Good afternoon and happy Friday!

While the ol' 307-powered 1983 Ninety-Eight is running fine, additional cooling here in the desert is always a concern. It looks like I have a 3-row aftermarket radiator. I have no idea what brand it is.

I'm looking to upgrade to a large aluminum rad. I'm trying to stay away from copper (everything I've seen is of poor quality Chineseium ) or aluminum/plastic. I'd just like to have the extra cooling capacity for a future larger engine.

Any ideas what will fit? Would any full-sized B/C body radiator 77-96 fit? Were there changes in the core support, etc?

In other words, what are the "rules of engagement" for radiator interchange.


Thanks in advance!

 

DeWitts makes a great aluminum radiator but I think they only make them for Corvettes. I have one in my 94 Corvette and it has helped a lot. Very high quality. Might be worth giving them a call or checking their website.

 

I can tell you now the 94-96 b-body and d-body radiators won't be an upgrade. They do have the provisions for the elctric fans, but the radiator itself doesn't do a great job and they are no longer made with the overflow nipple. That means you'd need to find a different way to run the overflow or switch to an integrated resivoir like those cars came with.

On a side note many of the b-body crowd who have the money to spend have had good luck with Griffin radiators. I'd try it but it's pretty pricy.

 

Just make sure that you have a damnned large thermostatic clutch fan behind it, that moves enough air when hot, to propel a small airplane.
180 deg thermostat.
THAT is the way to keep your cool in the desert.
Yes, it will sap some power.
No, you won't have to push the car.
Jim

 

An inexpensive upgrade would be to get a replacement radiator and fan clutch to fit a 1978-1984 diesel 350 "B" or"C" car setup. Possibly one for the 1977-1979 403ci models with air and towing package. Just some ideas.

 

Yup, already done that. I've got a Hayden 2797 (Severe Duty) clutch and a 180 degree `stat. I put on the clutch last week. Seems to help a bit and I don't notice any power loss. Definitely not a luxury in the desert!

 

I didn't think of that. I'm sure I could easily find one, but my concern is that the brass/copper radiators you get nowadays seem to be of poor quality. The aluminum ones are really expensive. Are there any companies out there that still make good OE-style radiators? I heard Modine is gone.

 

Not at all:

http://www.modine.com/v2portal/modine.portal

 

I am running a cheap plastic / aluminum one in my Cutlass , it has a 403 which are known to have cooling problems , 160 degree thermostat , stock 72 350 clutch fan . Car has not reached 200 degrees yet. I have driven it on 95 degree days. hopefully it holds up over time though , but it only cost about 129.00. I think the aluminum radiators really help

 

Truer words were never spoken.
Hayden is a quality part.
Sounds like you are doing good for now. If you go bigger, it will probably do, but a good aluminum unit will be 1 step better.
Good luck.
Jim

 

You could always find an electric fan in the salvage yard and install it in your car. Oldsguy and I found an electric fan out of an 80s 3/4 ton Dodge van and installed it in his 69 Delta 88. It worked like a champ.