[nettio]

Installing a GM 350/350 in an old Volvo. Previously had a 283 with standard 15"x15" radiator. Engine would heat up in 95 degree ambient..but did not boil over (always shut down and cooled before continuing on)

Currently modifying the installation and will have a 20" x 15" radiator in front and am considering using a remote radiator mounted under the rear of the vehicle (gas tank is now in trunk) with cooling fans etc.

Mounted a IMSA Mazda rotart in a 914 years back and used exhaust tubes to route water to radiator in front. Worked OK. Only problem being that the engine was spinning 8000 much of the time and did not reduce size of the water pump pulley.

Would like input on running two radiators in the Volvo.

Thanks.......Al Padur........Reno

 

[Y1DER]

ONE RADIATOR WILL BE SUFFICIENT, TRY CALLING OR E MAILING RON DAVIS RADIATORS, A 26x19 (AROUND THAT SIZE) DUAL CORE WILL BE MORE THAN GOOD FOR A SBC IN ANY APPLICATION, A GOOD PULLER FAN THAT HAS A SHROUDING IS BEST. RUN A 185 - 190 THERMOSTAT SO IT WILL CYCLE AND EXPECT IT TO RUN AT ABOUT 190-210 WHICH IS GREAT FOR SBC ( OPTIMUM ZERO WEAR TEMPERATURE IS 210 DEGREES) NEW CARS ARE RUNNING AT AROUND 230 237 DEGREES, AMBIENT TEMP OUT SIDE ONLY HAS A SMALL FACTOR IN ENGINE RUNNING TEMP. RUN PREMIX 50/50 MIXTURE ANTIFREEZE WITH DISTILLED WATER ONLY!(NOT DEXCOOL) THAT STUFF GUMS AT HIGHER TEMPS..NOT GOOD. I RUN A 350 MILD STREET IN (REAR) 930 PORSCHEAND THATS A HARD APPLICATION TO COOL, I NEVER GO OVER 213 IN 100 PLUS WEATHER.THE MAIN THING IS TOO MAKE SURE YOU ARE PULLING IN COOLER AIR, NOT ENGINE TEMP AIR, THAT IS THE REASON TO HAVE A FAN SET UP THAT IS DUCTED.YOU DO NOT WANT TO RECYCLE HOT AIR THROUGH THE RADIATOR.
HOPE THIS HELPS
GREG

 

[nettio]

Greg: Thank you

perhaps I did not explain my problem. The original front clip (between the fenders) would only accept a 15" radiator. I have a clip comming that will accept a 20" wide by 15" deep radiator.

I may have to proceed with a second (remote) radiator and wondered if anyone else has used two radiators and with what success.

Thanks for your thoughful reply.

Al Padur

 

[poncho62]

You are saying 15X16 and 15X20 rads,. but are they single core, double core, triple core thickness?

I would think that a 15X20 in double or triple core rad would be more than sufficient for your car....as long as it has decent airflow through it. No need for an extra rad and all the extra plumbing etc needed.

An electric fan might also help a lot.

 

[brainsboy]

Well Im currently working on a suzuki samurai for street and 1/4mile. It has a 408 windsor stroker motor in it, and because the motor took so much space I had to mount the radiator in the back. Im not using two radiators but im running it all the way to the back like you want to with your second radiator. Doing this will not help unless you force air through it, fans will not help at all, you HAVE to force the air through. My radiator is 48" wide thats 4foot wide and a 4 core, it is HUGH!!, I replaced the entire tailgate with a custom made radiator, and even with 4 fans on each side, (total of 8 fans) the motor can not keep cool for cruzing. I went to talk to a specialist and he has his motor keeping cool with a little radiator in the front. The reason being is that electric fans only help for idle. I would guess that running two radiators will not help unless you can make some sort of scoop that will force air through it.
One problem also is that my pump didnt seem to work well pushing that far, so I custom made my own pulley about 1" smaller then stock to speed up the pump.

Ben