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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Performance => Topic started by: TexasRed on April 11, 2009, 10:34:45 pm

Title: Radiator choices
Post by: TexasRed on April 11, 2009, 10:34:45 pm: I'm building a 383 for my 1984 GMC C-10 I guess, halfton fleetside. I'm trying to find a good radiator to kool this beast down. I'll be running near 9.7:1 compression (gonna try to use some thicker head gaskets to get the compression down). Ok, here are some choices I found:

http://www.oreillyauto.com/EW3/ProductDetail.do?id=1871252736&line=TPR&itemNumber=436016&manualPerfCategoryIndex=173&vehicle=1984GMCC15/C1500%20PICKUPV8-350%20%205.7L&bid=1239506729169&cycleCount=988&currentPage=0 (http://www.oreillyauto.com/EW3/ProductDetail.do?id=1871252736&line=TPR&itemNumber=436016&manualPerfCategoryIndex=173&vehicle=1984GMCC15/C1500%20PICKUPV8-350%20%205.7L&bid=1239506729169&cycleCount=988&currentPage=0)
Parts store, I believe it's a 3 core radiator. Should cool pretty well, but. . . . .

http://www.radiatorswarehouse.com/item.view.php?category=3518&quentity=&itemid=6378&category_data=YTo0OntzOjQ6Ik1ha2UiO3M6OToiQ0hFVlJPTEVUIjtzOjU6Ik1vZGVsIjtzOjE4OiJDL0sgU0VSSUVTIFBJQ0tVUFMiO3M6NDoiWWVhciI7czo0OiIxOTg0IjtzOjY6IkVuZ2luZSI7czo2OiJWOCA1LjciO30%3D&mode= (http://www.radiatorswarehouse.com/item.view.php?category=3518&quentity=&itemid=6378&category_data=YTo0OntzOjQ6Ik1ha2UiO3M6OToiQ0hFVlJPTEVUIjtzOjU6Ik1vZGVsIjtzOjE4OiJDL0sgU0VSSUVTIFBJQ0tVUFMiO3M6NDoiWWVhciI7czo0OiIxOTg0IjtzOjY6IkVuZ2luZSI7czo2OiJWOCA1LjciO30%3D&mode=)
Chinese-made 3 core aluminum radiator. Cheaper than the one above but some of the chinese quality is somewhat lacking. I know I know, some of the engine parts for the 383 will be chinese but still.

My only other option is. .. .
alumrad.com

If they can make a radiator that will cool as well/better than a four core, for less than $300, I may go that route.

Does anybody have any other options? I don't see summit selling much other than the Griffin and BeCool radiators but they are a little out of my price range.

Obviously, I want to do some towing, but it's a shortbox halfton so within reason. I'm in Houston (Texas not Alaska), although maybe that can turn into Austin or OKC.

Thanks!

Oh yeah, has anybody ever put antichatter grooves into an oil pump?
Title: Re: Radiator choices
Post by: Russ130 on April 11, 2009, 11:03:28 pm: Why would some of the engine parts be chinese? Are you doing a budget build? I have a 383 and run the factory 4 row with no overheating problems what so ever. I'd look into a junkyard for a good 4 row radiator for your truck.
Title: Re: Radiator choices
Post by: Lt.Del on April 11, 2009, 11:53:22 pm: Yeah, what Russ said.

I have a 383 and run a 4 core and never, ever, even when pulling 7k lbs, have heating problems. I also have a hi flo h20 pump.

just buy a 4 core. I got mine for $200
www.delbridge.net/install
Title: Re: Radiator choices
Post by: TexasRed on April 12, 2009, 12:03:11 am: It's hard to find a crankshaft that is not chinese for a 383 without going with an actual 400 crank. Also, the intake manifold will be a professional products.

Couldn't find a 4-core. Would prefer one with no plastic.
Title: Re: Radiator choices
Post by: choptop on April 12, 2009, 07:35:25 am: I have bought several from Autozone. Have you tried them?? Just tell them you want a rad for an 83 c3500 with auto and 454. The last one I bought was around $200
Title: Re: Radiator choices
Post by: TexasRed on April 12, 2009, 05:36:48 pm: That seemed to do the trick. Autozone's website now shows a 4 core for that setup. Do they bolt up the same?

I'll have to measure but here:
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog/parts/partsProduct.jsp?itemIdentifier=758336_22646_0_&skuDescription=Spectra+Premium+/+Radiator&brandName=Spectra+Premium&displayName=Radiator&categoryNValue=&sortType=&store=1459&isSearchByPartNumber=&fromWhere=&fromString=&itemId=prod10863&navValue=16300172&filterByKeyWord=&productId=758336&appQuestionText=&searchText=&categoryDisplayName=Cooling+%26+Heating&parentId=cat10018&questions=%5Bcom.autozone.diy.valueobject.NavigationItem%4014ebc71%2C+com.autozone.diy.valueobject.NavigationItem%4035a690%2C+com.autozone.diy.valueobject.NavigationItem%404a769e%2C+com.autozone.diy.valueobject.NavigationItem%40b1ac5b%5D
Title: Re: Radiator choices
Post by: VileZambonie on April 12, 2009, 05:41:28 pm: Run the autozone one
Title: Re: Radiator choices
Post by: TexasRed on April 12, 2009, 07:41:13 pm: Good deal boss, I'll order one from them in a couple days so I can get it in the truck while I'm waiting for the engine kit to get here and the block prepped for it.
Title: Re: Radiator choices
Post by: Lt.Del on April 12, 2009, 08:34:34 pm: throw an external tranmission cooler on the front of the radiator before you put the grille back on--it'll probably save your tranny one day if you do any pulling
Title: Re: Radiator choices
Post by: TexasRed on April 13, 2009, 08:21:19 pm: Got one already, although I may make a mount for it instead of using the plastic tab things to attach it to the radiator.
Title: Re: Radiator choices
Post by: Mr Diesel on April 15, 2009, 01:41:15 am: I do not recommend attaching it to the radiator, even temporarily. My radiator shop warned me not to, I did it anyway on a new radiator. I even used the zip-ties and foam pads that came in the installation kit. It looked like it would be fine but 2 years later I had leaks there. Never again.
Title: Re: Radiator choices
Post by: fitz on April 15, 2009, 08:49:23 pm: Quote from: TexasRed on April 13, 2009, 08:21:19 pm
Got one already, although I may make a mount for it instead of using the plastic tab things to attach it to the radiator.
It's easy enough to do. You can just bolt/weld some 1/2" wide flat stock to the rad support in front of the radiator.
The same goes for mounting an electric fan. Most rads have a ridge on the top/bottom to bolt the flat stock onto. It makes a great mounting point.