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  •  » Biggest Radiator in a 5.0 Swap?

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    9/15/2020 2:20 PM  #1

    TremendousWand
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    Registered: 5/16/2013
    Posts: 657

    Biggest Radiator in a 5.0 Swap?

    5.0 swapped into a 1966 coupe....

    So what't the biggest radiator I can fit in the car w/ a shroud.  MS I saw the write up you did on swapping a 1967-69 24" radiator into a '65.  The width would work but the thickness isn't close to working.  I'd have to find a way to seat the radiator forward by at least an inch.  This is the radiator I have now:

    https://www.becool.com/product/downflow-radiator-direct-fit-natural-finish-60-65-falcon-futura-rancho-squire-64-66-ford

    It came w/ the car.  I didin't choose it.  I imagine it was chosen for fit more than performance.  I have a 16 inch electric fan and I have maybe 1/4" between the spinning water pump hub from up of the engine and the fan.  It was the lowest profile fan I could find.  

    expressionless face emojis

    The current radiator w/ the fan is able to hold temp but if I idle for too long the temp will start to go up.  I have a 180 deg thermostat.  I drove about 100 miles this past weekend at 60-70 mph no problem but got caught in an idle traffic jam for 30 min and the temp got past 220 deg and had to pull over.

    I'd rather address the issue once and for all and upgrade the radiator and not worry about it.  Ideally, i'd find a way to get 20" wide as opposed to the 17" I have now AND still have a fan.

    thanks

     

     

    9/21/2020 8:02 PM  #2

    Nos681
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

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    From: Atlantic Mine, Michigan
    Registered: 7/14/2016
    Posts: 3,046

    Re: Biggest Radiator in a 5.0 Swap?

    I’m running a two row 1” tubes aluminum radiator for a 65 w/289 (non staggered) on my 5.0 and a 14” electric fan.
    Both from Summit Racing.
    Fan is on via relay when ignition is on.

    I don’t have a/c yet either.
    I haven’t had cooling issues, just power steering pump.

     

    9/22/2020 7:22 AM  #3

    MS
    Forum Originator

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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 11,717

    Re: Biggest Radiator in a 5.0 Swap?

    “ I imagine it was chosen for fit more than performance.“

    There, you have it.

    If you trim the core support per the article, the 24” radiator fits perfectly.   I understand some might not want to cut their core support

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    9/22/2020 7:47 AM  #4

    BobE
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    From: White Plains, NY
    Registered: 4/04/2013
    Posts: 2,183

    Re: Biggest Radiator in a 5.0 Swap?

    My Cooling System Details …


    • Aluminum Radiator: Summit SUM-380461 (Manufactured by “Northern”)
      • [list=circle]
    • Installs in the stock location.
    • Core dimensions: W15.625”x H 17.375”x D 2.25”
    • Inlet & outlet on Passenger Side

  • Flow Kool Water Pump (#1680)
  • Electric Fan: Spal 16” single-speed #30102120
  • No Fan shroud.
  • DCC Fan Controller #FK45
  • 180° Thermostat

    •  Note that I had to slightly trim the nose of the water pump to avoid contact with the electric fan.  There is about 1/4" gap now.
    I have a Vintage AC system and have been in stop-and-go city traffic w/AC on w/o any temperature rise.   If I had to do it over, I'd use the 24" wide radiator as MS describes.  

    65 Fastback, 351W, 5-speed, 4 wheel discs, 9" rear,  R&C Front End.
     

    9/22/2020 11:25 AM  #5

    Nos681
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    From: Atlantic Mine, Michigan
    Registered: 7/14/2016
    Posts: 3,046

    Re: Biggest Radiator in a 5.0 Swap?

    Last night I took a look at my older Hayden 16” electric fan.
    You may want to verify if blades are in stalled correctly, especially if fan blade can be flipped over like mine.
    And check rotation when installed is correct too.

    This fan could be used as a puller fan (behind radiator) or pusher fan ( in front of radiator).
    Just a thought.

    Last edited by Nos681 (9/22/2020 11:31 AM)

     

    9/24/2020 9:43 PM  #6

    Nos681
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    From: Atlantic Mine, Michigan
    Registered: 7/14/2016
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    Re: Biggest Radiator in a 5.0 Swap?

    Take a look at this information.

    https://fyi.boardhost.com/viewtopic.php?id=10311

     

    10/30/2020 12:24 AM  #7

    Raven62
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    Registered: 4/02/2019
    Posts: 2

    Re: Biggest Radiator in a 5.0 Swap?

    Just curious I, I am running an injected 5.0 with the reverse flow water pump with and old 70ish radiator with a couple of electric fans.  I don't have any trouble overheating at all but I recently discovered coolant being blown out of the overflow tube under the cap while it is running.  I was wondering if it is caused by the flow direction?  
     

     

    10/30/2020 6:45 AM  #8

    Bullet Bob
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    From: Montrose, Colorado
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 4,774

    Re: Biggest Radiator in a 5.0 Swap?

    Raven62 wrote:

    Just curious I, I am running an injected 5.0 with the reverse flow water pump with and old 70ish radiator with a couple of electric fans.  I don't have any trouble overheating at all but I recently discovered coolant being blown out of the overflow tube under the cap while it is running.  I was wondering if it is caused by the flow direction?  
     

    Flow direction should be the same, just that the rotation of the water pump is reversed.  Does it blow out the overflow tube all the time or only after you top it off?  Most of these are happy if you run the radiator about an inch below the sealing flange of the cap.  Otherwise you'll either always have a little blow out until it finishes expanding or you'll need to run a recovery tank to catch that expanded coolant.

    BB1
     

    "you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
     

    10/30/2020 7:09 AM  #9

    Steve69
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    From: Madison Wisconsin
    Registered: 4/01/2013
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    Re: Biggest Radiator in a 5.0 Swap?

    I have 69 Mustang and I swapped in a 5.0 Fox Body Radiator in mine.  Had do some trimming on the core.  I think I Paid like $90 for the radiator.  It works really well. 

    Last edited by Steve69 (10/30/2020 7:09 AM)

     

    10/30/2020 3:08 PM  #10

    Steve69
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    From: Madison Wisconsin
    Registered: 4/01/2013
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    Re: Biggest Radiator in a 5.0 Swap?

     

    10/30/2020 10:52 PM  #11

    Raven62
    Active Member

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    Registered: 4/02/2019
    Posts: 2

    Re: Biggest Radiator in a 5.0 Swap?

    BB1,
    Thanks for the reply and explanation.  I was thinking that I may have to switch to a cross flow radiator of some sort.  Like I mentioned earlier I haven't had any heating problems, so I didn't want to mess with it.  Thanks again.
    Greg

     

    10/31/2020 3:53 PM  #12

    RTM
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    From: Cape Coral FL
    Registered: 5/22/2019
    Posts: 1,036

    Re: Biggest Radiator in a 5.0 Swap?

    I need to decide on the 24 inch mod to my radiator support.  I have a 418(stroked 351W) and plan on running AC and live in Southern Florida.  Not sure I want to go that route just yet but don't want to have to go that route after I build the car either.

     

    10/31/2020 4:35 PM  #13

    josh-kebob
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    From: Madison, AL
    Registered: 4/06/2013
    Posts: 2,902

    Re: Biggest Radiator in a 5.0 Swap?

    I did the mod per MS instructions. No problems with over heating when cruising in the Alabama summer heat. At least you have options other than stock.

     

     

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