65GS.com - Buick Gran Sport Enthusiasts!
Drivetrain => The Nailhead => Topic started by: sjfd04 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
-
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
-
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
-
I'm interested In your old radiator. Can you ship? How much? Hope it's not a hassle.
St
-
im in Dayton like to get 100 plus shipping look at the flickr slide show and there are some pictures
-
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
-
Any info on what mods had to be made to install the Be Cool radiator? Any photos?
Tom
-
60414 direct replacement .It will be a while before i install it but it looks like it will fit perfect
-
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
-
sent pm on stock unit to racecar
-
Wow, just priced the radiator from Be Cool, 629.00. Anyone know where I can get a better price?
-
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 (http://65gs.com/board/index.php/topic,38.15.html)
-
Walt
Thanks for the info, I looked at the photos, nice job.
Tom
-
In need of a lower radiator hose, non-A/C 65 Gs. Anyone have a source that I can get one from?
Tom
-
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 (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 (http://WWW.nailheadbuick.com)
-
Got it, thanks, one is on the way. What thermostat should I run? What was stock? I just installed a new aluminum radiator. Car has shroud, automatic, non A/C, clutch fan, all stock stuff. I know the fan and shroud did not come in a non A/C but installed so it might cool better. I had a 190 degree in it.
-
Had the original rad flushed and now it seems to operate as designed. What a concept!
Thanks, everybody for your imput.
Steve