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Cooling system update

Mark1972

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A quick recap. The 440 I had built for my 1970 Plymouth Satellite 2 years ago has always had issues getting hot, especially when idling or moving very slowly. By hot I mean 215-220, which I have had to either pull out of heavy slow traffic or just pull over and shut it down and watch coolant bubble out the overflow hose. Now for the record I grabbed the cheapest aluminum radiator I could find with a 26" core. A Champion. I put a 160F stat in it because I didn't really understand how automotive cooling systems worked, and ran the original clutch fan without a shroud. The clutch fan was off of the 440 from when it came out of the '77 New Yorker. It was too big for the Mopar plastic shroud that fit the car. So I left the shroud off. Update to this week. I ordered and installed a Flowkooler water pump, a Robertshaw 180 stat, and a Cold Case radiator. I also ditched the clutch fan and installed a 19" Derale fixed fan. I spaced it properly to the rad and the shroud. The biggest difference I can tell between the Cold Case and the Champion is tube size. 1 1/4" vs 5/8", which I've been told makes a big difference. Normally once the car is started cold, it will take about 15-20 minutes and it will be at 215. Today I fired it up, and ran it for 20 minutes, and held it at 2000 rpm for 2-3 minutes as well. It never got past 180. I know this is just sitting in the garage, and I need to do a good shake down run, but it seems promising. Assuming all continues to go smoothly, I'm not sure what made the biggest difference, but I have to think the radiator. I guess everything works as a team though. Just thought I'd share.
 
thanks for sharing,a shroud makes a difference and I hope it is all set for you. :thumbsup:
 
Thanks for this, I am about to bite the bullet and buy a Cold Case Rad for my 70 Bee, let us know how it works on the road, cheers.
 
Thanks for this, I am about to bite the bullet and buy a Cold Case Rad for my 70 Bee, let us know how it works on the road, cheers.
FYI I have a CC in my 70 Bee my only regret is it changed the distance from stock fan to radiator and had to install flex fan and spacer to work.
 
Just my opinion and experience and that’s all but the direct drive fan and the shroud really make a difference in air flowing where it’s most effective. Both of my cars are running the champion aluminum radiator and I have not had any cooling issues with either car. The Charger has the factory shroud and flex fan and the fury has no shroud with the same fan and both have hi-flow pump from Napa. Glad you got it sorted out.
:xscuseless: :thumbsup:

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I have gone through many trials living in an area w 125° summers w a 496" w a/c. In your situation, if it would fit, to reduce some noise at highway speeds, I'd put a good fan clutch back on. But as long as it's running cooler n you're ok w the noise, congrats. I would say 2 things that majorly contributed to it. The Shroud 1st n foremost. Then the 1.25" tube 2 core radiator. Mine is the same w a fixed fan. This is due to not being able to finding 2 things, a short enough fan clutch and reverse rotation due to serpentine system.
 
Autolite 85 for my 440's. Made in China Now.
 
Made in China
:mad:
I guess (Most) everything is made there now. I ordered some mini led indicator lights for a homemade dash panel.
out of the 7 lights I got, 3 of them the wires broke off wile handling them during installation.:wtf:
Thanks for all the cooling info you guys have shared. I'm planning on putting A/C in my car soon.I'm in the same boat as diesel_lv 120+ summers are a killer.
 
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