Are any of you guys running these radiators? BE-COOL etc. Do you see the 20 degree minimum temp drop that they claim? I have a stout 406 than runs alittle hotter than I like, especially considering I just dumped a pile of money on aluminum heads. My radiator is in decent shape, but my guess is that after 30 years, it has seen better days. Just curious about the difference. I already have a new, high flow water pump.

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Shawn Peterson
1969 Z28, 406SB
http://www.geocities.com/corsican69

I have the Griffin 21" aluminum radiator with 1 1/4" tubes, Spal electric fan and Stewart aluminum water pump on a fairly stout 355. While I can't give you a before and after comparison that would be fair ( my car came with the basic small radiator ), I feel that a cooling system that is put together with top notch components is a must. Several articles talk about heat exchange effectiveness with the aluminum radiators. Part of the benefit is a higher density of cooling fins on the rectangular tubes. I think the advertisements of a 20 dgree drop should be taken in context. The cooling system is a critical component, especially with your aluminum ( AFR right ? ) heads. I would strongly recommend upgrading a 30 year old radiator.

I have a highly modified alum head 396 and the stock 4 core would run 200 on the road and skies the limit around town, I bought a be cool radiator, it bolted right up and saw 190 to 195 cruising, 200 around town, I have electric fans so if they were better, I would have a cooler temp loping around town.

I have the dual 1" core Griffin and a set of 4th gen electric fans. Made all the difference in the world. Was a 220 car, now 190-200 if you push it.

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Mark
1992 Firebird 355/Six Speed
1991 RS 350 / 700-R4
1987 Toyota Pickup 383 / 500 + HP
**How fast is just a matter of how much $$$ **
"They only thing worse than drinking out of the toilet is driving a FORD."
"FORD, the other F-word"

How do you install one of the new style generic aluminum radiators in a '67???

Or do I have to pay more for a specific application radiator??? pdq67

PS how about installing the fan shroud, too.

PDQ,

Realize that in the Be Cool line the universal radiators are not the same amount of rows and cooling capacity as the direct-fit ones. I called them because for the $250-$300 difference I was going to adapt it. They then told me of the differences and I went with the $490. one.

As a side note, I've had their radiators in a couple of cars running 450-600+ h.p. and have had no cooling problems. I currently have one in my 72 with a high volume water pump. I ended up with the fourth gen Camaro electric fans and the temp will not go above 185 with the a/c on and idling for 30 minutes IN GEAR (I did it to make sure). Airflow is critical but the radiators do work.

Jody

camcojb-- what model 4th gen did you get your fans from? z28? I am going to order one of the be-cool radiators and would like to know your fan set up. thanks alot
jay

I used a 4th Gen setup from a 1997 Z-28. Most of the V-8 models are the same. They have two 11" fans in one housing. You cannot beat the cooling they provide. I got mine for about $100, but they are like brand new.

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Mark
1992 Firebird 355/Six Speed
1991 RS 350 / 700-R4
1987 Toyota Pickup 383 / 500 + HP 10.963 @ 119.95 Slicks / 11.997 @ 114.23 Radials

thanks for the info, Mark. One other thing- how did you wire them? What wiring/switches,etc. did you get from the 97? I was wondering b/c I work at a chev dealership and can get this stuff easier than going to a junkyard. (not many around) I also have a complete wiring harness to go in the car, as well. This looks to be the answer to my cooling system needs. Any help is appreciated.

I installed the fans in a 3rd gen and the origanal fan plug worked perfectly. They are exactly the same. Then I wired the second fan to a relay and a fan switch on the motor. They go on and off with the engine temp. The original plug turns that fan on with the a/c.

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Mark
1992 Firebird 355/Six Speed
1991 RS 350 / 700-R4
1987 Toyota Pickup 383 / 500 + HP 10.963 @ 119.95 Slicks / 11.997 @ 114.23 Radials

Shawn,
i had the same problem with my 406/steel heads.just boughta new 21" rad. and fan shroud,mine was cracked,runs 180 - 200 all day long.

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My68Camaro (http://hometown.aol.com/Dougs68Camaro/index.html)
Doug G.
68 Camaro
406 ci.

Shawn,

I got the fans and wire plug from a 98 Camaro Z28. I used two relays to wire it; one for a thermostatic control and one for when the A/C is turned on. Very simple and looks absolute factory installed.

The 406 would never over-heat with a regular electric fan (Spal) until I ran the A/C and got stuck in traffic. The late model fans solved the problem completely; no comparison.

Jody

Has anyone tried an aluminum rad from a late model car from the bone yard? I see alot of these at the you pull it places that look like they could be made to fit. I don't have a cooling problem I was thinking more along the lines of lighten the front end. And $35.00 as oposed to $450 mmm thanks john

The 4th gen rads are of good quality. They were made to cool with the help of electric fans, since the new LT-1 motors cannot use an engine driven fan. They are also aluminum. I would like to see a true comparison between copper and aluminum rads. What are the true differences and when do they come into play? Is a two core aluminum better than a 4 core copper??

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Mark
1992 Firebird 355/Six Speed
1991 RS 350 / 700-R4
1987 Toyota Pickup 383 / 500 + HP 10.963 @ 119.95 Slicks / 11.997 @ 114.23 Radials
http://personal.lig.bellsouth.net/~racer383/