Radiator for A/C equipped 350 ?

[8door]

My 1968 C10 had the wrong engine a 350 replacement engine.
The radiator in it now has the auto trans fluid tubing , so that
confirmed the trans.
There is no SPID so have no idea re original engine size.
I added A/C and now need to get it operating, hot summer coming.
The new engine I installed is a crate 350 290 hp, the cooling is good until
hot days the temp reads between normal and hot.
The shrouded fan 5 blade, has a new hydraulic clutch.
With this setup , what would you recommend for a larger raditor to handle
the heat ?
PS this is a daily driver in sunny So.California.

[MagmaJct]

Sunny Southern Cali? I remember hearing that phrase anytime I tried to work on the cooling system of my VW when I lived there.

I suppose it all depends on how close to the coast you live, right? Climate knows no political borders, just proximity to water and elevation.

Anyway, as long as you have all the proper cooling components, radiator, shroud, fan clutch, correct thermostat, you should be fine, irregardless of climate. The correct thermostat regulates the coolant to around 195F.

I live in the AZ desert, it's not uncommon to peak around in the summer 118F. 118F is still mighty cold compared to 195! If your engine overheats, it means something's missing or broken. (Like clogged radiator.)

[8door]

Originally Posted by MagmaJct

Sunny Southern Cali? I remember hearing that phrase anytime I tried to work on the cooling system of my VW when I lived there.

I suppose it all depends on how close to the coast you live, right? Climate knows no political borders, just proximity to water and elevation.

Anyway, as long as you have all the proper cooling components, radiator, shroud, fan clutch, correct thermostat, you should be fine, irregardless of climate. The correct thermostat regulates the coolant to around 195F.

I live in the AZ desert, it's not uncommon to peak around in the summer 118F. 118F is still mighty cold compared to 195! If your engine overheats, it means something's missing or broken. (Like clogged radiator.)

I have considered that, could be the original radiator, fluid is clean.
"Climate knows no political borders" could that be the reason for living in Ariz ?

[MagmaJct]

Originally Posted by 8door

I have considered that, could be the original radiator, fluid is clean.
"Climate knows no political borders" could that be the reason for living in Ariz ?

No. When I lived in San Diego, a lot of "experts" ran without a thermostat arguing that "this is southern California, it doesn't get cold enough to need one!"

Always a stupid argument. It actually snows in many parts of southern California! And to your point, there are parts that get extremely hot.

Southern California has many diverse climates! Hot in some areas, cold in others. Stock set up, there should be no concerns about cooling.

[8door]

Originally Posted by MagmaJct

No. When I lived in San Diego, a lot of "experts" ran without a thermostat arguing that "this is southern California, it doesn't get cold enough to need one!"

Always a stupid argument. It actually snows in many parts of southern California! And to your point, there are parts that get extremely hot.

Southern California has many diverse climates! Hot in some areas, cold in others. Stock set up, there should be no concerns about cooling.

What I was trying to get at is with the addition of A/C air conditioner it will increase the need to get rid of more heat than just the engine and transmission.

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by 8door

What I was trying to get at is with the addition of A/C air conditioner it will increase the need to get rid of more heat than just the engine and transmission.

Yes.... but it shouldn't be necessary unless your cooling system was marginal before you added A/C.

You mentioned a 5-blade fan. My factory air-equipped '72 has a seven-blade, for whatever that's worth. You say your new fan clutch is hydraulic -- is it a thermal or non-thermal? Standard-duty or heavy duty? Is your fan correctly located in the shroud?

Some good info on this site: http://www.haydenauto.com/featured%2...s/content.aspx

[FirstOwner69]

I've heard that A/C trucks all had 7 blade fans several times on the forum. However, my factory A/C '69 with 350 and TH400 has the original 5 blade fan, fan clutch, shroud and 4 row radiator. I'm 100% sure it's original. That's not to say most others didn't have 7 blade fans. Maybe the change was made sometime after my truck was made.

I have never had an overheat problem and used to carry a heavy 11' cab over camper all over the west. We lived in southern California and frequently drove over the mountains (the grapevine) and through the "central valley" at temps over 100*. Never came close to overheating. However, that was between 1969 and 1972 when the truck was new.

Do you know what radiator you have 8door?

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

Do you know what radiator you have 8door?

Good question and I forgot to ask him. Also, fluid is clean but radiator "could be original". Any idea what condition it is in? Might be time for a rebuild or a new one.

[8door]

I take what your all saying is" was no specific radiator for A/C equiped trucks"

[cdowns]

I had no problems with a 3core radiator even when I was traveling fully loaded with fleamarket crap lots of thousand plus mile trips never overheated

[8door]

Originally Posted by cdowns

I had no problems with a 3core radiator even when I was traveling fully loaded with fleamarket crap lots of thousand plus mile trips never overheated

A/C on ?

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by 8door

I take what your all saying is" was no specific radiator for A/C equiped trucks"

The factory A/C option included heavy duty cooling which in turn included a 4 row radiator and, I believe, the clutch fan and shroud. It appears that at some point the 7 blade fan may have been added to the HD cooling package.

[8door]

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

The factory A/C option included heavy duty cooling which in turn included a 4 row radiator and, I believe, the clutch fan and shroud. It appears that at some point the 7 blade fan may have been added to the HD cooling package.

OK that is what I would figure the factory would build. A 4 row core rad.
To answer your original question FisrtOwner, I don't know what mine is . I will go look and take it from there.
Thanks

[cdowns]

Originally Posted by 8door

A/C on ?

ye ac on and 95-100 degree days no problems