What you need is a custom made radiator. They are not as expensive as one might
think. I think the original HD radiators were 3 core and you may be able to have
your old tanks mounted on a 4 row core. Call a local radiator shop and ask.
"Alan D. Gingles" wrote:
> Karl Lutes wrote:
>
> > Hi all:
> >
> > I've finally been able to drive my 55 2nd GMC on a daily basis for the past
> > few weeks. (the gas companies doubled their prices to help me celebrate). I
> > expected to have some problems to work through, and I've not been
> > disappointed. Other than the transmission cooler line splitting and dumping
> > a whole bunch of blood on my driveway, and repeating the trick in a busy
> > parking lot the next day (shouldv'e taken the time to replace the whole hose
> > instead of just cutting off the end of the old hose), the main problem has
> > been keeping the 454 cool.
> >
> > It has decided it wants to get hotter and hotter as though the cooling
> > system is inadequate. I replaced the thermostat (180) but it didn't change
> > anything. It gets hot up to 230 or so when idling, and doesn't cool off much
> > when driving on the open road. If I take right off and drive with out
> > sitting and idling the temp guage will stay in the 212 range. The radiator
> > is the original, that came with the orig V8. It might be the rising ambient
> > temperatures, but it seems like the overheating problem is getting worse.
> >
> > What else can I do besides get a new, bigger radiator? If I do need a bigger
> > radiator, what the best one to get so the problem will be over? I'm planning
> > to add the Vintage Air unit sometime, so 454 need all the cooling help it
> > can get. The fan is the biggest electric fan I could get.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Karl Lutes
> > Union KY
> > 55 2nd GMC sort of rod
> > 58 Chev FS in limbo
> >
> > oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
>
> Karl,
>
> I would suggest getting the original rad re-cored. I had my '48 rad
>changed
> to a 4-core unit, and with a 350 and a 195 thermostat it runs at 195-200
>degrees
> all day, only creeping up if I'm stuck in heavy stop and go traffic. I'm sure
>a
> recore will help your 454 cool. You may want to add a fan shroud if you're
> running a mechanical fan as well.
>
> --
> Alan & Karen Gingles
> Calgary, Alberta
>
> Street Rods and other Hobbies
> http://www.nucleus.com/~agingles
>
> Alan's Hot Wheels Heaven
> http://www.nucleus.com/~agingles/ALAN6.HTM
>
> oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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