Am I correct in understanding that the original Harrison Aluminum radiator in my small block '65 will cool a big block? Assuming of course that the radiator is in good condition with all shrouding etc intact.
Thanks, Frank.
Thanks, Frank.
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Re: C2 Radiator
It would be marginal. The 396 used a similar aluminum radiator that was wider, so it had more heat transfer capacity. The same radiator was also used with RPO L-88 from '67 to '69. I think DeWitts now repros the big block aluminum radiator and Tom DeWitt probably has some data on the relative heat transfer capacity between it and the SB "316" radiator and other OE and replacement radiators.
Duke -
No. *NM*
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Re: C2 Radiator
Hey Duke & Loren;
Duke I saw a post on another forum where Tom Dewitt mentioned the SB radiator actually had better heat dissapation than the bb rad backed up by some data. If I understand correctly, in that post he mentions that the bb rad had end tanks instead of the expansion tank making it look larger but actually it was less efficient. I cannot for some reason post on that forum so I sent Tom an email to clairify but got no reply, so I thought I'd throw the line out on this forum. Are the BB rad supports different than the sb? If so, I cannot buy a bb rad and expect it to fit my sb rad support? Loren, have you or anyone else had no success trying the sb rad with a mild bb?Comment
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Re: C2 Radiator
I believe Tom war referring to a BB BRASS radiator. His remarks raised my eyebrows, but I know he has some properly acquired heat transfer data. When we say BB radiator we usually mean a brass type because all BBs except the L-78 and L-88 used brass radiators. For sure if the radiator has "side tanks" it is a traditional brass type because neither the 316 aluminum radiator used on SBs or the wider version used for L-78/88 have side tanks. All aluminum radiator vintage Corvettes have the remote expansion tanks.
Yes BBs have specific radiator supports for their specific radiators.
DukeComment
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There are two different radiator supports.
Here in Arizona, May-October is known as "Big Block vacation time" and that's for cars having all of the right equipment. One simple fact remains - if the General could have figured out how to make it cool WITHOUT having to spend more develpoment $$$ on another radiator, he would have. That's why the Desert Proving Ground exists.....Comment
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Re: C2 Radiator
Frank------
I have discussed this issue with Tom DeWitt at some length. He feels that the small block 3155316 radiator will provide adequate cooling for most big blocks. I tend to agree with him. I think that the 3155316 will provide cooling capacity equal or better than the original big block copper/brass radiators.
Consider this: the L-88 aluminum radiator, GM #3007436, has only about 10% more cooling capacity than the 3155316 and the 3007436 is considered the radiator for a HEAVY DUTY cooling cooling system. It's cooling capacity exceeded ANY other radiator ever installed in a Corvette. However, I don't think that it exceeded the 69-72 copper brass radiator, GM #3019190, by a wide margin. Likley, around 10%. If so, that would make the 3155316 aluminum have about the same capacity as the 3019190 copper-brass.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: C2 Radiator
Joe; Thanks a lot! Great reply! As licensed parts man myself your use of pn#'s is something I can relate to and helps a guy understand exactly what you are saying. Glad to hear your answer, now if my old radiator's cooling capacity is up to what it was when new I should be ok with that part anyway, a long shot I know......Comment
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Re: C2 Radiator
I would have to think that if you radiatior is original you would see a deminished cooling capacity due to internal corrision and normal blockage. From my experience when I had a radiator shop I would see reduce flow 10-20% in just a few years (alot of these radiators were used on mini stock race cars, I would see several a month during the racing season). I would have great reservations about cooling a big block unless it is almost new.Dick WhittingtonComment
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Re: C2 Radiator
Thanks Dick. The rad looks pretty good but who knows...Comment
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