radiator

[slavejay]

85 caprice 5.0 4barrel

need to install a new radiator before it gets hot out..... anyone try an aluminum (sp?) radiator and if so , is it worth the extra dough?

[96capricemgr]

The Caprice needs no special attention to cooling because the radiator is so big it can't help but work well. Just get a quality replacement don't worry about "upgrading"

For what it is worth I am not a "keep it stock" guy either even though my answer sounds like I could be. To make that point today was spent pulling a modified engine out of my Caprice so I can do more to it, cooling is about the last thing that needs any upgrades.

[TommySS]

If I remember correctly, the stock radiator is a 2-row. I went to a 3-row, but had to modify the fan shroud and use upgraded rubber mounts.

[slavejay]

did you see any more performance out of the 3 row?

[silicon212]

Originally Posted by slavejay

did you see any more performance out of the 3 row?

A couple of years ago, I replaced mine (due to a leak) with a 4-row truck radiator. This necessitated a move to a larger fan shroud/radiator mount (out of a 1979 Caprice). The hottest I've ever gotten it here in the Phoenix area was about 5 or so degrees more than the thermostat temp (it's a 195, so about 200 or so) on the hottest day last year. Needle-width left of midway on my 9C1 gauge set.

[Blue Bowtie]

Ahh! No wonder it's so friggin' hot in Phoenix. You're pumping all that heat into the air!

Have yo noticed a longer warmup time on cooler mornings duel to the extra radiator capacity? I'm thinking that the latent heat of the system will take a little longer ot equalize with engine heat. Bet it stays warm a little longer, too.

[TommySS]

Warm up time is related to the T-stat operation, not a function of radiator size.

After all these years, the temperature light never came on until the t-stat stuck shut. I guess the 3-row bought me some time over the 2-row.