55.2-59 Cooling a big block in a 55-59

[Old57]

If you're running a big block in a 55-59, what radiator and fan combo are you running to cool it, and how well does it cool?

I'm looking at the US Radiator cross flow for 55-57, or a universal 31x19 Griffin Megacool combo unit with a shroud and 2 12" spal fans. The US Radiator is about $724 for high efficiency core, or $781 for optima core, and that is the radiator only. The Griffin combo unit is $730 for the radiator, shroud and 2 fans. Both options are obviously expensive, and the Griffin would be cheaper because it has the fans and shroud included. I want to make sure to get a cooling system that will handle my big block from the start, so this is an area that I don't want to focus on saving money... I want to be able to drive without constantly looking at the temp gauge. I have a good aluminum high flow water pump and a 180 thermostat.

So lets hear what combination you have with your big block, and how it works. I'm planning on ordering a radiator/shroud/fans within a week so I can mount everything before I take the front clip back apart to get blasted and primed.

[Speedbumpauto]

I'm using a Bryce Thomas custom radiator that fit in the stock location in my 55. Has a 16" Maridyne fan and two rows of one inch tubes. In AZ summer, it is barely acceptable, about 210 degrees when the air temp is over 100 degrees. It's American made by them and they sell on E bay. I do have a pretty intense big block, 505 cid, tunnel ram, roller cam, etc. but I don't know if a bigger rad would make it better. The under hood temp of these trucks with a big engine is nuts! There is so much air going under the truck that the air going through the rad gets bottled up by the firewall and inner fenders. My next attempt is to put some type of air dam under the front to create a low pressure area and maybe improve air flow. I'm also thinking of an oil cooler to help with engine heat. I don't have the trans cooler in the rad but do have an AC condenser.(haven't used yet) I don't want to scare you because the truck runs well all but the hottest summer days and it seems you are in the right frame of mind to not scrimp on the radiator. I'd be interested to know if a large cross flow would work better. Good luck.

[Old57]

Ok, thanks for the reply. That looks great!

The Griffin unit I'm looking at is 2 rows of 1.25" tubes, and is double pass, meaning the inlet is on the top right and water flows across the top half of the radiator to the left tank, then across the bottom half of the radiator to the lower right outlet. I have a manual transmission, so I won't have a transmission cooler.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/g...waAlzIEALw_wcB

The US Radiator that I'm looking at is a 4 row copper/brass. Both are cross flow design. I'm tempted to get the Griffin combo with the fans and shroud included. I just wanted to see what anyone else has before I commit to that. I want to buy this once and have the right set up from the start. My motor is a 461 and is built for low end torque. I know the under hood temps get high too. I may do some kind of subtle vent in the hood to let heat out.

[my56chevytruck]

I bought both my radiator and fan from Auto City Classics and I love it.
http://www.autocityclassic.com/image...cts/1427at.jpg

This is a high efficiency aluminum radiator that fits 1955-1957 Chevy's. It mounts in the stock V8 position in the car. These come with the automatic transmission cooler built into it.

Dual 1 1/8" high flow tubes, double the capacity of stock 2-row. 33% more capacity than 3-row 1/2". 1 1/2" inlet, 1 3/4" outlet.

Core size: 21" wide, 17 1/4" tall, 2 1/2" thick
Overall size: 23 1/4" wide, 23 1/2" tall, 3" thick

[roger55]

I'd go with the AutoRad setup if I were you. Comes with a shroud and dual 14" fans.





http://www.autoradradiators.com/products.htm

[Old57]

Thanks guys. That AutoRad set up looks serious. I've never heard of them, I'll have to do some checking on that.

[Fiftee3]

That AutoRad setup looks awesome!
I had issues with my 56 (car) in hot weather over 92 or so. Temp gauge would constantly climb at slow speeds, traffic etc. I had perma cool fans as pushers. I decided to put them on as pullers. What a difference. Never overheats. One fan runs automatically by temperature, the other I can turn on if needed. It is a rare occasion now that I have to even turn the second one on.
Crossflow with pullers! Good luck and stay cool!

[roger55]

Originally Posted by roger55

I'd go with the AutoRad setup if I were you. Comes with a shroud and dual 14" fans.

http://www.autoradradiators.com/products.htm

I have an AutoRad in my '55 Bel Air and I love it. I've got about 14Kmiles on it now. Took it on a 4K mile trip once. I set it up for a 2-speed operation using 3 relays and a Dakota fan controller. Also using a trinary switch on the A/C to switch the fans on high based on high side pressure.
It's never run above 190 degrees in the harshest of conditions. It also has 14" fans. No other manufacturer of these custom radiators has fans that large for these cars and trucks. They use Maradyne brand which is on par in quality with Spal.

I did not go with the AutoRad in my '57 pickup because I thought is was overkill for the 305 TPI engine I put in it.

However, a buddy of mine outside of Tucson put one in his '59 Chevy truck. It's installed but he hasn't gotten it on the road yet. I was impressed with how it installed though.

[CANUCIT]

Dewitt and they are on sale until the end of the month
My540 Dart motor does not get hot in the summer

[SparkyRnD]

http://www.rndfabrication.com/ChevyGMC55-59.html

We make bolt-in custom / conversion radiators for your application, right here in the USA using domestically sourced materials. Each radiator is built by hand and we use dual 1" thick cores, for a total core thickness of 2" (same overall thickness as a brass & copper 4-core).

We NEVER charge extra for engine swap port locations, steam ports or built-in transmission coolers.

We are a Gold Vendor and support this forum, and offer a forum-member discount ($25 off a radiator / $20 off fan & shroud package). Retail price is $525, and members of this forum get a discounted price of $500.

Hit me up with any questions or for a quote.

[Old57]

Thanks for all the info and suggestions, I appreciate it! I do need a cross flow set up with dual fans because I won't be able to clear a single fan at the motor to my water pump. 2 fans will pull more air anyway. I've been searching a LOT to try to make a decision. I don't want to regret an expensive purchase if it doesn't cool good enough. Does anyone have any experience with dual or triple pass radiators? They cut down on the water flow, but I see conflicting info if they work better or not. Also, I saw PRC makes a cross flow set up too. Any experience with that one?

[SparkyRnD]

how much room do you currently have? We have a slim-version fan that is only 2" or a little under at the center

[66_c10]

I have 4.75" from long water pump to core support, is there any combo I can use that will work?
57 3100 with 427, 79 camaro subframe and dougs D325 headers.

[SparkyRnD]

ours are 3.5" total thickness, and we have a 2.25" fan and shroud combo as the thinnest available. You could also install just the radiator, then measure for clearance and get a fan / shroud kit afterwards. Or, you can run a fan as a pusher on the front, keeping the back side open.

[66_c10]

Do you know if I could use the short water pump with the big block on the 79 camaro subframe, will the power steering pump hit the steering box?
anyone have any pictures of it if they are running short water pump?

[hogfarm]

Originally Posted by my56chevytruck

I bought both my radiator and fan from Auto City Classics and I love it.
http://www.autocityclassic.com/image...cts/1427at.jpg

This is a high efficiency aluminum radiator that fits 1955-1957 Chevy's. It mounts in the stock V8 position in the car. These come with the automatic transmission cooler built into it.

Dual 1 1/8" high flow tubes, double the capacity of stock 2-row. 33% more capacity than 3-row 1/2". 1 1/2" inlet, 1 3/4" outlet.

Core size: 21" wide, 17 1/4" tall, 2 1/2" thick
Overall size: 23 1/4" wide, 23 1/2" tall, 3" thick

Well good Morning,I have the same radiator you have in my 58,with a cooling components electric fan, I not driven my truck yet,Is your truck a runner? does radiator work good?

[66_c10]

No I am trying to figure out how to mount the radiator, it fits really nicely in the space. It is a crossflow 2 row with 1" tubes not sure what mounts to use on the top or bottom of it?
I was thinking of welding a cross bar to the frame and find some kind of mounts with cushions for the radiator to sit in.