Howdy from Texas
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,130
Likes: 3
From: Hendersonville, TN
What are you guys running for radiators? Looking at my catalogs all I see are $500 aluminum radiators and $200 fans with shrouds. Plus I might have to upgrade my radiator valance for the cross flow radiator, another $250. That's alotta collata. I've got a 5.0 and an AOD. Does anyone have any better (cheaper) ideas?
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,793
Likes: 19
From: Austin
Hi Fellow Texan,
Hmmmm... We are running a 351W & an AOD transmission. We found keeping that combination cool here in Texas was a challenge.
There also isn't a lot of space up front - at least in our set up. I would spend some time on your fan selection during your process to pick a radiator.
We tried some of the thin (under 3 inches) electric fans - Derale, etc.
Just couldn't keep up with the heat here. We eventually went with a dual speed 18 inch OEM Tbird Mark VIII Fan putting out over 4,500 CFM.
We bought it off of Ebay from a guy who sells reconditioned Mark VIII fans, relays, etc. - $120.
If you aren't building a show truck you can find whatever cooling system products you need from Salvage. Be sure that whatever radiator
you select has the transmission cooler set up down at the bottom.
Good luck down there.
Ben in Austin
1950 F1
Hmmmm... We are running a 351W & an AOD transmission. We found keeping that combination cool here in Texas was a challenge.
There also isn't a lot of space up front - at least in our set up. I would spend some time on your fan selection during your process to pick a radiator.
We tried some of the thin (under 3 inches) electric fans - Derale, etc.
Just couldn't keep up with the heat here. We eventually went with a dual speed 18 inch OEM Tbird Mark VIII Fan putting out over 4,500 CFM.
We bought it off of Ebay from a guy who sells reconditioned Mark VIII fans, relays, etc. - $120.
If you aren't building a show truck you can find whatever cooling system products you need from Salvage. Be sure that whatever radiator
you select has the transmission cooler set up down at the bottom.
Good luck down there.
Ben in Austin
1950 F1
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Hockley, TX near Houston
Such great feedback. I really appreciate it. Merv's creative idea of running an 80's radiator on its side, Charlie's beautiful fabrication, and Schuyles and AV running the eBay Champion radiator. I think I'll go with the Champion 3 core radiator. But as Ben so correctly points out, it gets hot as hell in Texas. I see that the Champion is available with either a 1600 or 2500 cfm fan. I'll check tomorrow if they have a monster 4500 fan. I hope it doesn't suck the chrome off my front grille😂
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 859
Likes: 3
From: Newberg, OR
Great progress. I just read thru the whole thread - again. I went with the KKS 3 row with molded tanks that sell on ebay but haven't run it yet. I'd be done by now if I was as fast as you are but I'm getting close.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,994
Likes: 3
From: Morgan Hill, CA
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Hockley, TX near Houston
So I'm trying to mount the bed on the frame and I have an issue with it lining up with the rear frame holes. The bed is 1" from the touching the cab and I'm still 1" away from the rear holes lining up. Any ideas?
Adding pics.
Adding pics.
FTE Legend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 283,683
Likes: 8,269
From: northwestern Ontario
It might make a difference if you install the front cross member, it will lift your box up 2 inches and allow the whole box to move forward, I noticed the same thing with my box..
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 146
From: Goulburn, NSW
I have a 3 core ebay radiator of no actual pedigree and it still runs hot. I have a Davis-Craig electronic thermostat control in the fins of the radiator and their recommendation was to have it cut it when the temp gauge goes above 190, but by then I found the engine was so hot the fan couldn't cool it down, so I dropped it down to 160 and have the fun cut in quite a lot. I guess downside is it wears the fan out quicker, but who gives a fig if it keeps it cooler. (It still doesn't but have since discovered my camshaft might have something to do with it.)
Great looking build! Lovin' the big pics! Lots of detail for us blind buggers.
Great looking build! Lovin' the big pics! Lots of detail for us blind buggers.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Hockley, TX near Houston
Thanks John. I'll try that. Can you tell me the right orientation of the crossmember. I'm guessing and can't find any good pics to refer to.