I have a 1970 Oldsmobile 442 w/455 with a 3-row radiator and 4 blade fan. I want to upgrade the cooling system. What suggestions do you have?

 

4 core or custom aluminum, find a factory fan and put a gm heavy duty clutch on it . Do you have the OAI hood? Do you have a shroud or a trans cooler ? Stock or modified engine ?

 

I would add the 4 row radiator, 6 or 7 blade clutch fan, and if you don't have a fan shroud add that too. There was a good thread posted on this topic a year or so ago. I believe that Joe P. mentioned in some situations the fan shroud may not help but a detriment. I don't remember enough about the details to explain it. But in my part of the country for the kind of driving I do changing those items stopped my 1970 from overheating in the summertime. If you have time you might do a "search" on overheating or 4 row or 4 core and read through the posts that come up. John

 

Answers to mugzilla: Do not have OAI, but may try that set-up next summer. The engine will remain stock. I do not currently have a fan shroud.

 

Good suggestions so far. Remember the 'weatherstrip' that goes around the radiator and the rubber sealing flaps that go at the upper radiator (2 sides) and below at the bottom of the bumper.

 

The 70 442 originally came with a fan shroud, that might help keep your 455 cool..

 

congrats for correctly referring to the radiator as a 3 row, not a 3 core.

radiators have one core that can have one or more rows of cooling tubes.


The radiator a shroud is a must with the fan blades only partially into the shroud

I switched from a 5 blade flex fan to a HD 6 blade non-flex with a clutch and the summer ac, stop and go temps declined 15 - 20 degrees. much quieter also

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And don't forget the coolant recovery container... Ask Mugz

 

Just be aware that the four row radiator has wider tanks than the two and three row units. You will need to get a four row top plate and the correct bottom brackets that are spot welded to the core support. Alternately, you can modify the brackets you have if you are a decent welder. Finally, you can also get an aluminum radiator that will fit your narrower brackets.

 

You might consider an electric fan. You can get them cheap from the salvage yard off of a full sized truck or van.

 

Look at your water pump if it is off the motor....There were two different size impellers and most rebuilt pumps use a cheap stamped impeller...... If you can find a pump with a large impeller and the original cast impeller I use those on my motors........

I use high performance Robertshaw thermostats and if is a totally new system then run distilled water instead of tap water with your antifreeze and then a bottle of Water Wetter.....

 

I run brita filter water in a humidifier and filters in it last longer ...

 

I use these, too. However, they are now sold under the Mr Gasket brand.

Good idea - The minerals in tap water are horrible.

 

Expansion Tank ..?

...

 

Jugs!!

 

Bottles!
Jugs have handles on 'em...

 

I just discovered they're making a repop top plate for the 4 row! Anybody seen one in person yet? How do that compare to the original?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...NA%3AUS%3A1348