Radiator Recommendation?

I was helping a friends father this weekend that uses MFI (toilet) in a 383 sbc 3rd Gen Camaro. He stated that he can never get the water temp over 145*. Looking under the hood I see the car has an aftermarket full size aluminum radiator for a car that would be used to run on gas. The inlet / outlets of the radiator appeared to be 1.5” hose ID. This definitely is the problem.

This is my question. What small radiator could be used from a (salvage yard or aftermarket car) that would best fit the reduced volume size needed to build more heat in this engine?

The other question I have is how do you adapt a smaller radiator if it has a different size inlet / outlet than the engine water pump and manifold outlet?

Why not just block off air flow over half of it to see what happens.

Is the water pump belt driven with the fan?

It may be possible to put a restrictor in the line.

And.....the idle mixture may be too rich.

It is difficult to control temp unless the fan and or water pump can be turned on and off as needed.

The WP is electric in this car that appears to be a standard 35 gpm. I view Restrictors (water + air) as band aids.

The large volume of radiator surface is definitely the problem in this car not being able to get temps in the 160* – 170* range when on methanol. This radiator would easily cool a BBC on race gas.

The BV is at the absolute leanest setting so it’s not the fuel that is causing this.

I too have sbc mfi in the same type 3rd gen car, but my aftermarket aluminum radiator is less than half the size of his.

I’m looking for someone that has already used a less expensive small radiator from a street car (plastic?) that possibly has an electric fan attached that will be properly sized for the cooling volume of this engine. I’m guessing possibly a small 4 cyl engine car of some type.

If you have done this , what model car was radiator from and how did you match up hose inlets to 1.5” on sbc engine?

Mark you are correct about not needing much radiator. I successfully used a radiator just like this for a few years with an alcohol carb in my roadster.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Alumi...477586cb381b5e40b1dc

In another car that has a toilet we use a Scirroco radiator with zero problems and it doesn't over cool.

Not a bandaid but a cheaper alternative. Using what you got already.

quote:

Originally posted by CURTIS REED:
Mark you are correct about not needing much radiator. I successfully used a radiator just like this for a few years with an alcohol carb in my roadster.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Alumi...477586cb381b5e40b1dc

In another car that has a toilet we use a Scirroco radiator with zero problems and it doesn't over cool.

Both of these look good and 1-1/4 outlets is easy to get matching water pump inlets for. Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by markemark:

quote:

Originally posted by CURTIS REED:
Mark you are correct about not needing much radiator. I successfully used a radiator just like this for a few years with an alcohol carb in my roadster.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Alumi...477586cb381b5e40b1dc

In another car that has a toilet we use a Scirroco radiator with zero problems and it doesn't over cool.

Both of these look good and 1-1/4 outlets is easy to get matching water pump inlets for. Thanks

I've used several of these on grudge cars. They work great and I've had zero issues but none have had true 1 1/4 hose outlets. They are closer to 1.125. Maybe its just the ones ive gotten. Just a FYI.

quote:

Originally posted by BLIND MULE 2217:

quote:

Originally posted by markemark:

quote:

Originally posted by CURTIS REED:
Mark you are correct about not needing much radiator. I successfully used a radiator just like this for a few years with an alcohol carb in my roadster.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Alumi...477586cb381b5e40b1dc

In another car that has a toilet we use a Scirroco radiator with zero problems and it doesn't over cool.

Both of these look good and 1-1/4 outlets is easy to get matching water pump inlets for. Thanks

I've used several of these on grudge cars. They work great and I've had zero issues but none have had true 1 1/4 hose outlets. They are closer to 1.125. Maybe its just the ones ive gotten. Just a FYI.

I welded A-N fittings on my Honda radiator. The Scirroco has plastic so I welded aluminum tubing on the water pump and inlet on the intake to match the sizing.

This is the same radiator i run in my bbc camaro with terminator. I had an bungs welded on and use -10 hose. Cools good and no problem building heat.

quote:

Originally posted by CURTIS REED:
Mark you are correct about not needing much radiator. I successfully used a radiator just like this for a few years with an alcohol carb in my roadster.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Alumi...477586cb381b5e40b1dc

In another car that has a toilet we use a Scirroco radiator with zero problems and it doesn't over cool.

quote:

I view Restrictors (water + air) as band aids.

Wouldn't putting a smaller radiator in still be the same band aid as an airflow or water restrictor? You're still restricting coolant and airflow when you use a smaller radiator.

I use the small Honda style radiator with a fan and I also run a 180* thermostat with some holes drilled in it. Works really well on my deal, your mileage may vary.

quote:

Originally posted by Curly1:
I also run a 180* thermostat with some holes drilled in it. Works really well .

^^^ This. It is a quick, easy, inexpensive solution for you. (Or do what Green1 suggested - You can cover half the radiator with cardboard as a test).
I have a large full-size radiator in mine, and I can keep it at 160* or higher on alky all day long. Thermostat probably never opens, to be honest.
But drilling 4 small holes, (1/16, or .060"), spaced equally around the flange allows a small amount of water to flow through the radiator, and if it ever happens to get hot enough, the stat will start to open and cool it down quickly.

quote:

Originally posted by FootbrakeJim:

I have a large full-size radiator in mine, and I can keep it at 160* or higher on alky all day long. Thermostat probably never opens, to be honest.
But drilling 4 small holes, (1/16, or .060"), spaced equally around the flange allows a small amount of water to flow through the radiator, and if it ever happens to get hot enough, the stat will start to open and cool it down quickly.

What temp thermostat are you using with the 4 holes drilled in it??

If you run a generator put a pair of freeze plug block heaters in and plug the car in.

quote:

Originally posted by rs72z:
This is the same radiator i run in my bbc camaro with terminator. I had an bungs welded on and use -10 hose. Cools good and no problem building heat.

quote:

Originally posted by CURTIS REED:
Mark you are correct about not needing much radiator. I successfully used a radiator just like this for a few years with an alcohol carb in my roadster.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Alumi...477586cb381b5e40b1dc

In another car that has a toilet we use a Scirroco radiator with zero problems and it doesn't over cool.

I run one like this, sbc 413 on alkyl, I can get plenty of heat or cool it down easy too …. And I am in the hot southwest desert today 105..... Its a dry heat ….hahaha

quote:

Originally posted by FootbrakeJim:

quote:

Originally posted by Curly1:
I also run a 180* thermostat with some holes drilled in it. Works really well .

^^^ This. It is a quick, easy, inexpensive solution for you. (Or do what Green1 suggested - You can cover half the radiator with cardboard as a test).
I have a large full-size radiator in mine, and I can keep it at 160* or higher on alky all day long. Thermostat probably never opens, to be honest.
But drilling 4 small holes, (1/16, or .060"), spaced equally around the flange allows a small amount of water to flow through the radiator, and if it ever happens to get hot enough, the stat will start to open and cool it down quickly.

Do you guys doing the thermostat deal have any issues with electric waterpump life? I have heard they don’t like back pressure like that.

quote:

Do you guys doing the thermostat deal have any issues with electric waterpump life? I have heard they don’t like back pressure like that.

I had a newer style silver moroso pump go bad extremely quick with a 140 degree thermostat with the 4 holes drilled as others have done.

quote:

Originally posted by ActionRacingPhotos:

quote:

Do you guys doing the thermostat deal have any issues with electric waterpump life? I have heard they don’t like back pressure like that.

I had a newer style silver moroso pump go bad extremely quick with a 140 degree thermostat with the 4 holes drilled as others have done.

Basic mechanical conventions indicate that if you restrict either the inlet of ANY centrifugal load, and a water pump impeller is just that (most), the load of the pump will be reduced.
BW

I have a 180* thermostat and I drilled about 4 holes .125 in diameter to let the air pockets out and allow some water to always flow. Works great with electric pump.

One other thing if you are having trouble getting heat up you may have idle mixture too rich. That makes a big difference on how quickly it heats up.

I would still try to go to smaller radiator that helps you lose some weight up front and control water temp better. May look kind of bad but I think blocking part of radiator with cardboard is a good idea to narrow it down.