Champion Radiators???
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2019
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I used the Champion cc545 radiator for my 78 Bronco when I swapped in a 460. Fits perfectly and a factory 460 shroud bolted right up with no modification.
It's a 3-row radiator and I use a 192* thermostat and a factory clutch fan. Temp usually sits around 190ish and will only hit 196 after a looooot of idling like when crawling around off-road. I'll most likely use the same radiator whenever I do the engine swap on my 77 f100.
I do agree that the cap isn't that great. I had to bend the little tabs on it to get it to seal tightly, otherwise it would leak once the system was pressurized.
Attachment 279776
Attachment 279777
It's a 3-row radiator and I use a 192* thermostat and a factory clutch fan. Temp usually sits around 190ish and will only hit 196 after a looooot of idling like when crawling around off-road. I'll most likely use the same radiator whenever I do the engine swap on my 77 f100.
I do agree that the cap isn't that great. I had to bend the little tabs on it to get it to seal tightly, otherwise it would leak once the system was pressurized.
Attachment 279776
Attachment 279777
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,193
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From: Near Los Angeles
The Mk8 is the king. I think what I find discouraging about it is the power draw and the spike when it starts. It loves to fry wire and relays, so make sure you're properly set up. I think the soft start controllers would be the perfect solution to the killer spikes that fan causes. Good luck.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,193
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From: Near Los Angeles
Well, my Champion radiator arrived today. I opened the box and on the plastic that covers the rad. it is written: Made in China. I propose that Champion change their logo from the racing flags to a pair of chopsticks. Well, I guess that settles that argument. I had hoped that since their plant is less than 50 miles from me that their rads might be made in the USA. Well, I suppose that if it only lasts 2 years as the Summit aluminum rads do, then I'll have a rad for 2 years. I do need a new cap with the sacrificial anode on it.
I have a new copper/brass rad on it now, but it is only has two rows of 1/2" tubes. It just doesn't expose enough tube area to the air, because my efan never turns off on it reaches 200* The fan holds it at 195 or so, but will not drop the temp. With my old rad. (two rows of 1" tubes) the same fans would drop the temp 15* within two minutes.
I'm hoping that I'll be able to fit a Taurus fan once it is installed.
I have a new copper/brass rad on it now, but it is only has two rows of 1/2" tubes. It just doesn't expose enough tube area to the air, because my efan never turns off on it reaches 200* The fan holds it at 195 or so, but will not drop the temp. With my old rad. (two rows of 1" tubes) the same fans would drop the temp 15* within two minutes.
I'm hoping that I'll be able to fit a Taurus fan once it is installed.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,193
Likes: 387
From: Near Los Angeles
[QUOTE=Doosenberry;19930614]I used the Champion cc545 radiator for my 78 Bronco when I swapped in a 460. Fits perfectly and a factory 460 shroud bolted right up with no modification.
It's a 3-row radiator and I use a 192* thermostat and a factory clutch fan. Temp usually sits around 190ish and will only hit 196 after a looooot of idling like when crawling around off-road. I'll most likely use the same radiator whenever I do the engine swap on my 77 f100../QUOTE]
Three row, great. But what size are the tubes? 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", 1", 1.25"?? Nevermind. It's three rows of 5/8" tubes. That's a great radiator that should fulfill all your needs.
It's a 3-row radiator and I use a 192* thermostat and a factory clutch fan. Temp usually sits around 190ish and will only hit 196 after a looooot of idling like when crawling around off-road. I'll most likely use the same radiator whenever I do the engine swap on my 77 f100../QUOTE]
Three row, great. But what size are the tubes? 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", 1", 1.25"?? Nevermind. It's three rows of 5/8" tubes. That's a great radiator that should fulfill all your needs.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
Well, my Champion radiator arrived today. I opened the box and on the plastic that covers the rad. it is written: Made in China. I propose that Champion change their logo from the racing flags to a pair of chopsticks. Well, I guess that settles that argument. I had hoped that since their plant is less than 50 miles from me that their rads might be made in the USA. Well, I suppose that if it only lasts 2 years as the Summit aluminum rads do, then I'll have a rad for 2 years. I do need a new cap with the sacrificial anode on it.
I have a new copper/brass rad on it now, but it is only has two rows of 1/2" tubes. It just doesn't expose enough tube area to the air, because my efan never turns off on it reaches 200* The fan holds it at 195 or so, but will not drop the temp. With my old rad. (two rows of 1" tubes) the same fans would drop the temp 15* within two minutes.
I'm hoping that I'll be able to fit a Taurus fan once it is installed.
I have a new copper/brass rad on it now, but it is only has two rows of 1/2" tubes. It just doesn't expose enough tube area to the air, because my efan never turns off on it reaches 200* The fan holds it at 195 or so, but will not drop the temp. With my old rad. (two rows of 1" tubes) the same fans would drop the temp 15* within two minutes.
I'm hoping that I'll be able to fit a Taurus fan once it is installed.
There is no domestic radiator building by Champion (There couldn't be for the price they charge). I have been to the Lake Elsinore headquarters and it's just warehouse with thousands of radiators.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 3,554
Likes: 442
Here is my experience with Champion.
Champion Radiators customer service - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums (ford-trucks.com)
Champion Radiators customer service - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums (ford-trucks.com)
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Near Los Angeles
Thanks for the link to the other thread. That makes me curious if vibration is the problem with the aluminum radiators. I had the same issue mentioned in that thread, the leaking where the tubes meet the tank. I can see using a pad on the perch for cross flow radiators, but the downflow models are bolted to the body cross member.
At first, with the first cross flow, I thought the weight of the efan might have caused the leaks. But with the second cross-flow, I mounted the fan to the body, and it lasted the same length of time as the first cross-flow.
This is a two row, 1" tubes, and the size of the radiator provides nearly 1,000 sq. inches of tube exposed to cooling air. It works well.
Below is the old rad. from Summit.
Attachment 279632
Below is the new made in China Chop stix Champion rad:
At first, with the first cross flow, I thought the weight of the efan might have caused the leaks. But with the second cross-flow, I mounted the fan to the body, and it lasted the same length of time as the first cross-flow.
This is a two row, 1" tubes, and the size of the radiator provides nearly 1,000 sq. inches of tube exposed to cooling air. It works well.
Below is the old rad. from Summit.
Attachment 279632
Below is the new made in China Chop stix Champion rad:
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,193
Likes: 387
From: Near Los Angeles
Well, I'm a bit perplexed. I like the radiator, but it takes the fans a long time to turn off. It takes the fans quite a while to cool the engine. With the cross flow, which was 2" taller, the temp would drop right away, and the fans turned off within 2 minutes. Same thermostat, same switch and fans. I can't help but wonder if the cross-flow is a better, more efficient design? Or, did the extra capacity of a 2" taller core make that much of difference? I also notice that driving down the road the fans come on. That never happened before. The cross-flow cooled exceptionally well with just the air flow caused by driving.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,253
Likes: 346
I need to find a 24x26 core super cooling radiator. I called champion a while back and they no idea when or if they were even getting and of the cc545 radiators. He said they basically get whatever china sends and be happy with it. I keep looking occasionally though.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,193
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From: Near Los Angeles
I'm so glad you told us. Feel free to post about your dog, laundry, or whatever you like in any of the other threads as well.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 603
Likes: 172
From: Flo-rida
On topic kinda..... I dont know the correct answer but throw some ideas out there
I'd want to say it would not make a difference in design
Maybe its the quality of the chopsticks radiator.
or that 2 inch really makes a difference and extra square inches are needed
Tanks on top/bottom may get less airflow while driving effecting the fan operation and cooling time.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,388
Likes: 138
From: Northern California
Make sure you’re getting a real champion. Fakes all over eBay and Amazon.
https://shop.championcooling.com/art...s-big-business
https://shop.championcooling.com/art...s-big-business
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,193
Likes: 387
From: Near Los Angeles
Make sure you’re getting a real champion. Fakes all over eBay and Amazon.
https://shop.championcooling.com/art...s-big-business
https://shop.championcooling.com/art...s-big-business