cooling question
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Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 105
Likes: 1
From: Staten Island
cooling question
I have a 75 f250 with a 4 speed that I am going to put a 428 in.I am going to upgrade to one of the powercool aluminum radiators from summit.Is it worth the 900dollar pricetag?Are they really that great?I was planning on buying one for an automatic trans and using the trans cooler as a p/s cooler.I am also planning on putting a separate oil cooler too.
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
No one can tell you if it's worth it or not, because that's a personal call. Now, if your question is, "do I need to spend $900 on a radiator to keep my motor at operating temperature," then the answer is heck no. Given that you can find a brand new stock radiator to do the job for around $200 (give or take), I'd much rather have that extra cash go somewhere else.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,948
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The aluminum radiators are worth the money, but that kind of money os not easy to justify? Especially when a,uminum racing radiators are only a couple of hundred bucks. I mean universal units that fit are much less than that 900 smackers you mentioned.
I use a GM crossflow aluminum radiator (in one of my trucks) and dont have more than 200 bucks in the whole thing.
Other trucks I have run anything from Griffins, BeCool (expensive), and a Howe.
Believe it or not second hand aluminum radiators can be found for cheap. Only a season or less on some and in great shape.
Only mods would be brackets........
I use a GM crossflow aluminum radiator (in one of my trucks) and dont have more than 200 bucks in the whole thing.
Other trucks I have run anything from Griffins, BeCool (expensive), and a Howe.
Believe it or not second hand aluminum radiators can be found for cheap. Only a season or less on some and in great shape.
Only mods would be brackets........
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2009
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I dont believe a $900 is needed, just get a universal one for like 200-$300 and 15 mintues of fabricating and youll be fine.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2009
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most of that stuff in the catalogs are pple who have more money than sence, heck id put a bigger ford radiater in it and put a 160 thermostadt in it and say the heck with it my self......you could get one of them for an auto shift and use the ports for p/s cooler, but i wouldnt spend that kind of money for something you can find a similar item for, for a whole lot less........like there sayin around $200 is about what it should cost ya, every dime more your just paying for a name.
Certified Thread Hijacker
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 14,441
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I would tend to think that running the p/s thru the radiator AT ports would run hotter than having a stand alone cooler.
Unless that is what the goal is for some reason.
Josh
Unless that is what the goal is for some reason.
Josh
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 868
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whatever you decide (900 is many many levels beyond ridiculous!!) DO NOT use a 160 t-stat. There is no need for one, that and I'm assuming you'd like your motor to run for many years to come.
cheers
cheers
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Port Saint Lucie FL
I'm running a 428 stroked to 465 in my Galaxie with a C6 and a 3500 RPM stall TQ Converter, the car weighs 4000 lbs. I'm running a stock big block radiator with a shroud and an external tranny cooler plumed in series with the tranny cooler on the radiator. In the middle of summer, my tranny runs nice and cool and my motor rarely ever breaks 200 and I run a 195 degree tstat. Your truck should do fine with a fresh stock big block radiator.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2009
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From: Staten Island
I have built who knows how many 70's era towtrucks and who knows how many other trucks over the years and have never bought an alum radiator.I typically will just get a rad.with the big tanks and re core it and have never ever had a cooling problem and I have taken these trucks far beyond their designed limits.But,I like to try new things and was curious as to if an alum rad was worth it.The only savings I see is weight and that is not an issue with me.It seemed a little ridicules to me but i just thought I would ask.As far as the ocean front property I already have a good boat anchor to go with the nautical theme.
