers side... let me find the pics!

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Got sum better pics somewhere but here's a start

[Skunkworks Challenger]

Ur radiator is for a 340. 318

Big block rad hose is on passenger side............

Yep, my big block 22" radiator has the upper hose on the driver's side.  The part number is 2998960. I agree that the fan spacer is not correct.

[AARuFAST]

Yep, my big block 22" radiator has the upper hose on the driver's side.  The part number is 2998960. I agree that the fan spacer is not correct.

stand corrected.
Forgot it is a 71 .  the rad is smaller on the 71. the clutch fan shaft is to long need short shaft..if u look at the front support is bent.
Looks like rad sits to high. how much clearance is on the bottom of shroud............

[hemi68charger]

Anyone have pictures of the configuration of the 22" rad/shroud/18" #2863 224
 fan and appropriate spacer. I would like to get his car as close to OEM as possible. It'll make things so much easier fit-wise.

Thanks all.. Learning more and more..

[BIGSHCLUNK]

If it helps I can get you some fresh pics off my 70. (originally 383 now HEMI)

[hemi68charger]

If it helps I can get you some fresh pics off my 70. (originally 383 now HEMI)

That would be nice if it is the original 22" and 224 fan with spacer... I'd appreciate it..........

[BIGSHCLUNK]

That would be nice if it is the original 22" and 224 fan with spacer... I'd appreciate it..........

Here's the rad NIKKI was born with... Not a viscous fan tho, recently got one from a 400, havent had time to try it yet.  Hope this helps. 
Need more let me know.............

[hemi68charger]

Here's the rad NIKKI was born with... Not a viscous fan tho, recently got one from a 400, havent had time to try it yet.  Hope this helps. 
Need more let me know.............

Those help alot.. Thanks... I can see the spacer too. I'm taking it you don't have issues? We're thinking of recoring the rad. with a 4-core unit..

 

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Those help alot.. Thanks... I can see the spacer too. I'm taking it you don't have issues? We're thinking of recoring the rad. with a 4-core unit..

 

Glad to help out. The only time I've had issues, has been in traffic jam situations on really hot days. So I added a pusher fan. She will climb a little but as soon as you get going shes goes back down. BTW my rad is only 2 core (non A/C car)

[mrob]

About recoring with a 4 row core - I have a 4 row core in a brass repro 22 in. radiator in my 71 Challenger R/T. Like Bigshclunk, I have a direct-driven fan. The nice thing about the direct-driven fan is that you can try different spacers to adjust the space between the radiator core and the fan blades. I have my blades about 1.5 in. from the core. I found that if there's too much space, the airflow at idle dropped off and the engine ran hotter at idle.
One piece of advice I can give you is this: there should be a baffle in the top tank of the radiator that directs the coolant towards the center of the core. You should be able to see it when you remove the radiator cap and look down into the radiator. Make sure that baffle is put back when the radiator is recored! Without it, the coolant will bypass most of the core and you will run hot at idle! (ask me how I know about this)
Hope this helps.

[Chryco Psycho]

what engine mounts are you using ? the engine could be sitting high .
 I have the same factory set up in my car , 22" rad , upper hose is left [drivers] side .
clutch fan looks right to me although the Jag clutch is a bit shorter if that helps , I use the jag clutch in B bodies before 70 .
 It looks more bent to me , the sides seem to have a lot of clearance so the top should not be that close .