radiator info Help !

Don if your out there chime in .I have the form from Griffin Radiator in front of me and am going to pull the trigger on a custom built radiator (aluminum) .I have a second gen dog house and down flow radiator in my van I can measure the diamentions easy but what are the size of the inlet and outlet for the upper and lower hoses and the auto trans cooling fittings ?.also running a 300 horse small block don't know about 2 row/3row? tube size ? opinions are welcome been wanting to do this for awhile . Thanks Bill

WOW!! Hey =Moneybags!! Griffin?? at least 450.00  + freight!!   can u float me a loan??     Inlets  /outlets should be 1 3/4 '  just remember what sides theyre on!! Griffin will know on the auto cooler  fittings be sure to have them include a =SHROUD!! too!!  Ive bought 3  all alunimum 3 core radiators off ebay from same dealer -quality & cool like  =big time too 200.00 shipped !! Lets see??=back to that =LOAN!! 

The thermostat housing upper hose is 1 1/2" the lower water pump hose is 1 3/4" diameter....


the cooling lines take a 1/2-20 fitting,,,,,,they kind of go by the line size,,,,,,5/16"

Thank you ,just got thru measuring everything twice got 19 1/2 wide and 22 1/2 tall total thickness of 2 1/2 can go 3 inch easy . NOT MONEY BAGS BUT after being on the road 6 seasons (and I do drive her every chance I get) it's time for a little treat ! Bill

Well,,,without a good radiator,,,,,you aint gonna be doing much vannin,,,,,,,its a MUST.....

Hey Bill, just in case you did not think it through,,,,A REAL Van crossflow radiator has no radiator cap,,,,,it fills from a hose from a surge tank that sits
on top of it,,,,,,,so you need a special radiator if you put one below  the seats,,,,or are you going to just get another downflow?

Don,thought about going cross flow but going to stay with the down flow set up been running 195 to 200 and know there is a few other things I could try but this is one luxury I am excited about! Bill

Do you have the 2nd Gen tunnel also,,,,,people also put an external trans cooler in the line to keep some of that hot trans fluid from heating up the radiator..........

Yes,2nd gen dog house and tunnel. Bill

I'm told that this one is a perfect fit with only a few holes to re-drill and has the correct hose sizes...works great.  Its for a vintage Cougar but has the same dimensions and is priced nice...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/230828903261?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Vantasia, that is a good replacement fit for an original down flow radiator. Not a crossflow. 2nd gen vans used 2 altogether different radiator setups: Crossflow and downflow.

Bill, I followed a lead that 'Pappy59' over on vcvc had from a supplier who modified a Champion radiator. Pap originally had one made for his 454 powered van. I think the supplier was Superior Radiator, but I cannot recall for sure. They took a standard aluminum radiator they had and modified it by welding up the top filler hole, and adding a 1/2" bung to the passenger side tank to work with the factory overflow system.

I had to move my van's factory 2nd gen radiator upper and lower support saddles, I cut the spot welds and re-welded to re-locate them in order to work correctly with the champion aluminum radiator, (because it is slightly different size than the factory crossflow) and move the radiator 1" to the passenger side in order to clear the parking brake cable.

Alot of screwing around, but now it is done, and installed with a electric fan and aluminum shroud, also sourced from champion radiator. It works well, and cools my engine great, but I'm not exactly pleased with all the 'custom' BS I had to do in order to make everything fit.

If I were to build another V8 van, (and I plan to!), I would simply have an original 2nd gen crossflow radiator re-cored at a quality local shop. I have read that brass has better heat transfer characteristics than aluminum anyway.

Joe , I just finished the spec sheet I down loaded from their website and will fax it to them today then follow up tomorrow when they are open.I am treating myself (and van) on this one no mods just bite the bullet and go!!!!! Bill

We just give you choices here,,,,,so you can decide which way you want to go.......

Thanks Don....... Bill

Just simply relating my own experience.

kookykrispy wrote:Vantasia, that is a good replacement fit for an original down flow radiator.  Not a crossflow.  2nd gen vans used 2 altogether different radiator setups: Crossflow and downflow.

Bill, I followed a lead that 'Pappy59' over on vcvc had from a supplier who modified a Champion radiator.  Pap originally had one made for his 454 powered van.  I think the supplier was Superior Radiator, but I cannot recall for sure.  They took a standard aluminum radiator they had and modified it by welding up the top filler hole, and adding a 1/2" bung to the passenger side tank to work with the factory overflow system.

I had to move my van's factory 2nd gen radiator upper and lower support saddles, I cut the spot welds and re-welded to re-locate them in order to work correctly with the champion aluminum radiator, (because it is slightly different size than the factory crossflow) and move the radiator 1" to the passenger side in order to clear the parking brake cable.  

Alot of screwing around, but now it is done, and installed with a electric fan and aluminum shroud, also sourced from champion radiator.  It works well, and cools my engine great, but I'm not exactly pleased with all the 'custom' BS I had to do in order to make everything fit.

If I were to build another V8 van, (and I plan to!), I would simply have an original 2nd gen crossflow radiator re-cored at a quality local shop.  I have read that brass has better heat transfer characteristics than aluminum anyway.

I believe his name is Bills66 leaving me to think he has a 1st gen '66....but since he has a SB8, this probably wouldn't work, better for a 6 I guess...

Hello all...I'm pappy59 from vcvc...and now Vintage Vans...the radiator I had made was from Radiators4less. (champion) took a stock 3 row aluminum size as close to original size maybe an inch smaller in each direction and they sent it to me for fitting and mods...in the mean time I put the motor and trans in and when the radiator showed up in it went. the only thing for a second gen fit for me was to fab new rubber mounts. I've been running it for a couple years now with no problem and now that I live in Myrtle Beach SC the heat index can get to 105 some days and it keeps it cool. I run a 195 stat, belly pan no tunnel and traffic here in a resort town can be crazy mad. Without going over to vcvc I believe it cost me around $250.00 altogether, for me it is has been a good investment...pap

Welcome Pappy, You forgot to say that your running a 454 in your van and keeping it cool .

yes i'm running a 400 horse power 454, turbo 350 trans(original 69) and a 3:42 posi....thanks savage

Welcome=Pappy-- what fan ? clutch type?? shroud?? curious? I have 2 new champion radiators here = nice & cool too!!

18" clutch fan, no shroud. After putting in the big block i realized the shroud would not bolt to the original holes so i put it off and haven't got to it yet....pap

Champion raidiator-I believe?? or at least some ebay sellers are selling shrouds to fit some radiators they sell now=

Hey bill did u ever get that griffin rad?

FedEx will have it here today , will pick up this afternoon !! Pics to follow. Bill

dont scratch it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!