[updated:LAST EDITED ON Nov-28-02 AT 00:31 AM (CST)]Hello guys. Hows it going hope everyone has a great turkey day. Heres what i need: i need help with a radiator problem i'm going to have. I'm puting a stock 454 in my truck soon may be this saturday or sunday and well my stock radiator ain't going to cut it if i do more than idle the big block(it might not even handle that). I've got a 283 v8 in my truck and the guy i bought it from had a 350 in it but it was froze up. Now i'm getting closer to my dream engine(496 stroker with close to 600hp or more). I'm picking up this 454 on friday, and i might start putting it in my truck on friday evening. i've got headers to put on it. The guy said some thing about some edelbrock parts so it might have that(there for it would not be stock).I'm paying 600$ for the 454. Rats66 has a 454 in his truck and he was going to get some pics of his radiator but i have not heared from him since his last post about headers. so Rats66 if you see this try to get those pics for me. Getting back on track i need to know what radiator to use. i've got a mosterous 4 core that i would have to modify the inner fendes to put in along with where some of the things that mount to the radiator support, and the mounting brakets of the radiator. So any help getting a radiator that will keep my rat motor cool would be help full.If i had my stock radiator recored to a 4 core would that do the job?Have it mad wider, too. i hope everyone could fallow that. Thanks for the help. Cowboy 1961 chevy 1/2 ton shortstep known as sarah(454 coming soon)
howziit cowboy! JMO, i would try running the big-block with your original radiator, just to see how efficient/inefficient it really is. make sure you install a fan shroud, if you have one, new thermostat, and your fan is properly positioned(about 1" from radiator with no fan, half-way out the shroud, if you have one.) run the engine with 100% water, and a coolant recovery tank. try to make sure you plug up all the front end holes, so ALL of the air flows through the radiator. the timing should be correct, so as not to overheat the engine. i would recommend an aftermarket water temp gauge, to find out EXACTLY how hot it's running. that old radiator may surprise you...it MAY work perfectly for you, especially if your big-block is mild, and you're not running A/C. BTW, most engine run their hottest, while they're just idling. then, it's a test to the efficiency of your fan, shroud and the ability of your truck to rid the engine compartment of heat build-up. while your truck is moving, it tests the efficiency of the radiator, and how efficiently the frontal air is passing through(or bypassing) the radiator. if your original radiator passes with flying colors, i would treat it to a recore. that way, you will not have any radiator mounting problems.
[updated:LAST EDITED ON Nov-29-02 AT 00:52 AM (CST)]Hey thanks for the help. You are lot of help. I was thinking about haveing the original radiator recored to a 4 core. After i find out what it does stock. I don't have a fan shroud. I'm going to make one. it shouldn't bee to hard. i'll make it out of some sheet metal. the big block will be pretty much stock for a while. I don't know what all the guy has done to it i'm picking it up tomarrow. what temp rating should i get for the thermostat? i don't have a/c now but it might be an option later. well i guess i'll find out what my old girl has got. what do you think about the price 600$ less than 78,000 miles and it runs. cowboy 1961 chevy 1/2 ton shortstep known as sarah (454 coming soon)
Chevy duty sells a "desert cooler" radiator and also a fan shroud set up. No Limit (nolimit.net) sells made to order aluminum radiators. Even J.C. Whitney lists oversized radiators for 60-66 pickups. an electric pusher fan in front of the radiator, in addition to the stock fan works wonders also. Glen
[updated:LAST EDITED ON Nov-29-02 AT 04:32 PM (CST)] howziit again cowboy! your big-block would sell in Hawaii for $1200...quickly. at $600, the block and heads are cracked, and someone still buys it. i've been told that big-blocks run crappy when cold, and like running hot(195*). my 454 runs great, after a 60-second warmup, runs 185-200*, with 180* thermostat. when you finally get your heating problems under control,and choose your permanent radiator, then add your coolant mixture, maybe at 2(water):1(coolant). FYI, i live in Hawaii, land of perpetual 75-89*F outside temperature, so heaters and carb chokes are unnecessary. JMO, you don't need a 496...yet. run the big-block, maybe grind valves, HEI, QJet and headers. later, when you're done with school and land a good job, you can go as big as you can afford. your truck, just with a freshened-up 454 and headers, will haul a$$.
i went down a looked at it and it wasn't worth the money it was pretty messed up. so i'm going to live with my 283 till i get a good job and get some money. cowboy
Howziit cowboy! sooo, what was wrong with the big-block? JMO, as long as the block wasn't cracked, maybe you can "jew" the price down...
[updated:LAST EDITED ON Dec-02-02 AT 00:31 AM (CST)]well the heads were warped. Not that i can't get different heads put some other problems with some of my vehicals came up.I have to replace the rearend yoke in My 83 one ton crewcab dually (with a 454)so i had to put money else where, too. so i'm going to run my sbc with a three duece set up whit progressive linkage, and a magnum cam From comp cams. The cam is the 280H. i'm going to get the k-kit.replace the valve springs as i have to do anyways. I know that it might cost more to run my set up but i am in no hurry i think the sbc will be sufficient enough for years to come. But i would dearly love to put a big block in my truck. Cowboy
howziit again cowboy! 'cest la vie...such is life.:'( JMO, if you're gonna use your 283, that 280H cam may be way too big! choose your cams wisely; i know, i had to live with a few "dogs" myself.x(
57heaven is right, that 280H cam is waaaay to big. It's has a real lopey idle even on a 350. '66 C10 Fleetside LWB 350/350
[updated:LAST EDITED ON Dec-03-02 AT 02:32 AM (CST)] howziit again cowboy! JMO, contact the cam manufacturers, and ask them for their recommendations. if you log onto www.cranecams.com they have a form that you can fill out, and mail/fax to them. with all this info, they will be able to make an accurate recommendation. the 270H is probably STILL too big for you.
