Author Topic: Cooling  (Read 2912 times)

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Offline sjfd04

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Cooling
« on: June 20, 2012, 09:01:40 PM »
Anyone replace the stock radiator with a big aluminum aftermarket radiator.  My car runs around 190 degrees most of the time, when the ambient air temps gets around 85 she goes right to 220.  Everything is new, 190 stat, clutch fan, shroud, stock cam and everything else.  Total timing is right about 32 degrees.  I have a stock 3 row with automatic cooler in it and was thinking about an upgrade.  Any ideas?

Tom
65 GS 4-Speed Hardtop
2017 Chevy Silverado HD 2500
1970 1/2 Camaro Z-28 4-speed

Offline Racecar

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Re: Cooling
« Reply #1 on: August 13, 2012, 06:16:13 PM »
Hi,
I'm going thru the same scenario right now.
Have you solved it yet?
Found a shop in Seattle that wants to flow test my radiator before any changes.
Contact me if you want to know the results.
Steve in Seattle

Offline bobbybuick

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Re: Cooling
« Reply #2 on: August 13, 2012, 06:23:19 PM »
i just bought a BECOOL for a manual car for 239.00 heard they were being discontinued.You could always run an aftermarket cooler for the transmission.I have a good auto radiator Id sell cheap

Offline Racecar

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Re: Cooling
« Reply #3 on: August 13, 2012, 08:19:38 PM »
I'm interested In your old radiator. Can you ship? How much? Hope it's not a hassle.
St

Offline bobbybuick

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Re: Cooling
« Reply #4 on: August 13, 2012, 09:13:43 PM »
im in Dayton like to get 100 plus shipping look at the flickr slide show and there are some pictures

Offline sjfd04

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Re: Cooling
« Reply #5 on: August 14, 2012, 11:58:42 AM »
Steve in Seattle

No, have not solved the problem. Considering two options, keep it stock looking and buy a new 4-row, or go all the way with an aluminum replacement with electric fans.  I hate to waste the money on a 4-row and not have it be enough but then do not want to modify the car to make an aluminum radiator fit.

The flow test you said you might consider may help, there are several opinions on this one.  Some say the pump spins to fast and does not allow the water to stay in the block long enough to absorb the heat, and the other says it spins to slow and allows the water to stay in to long and heat up. And then there is the thermostat, 160, 180 0r 195.  I believe this is a very common problem and difficult to solve.  I have a 2006 Trailblazer SS as a daily driver, temp gauge stays at 210 never moves, 100 degrees or 20 degrees, uphill, downhill nothing moves it. 

Let me know your results.

Tom
65 GS 4-Speed Hardtop
2017 Chevy Silverado HD 2500
1970 1/2 Camaro Z-28 4-speed

Offline sjfd04

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Re: Cooling
« Reply #6 on: August 14, 2012, 05:27:45 PM »
Any info on what mods had to be made to install the Be Cool radiator?  Any photos?

Tom
65 GS 4-Speed Hardtop
2017 Chevy Silverado HD 2500
1970 1/2 Camaro Z-28 4-speed

Offline bobbybuick

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Re: Cooling
« Reply #7 on: August 14, 2012, 06:13:32 PM »
60414 direct replacement .It will be a while before i install it but it looks like it will fit perfect

Offline sjfd04

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Re: Cooling
« Reply #8 on: August 14, 2012, 06:28:23 PM »
Thanks for the photos and info.  I was just concerned that I might have to modify the upper and lower cradles.  I was planning on keeping the stock shroud.

Thanks, Tom
65 GS 4-Speed Hardtop
2017 Chevy Silverado HD 2500
1970 1/2 Camaro Z-28 4-speed

Offline bobbybuick

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Re: Cooling
« Reply #9 on: August 14, 2012, 07:19:38 PM »
sent pm on stock unit to racecar

Offline sjfd04

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Re: Cooling
« Reply #10 on: August 15, 2012, 06:43:00 PM »
Wow, just priced the radiator from Be Cool, 629.00.  Anyone know where I can get a better price?
65 GS 4-Speed Hardtop
2017 Chevy Silverado HD 2500
1970 1/2 Camaro Z-28 4-speed

Offline WkillGS

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Re: Cooling
« Reply #11 on: August 15, 2012, 07:42:27 PM »
I'm using an aluminum rad from Griffin in my red '66. About $200 from Summit/Jegs.
Along with a 7 blade fan and no shroud, it runs cool in 90 degree weather.
Some pics and part numbers in this thread:
http://65gs.com/board/index.php/topic,38.15.html
Walt K
Eastern Pa

66 GS Astro Blue/blue 425 auto
66 GS Silver Mist/black 401 4 spd
66 GS Flame Red/black 401 5 spd
66 GS Saddle Mist/black 401 L76 auto
66 Special Flame Red/black 300 5 spd
65 GS vert Verde Green/ Saddle buckets 401 4 spd
79 Turbo Regal

Offline sjfd04

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Re: Cooling
« Reply #12 on: August 15, 2012, 07:54:49 PM »
Walt

Thanks for the info, I looked at the photos, nice job.

Tom
65 GS 4-Speed Hardtop
2017 Chevy Silverado HD 2500
1970 1/2 Camaro Z-28 4-speed

Offline sjfd04

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Re: Cooling
« Reply #13 on: August 31, 2012, 12:40:41 PM »
In need of a lower radiator hose, non-A/C 65 Gs.  Anyone have a source that I can get one from?

Tom
65 GS 4-Speed Hardtop
2017 Chevy Silverado HD 2500
1970 1/2 Camaro Z-28 4-speed

Offline wildcat65

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Re: Cooling
« Reply #14 on: August 31, 2012, 01:11:17 PM »
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Buick-Gran-Sport-GS-401-425-nailhead-LOWER-RAD-HOSE-1965-1966-/360471230205?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item53edc276fd

Russ Martin always has these o eBay but call him 

Russell Martin
CENTERVILLE AUTO REPAIR
12865 Pine Cone Circle
Grass Valley,California
95945  ph. 530-272-1564
nailhead_russ@...
WWW.nailheadbuick.com
Ted Nagel         65 Skylark GS 4-speed + Wildcats + GS's