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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Engine/Drivetrain => Topic started by: gwcrim on May 14, 2016, 11:04:16 am

Title: Cooling a 400
Post by: gwcrim on May 14, 2016, 11:04:16 am

Things are coming around quickly.  I need to sort out my engine and trans cooling.  The 400 is 9.5:1compression with aluminum heads, so it's not radical.  I have a brand new 3 core replacement radiator that would have come in a 400 C10, shroud and a 7 blade clutch fan.  I believe that would work, no?

The trans is a built 200-4R.  To cool it, I have a 15"x8" 16 pass cooler.  That's more than enough so I plan to use it and bypass the one in the radiator.  Here's my big question.  Because the trans cooler is about 25% of the size of the radiator, will it block too much air and cause the engine to overheat?

Title: Re: Cooling a 400
Post by: Engineer on May 14, 2016, 03:24:40 pm

My 400sb came with a 4-core radiator the same model used in the 454 trucks. My truck had an auto trans and A/C.

The transmission cooler shouldn't be a problem. The A/C condenser, if you have one, covers the entire front of the radiator opening.

Title: Re: Cooling a 400
Post by: gwcrim on May 14, 2016, 05:03:51 pm

I think I've devised a way to mount it to the middle support.  That would keep it 4-6" in front of the radiator.

Title: Re: Cooling a 400
Post by: gwcrim on May 15, 2016, 02:36:05 pm

It's been a year since I ordered the radiator.  Opened it today for the first time.  This is what I have:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pli-433161

It's a BIG single core.  Adequate?

Title: Re: Cooling a 400
Post by: Captain Swampy on May 21, 2016, 02:41:29 pm

Keep the coolers close together. If you leave a big gap, the air will flow around the tranny cooler, not through it.