Cooling question (radiator)

[dutchlincoln79]

Hello,

I have a '79 Lincoln Towncar with a 400 engine, and a few weeks ago when it was hot, it got "over" heated to 210 deg.
It has a 2-row copper/brass radiator.
My intentions are to put a 460 in it, from a '91 truck, with FI. Currently, i run on propane.

Now, i want to replace my radiator, but where i run into, is that most radiators are even smaller...?
The stock one has a size of 35.5"X23"X3" , core 29.5X17 7/8X1 7/8.

When i look at replacement (aluminum preferrably)radiators, they're all a few inches smaller....
Largest i've found, is 31" wide, with a core width of 26"...

Now, what shall i do?

Can i safely buy a radiator thats 3 inches smaller, but Aluminum, OR a extra core (when copper/brass..)?

Does anybody know where to get one best, for a nice price?

I just want to get the best cooling possible, as i'm going to put the 460 in it also.
Besides, i'm thinking of removing the fan, and making it all electric, with a large and a smaller fan, which will go on at different temp's.

Any info is highly appreciated, thanks.

[Dirt racer]

The aluminum radiators cool 15% better than copper or brass from what I am reading out of the magazine. I run an aluminum radiator in my 73 tbird and my 75 f100 4x4 and they both work very well. I have an electric fan in my truck an it keeps it cool. I bought mine from performancebodies.com out of Iowa for under $200. Just have to run a exernal transmission cooler it you run an auto trans. The fan I got from summit racing and its adjustable for when it comes on. Been real happy with that.

[dutchlincoln79]

Just took a quick peek at performancebodies.com, and indeed again: max. width is 31 inches...
Do i have such a strange size radiator?
When i look at Rockauto, there is a 2 and 3 row in the correct size, but i havn't found it anywhere else, or in aluminum.
Aluminum cools and flows a bit better indeed, but i wonder if that still holds when i downsize the radiator on the other end...

[Bear 45/70]

Why not just get your present radiator recored to a 4 core setup? Be cheaper than after market and would still work with your present fan and shroud.

[dutchlincoln79]

no, it won't...
I live in the netherlands.
Recoring a Rad cost' about 450 euro's, which equals approx. $700...
I can buy 2 new radiators for that..

besides, i like the aluminum version, and i intend to upgrade to electric fan's...

[Bear 45/70]

Originally Posted by dutchlincoln79

no, it won't...
I live in the netherlands.
Recoring a Rad cost' about 450 euro's, which equals approx. $700...
I can buy 2 new radiators for that..

besides, i like the aluminum version, and i intend to upgrade to electric fan's...

That just goes to show that they will cheat you anyway they can. Repaired or modified should always be cheaper than new, less new materials involved.