In need of a good aluminum rad for my 521 gets hot idling, any ideas which would keep my engine cool the best?

1979 f100 521ci c6 2wd

 

Sure the timing and tune is in good shape? What about your bearing clearance?

youd be better off with a good electric fan on a 79 F350 SCS radiator for a truck with 460, auto trans and AC.

For a fan I suggest one from a Lincoln MK viii or a mid 90s Taurus.


My 521 never sees above 190ish* when racing.

 

Before layout hard earned coin for an aluminum radiator, I'd double check the OEM cooling system. They're usually overbuilt to handle extra work.

My $0.02 on this is to first: Run a fan shroud, a bottle or two of Redline Water Wetter or Royal Purple's Purple Ice, a lower temp thermostat, a fan clutch or electric fan w/ commensurate hi-amp alternator, and a recirculating catch can.

Griffin offers universal radiators: Off Road Fluid Coolers : Griffinrad.com | Off Road Cooling | Off Road Racing

as does C&R: Radiators « C&R Racing

Jeg's carries an applicaton specific model from Be Cool for {gulp} $722, PN 134-62025.

 

ALUMINUM RADIATOR 1966-1979 FORD TRUCK 2 ROW 1" TUBES | eBay

ALL ALUMINUM RADIATOR 1966-1979 FORD TRUCK 3 ROW | eBay

 

I called napa or cq and for a stock rad for an f350 460 and they quoted $4xx, I said to hell with that.

 

Thanks to everyone for the info. I do have a shroud, fan clutch its a stock 351m rad.

 

I paid right at 200 for mine from Napa but that was about 6 years ago. I didnt know theyve gone up quite that much. Regardless, you'll have 400 in a bolt in aluminum radiator and it wont necessarily be better than what you have stock. You can buy universal radiators from Summit and Jegs for around $200 though.



More importantly WHY is your engine overheating. Theres no reason an engine with a fan clutch and shroud should overheat if your tune, timing, engine and cooling system is in otherwise good condition.

 

I have found that radiator/fan combo to be too small for its designed application when at idle or under load. My 351M would run the heat up terrible until I switched to the bigger radiator out of a '76 460 equipped truck. I had the radiator laying around, so it didn't cost me anything. You could go with a larger radiator or get the electric fan and alternator rig. The fan/alt rig isn't very costly and has been done by lots of guys on this site.

One question: Has the radiator been flushed anytime recently?

 

I went through this with a 523" in my 78 Cougar. OEM big block Modine (true Modine) Radiator for a Torino with a big block, 7 blade Lincoln clutch fan and oem fan shroud, car would still get hot at idle, and slowly increase in temps while cruising. Open the hood, I'd burn my eyebrows. Water Wetter/full water made no real difference. Lower temp T-Stats, High Flow T-stats, again, no real difference.

Tried an aftermarket aluminum radiator (Champion Radiators), two core (all they had), was "better". Went to MK VIII fan and added a chin lip under the rad support (that should have been there OEM). It's 'better'. Temp still runs up fairly quick IMO, but the fan keeps it under control.

 

Well its a higj hp 521, trying to get cooled with a stock rad for a 351

 

It did good on the 351, and yes ive flushed it

 

Champion didn't have the 4-row radiator available? That thing is a monster and should get the job done!

 

Glad to know you arent the only one. Let me guess...iron heads, 800hp, pump gas and street driven?

 

Iron heads, 510 HP, pump gas (E10) and street driven here, yes.

 

i would think the 3 row link i posted should do the job.
they had a 4 row but currently are out of them.