I am changing out my original radiator on my '72 with a 350, 4-barrel, no air conditioning. The current one has a few small leaks and it can overheat on summer days after stop and start driving in town. I'm planning on Summit Racing Performance Aluminum 3-Row Radiator (SUM 384000). This may be more than I need, but I would rather be confident that I can take longer trips without worry. THE QUESTION: DO I NEED TO MAKE A CHANGE TO MY THERMOSTAT OR ANY OTHER ASSOCIATED PARTS?

-Mike

 

you should be able to stick with a 180 or 190 T-stat, just use a good performance-level part -- as for rads, you might want to first look at Cold Case or Auto City Classic radiators - they are essentially drop-in aluminum replacements which have OEM-style tank appearance for more of a stock look. Both are 2-row large-tube designs for great cooling. I'm in FL and basically never see temps higher than 190. Currently running the Cold Case in my '72 Cutlass ragtop

 

Do you have a shroud?

 

Eric - no shroud. The original was easy to remove and the new one should drop right in.

 

70sgeek - thanks for the direction on the thermostat and the idea on the Cold Case and Auto City Classic radiators; I will check them out.

 

Factory shroud, good 6 or 7 blade fan and a thermal fan clutch are all good parts to have in place as well to aid your cooling efforts. For reference on my 350-4bbl, I use a Milodon high volume water pump, 180 t-stat, Cold Case rad p/n GMA42A; 17.5" GM 7-blade cooling fan, p/n 342715 (these are from mid-70's Corvette), factory fan shroud and a Carquest thermal clutch fan 215046.

 

Just dropped a cold case in my 72 convert 442 w/ 455...just have to have the correct 4 core radiator lower saddles and 4 core top plate to be a direct drop in. Using stock shroud and thermal clutch fan.