Radiator for 351w

[Teal68]

For you all running a 351 windsor do you find the stock v8 radiator sufficient for cooling?

I'm doing a frame off of a 70 right now that has been converted from a 6 cylinder to a 351w and it currently has a much thicker radiator in it than would be original to a 289 or 302. Because I'm doing a frame off I want everything new or re-built, and I don't think cleaning/painting the existing radiator will look as good as buying a new one. Additionally, the existing one does not have accommodations for auto tranny cooling.

Oh.....Motors seems fairly stock as far as power and sound if that matters.

Thanks,
Tyler

 

[jckkys]

It sounds like you have a 4 core, explaining the added thickness. BC Broncos sells a 3 core high efficiency brass brass radiator. These are totally stock in appearance and fit in standard brackets. They are likely the most effective radiators available for EBs. I've tried OE, aluminum, and 4 core brass radiators, that didn't work as well with my 351. The stock look is a bonus. Look here;http://www.bcbroncos.com/COOLING.html

 

[Teal68]

jckkys,
You always have good info. Thanks! Check out this 3 core from Advance for considerably less, and there is a 15% coupon right now. What do you think?
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...521/3902587-P?searchTerm=radiators#fragment-2

 

[ryoungbronco]

I don't know about the stock radiator but for the price this radiator seems to do well.
http://www.championradiators.com/American-Eagle-Ford-Bronco-radiator-shroud-1966-1977

 

[jckkys]

The Advance part is close to the original and a lot less expensive. The BCB radiator is a high efficiency heavy duty part, for twice as much. Here the summer temps often go over 100 and 105-110 temps aren't unusual. This and the 351 make cooling a challenge. So my '77 needs all the help it can get. In cooler areas the stock type radiator is adequate, so make your decision based on your climate and your equipment like AC.

 

[Teal68]

I don't know about the stock radiator but for the price this radiator seems to do well.
http://www.championradiators.com/American-Eagle-Ford-Bronco-radiator-shroud-1966-1977

Thanks for posting that option. Though it's minor in the big picture, I bet the existing radiator mounts I have would work with one of those.

The Advance part is close to the original and a lot less expensive. The BCB radiator is a high efficiency heavy duty part, for twice as much. Here the summer temps often go over 100 and 105-110 temps aren't unusual. This and the 351 make cooling a challenge. So my '77 needs all the help it can get. In cooler areas the stock type radiator is adequate, so make your decision based on your climate and your equipment like AC.

Very good points. I'm in FL near the coast so it gets hot, but not too bad. Not like you guys get it! I have never had cooling problems with any of my vehicles over the years, but I'm curious what works for people with 351's. If cooling problems are pretty much unanimous then I'll know for the stock one is not sufficient.

 

[Timmy390]

I don't know about the stock radiator but for the price this radiator seems to do well.
http://www.championradiators.com/American-Eagle-Ford-Bronco-radiator-shroud-1966-1977

I'm running that rad on my 351W. Works well. Kept it cool even with a cracked head. The cap that comes on it SUCKS but a new on isn't much.

Tim

 

[Crawdad]

My dad gave me his old 76 with a 351w in it. In the country it ran fine. But once I got it in the city it began to puke a lot from overheating. It was basically a stock motor with an RV cam and stock radiator. So I had a lil bit of money to splurge on a FlowKooler water pump, and then I ordered a 3-Row Champion radiator. The two upgrades worked wonders in the summer heat of SC. If I had a lil more money I would have gone with one of those brass 3-row radiators.