Did you use your stock radiator?

How big of an engine have you run with the stock radiator? I have an f-1 that will be the recipient of a 455 - almost twice the size of the flathead. Should I have the radiator cleaned? Recored? Or just start with a new one? Thanks

 

41 Olds with a stock 77 350 Olds in it.
I had the stock rad recored. Used a 77 Volare 6cyl w/air solid 7 blade steel fan, no electric pusher, no fan shroud.
Cruising the fairgrounds for an hour on a 95 degree day it won't quite make it to 195.
Going down the road with a 180 thermostat it runs about 170.
With a 455 and higher compression you might want to add a fan shroud to this combo.

 

Hey spudshaft a n early sixties passenger car is a drop in practically. Don't know if it would cool that big motor but I do know it fits really easy. Mine keeps a 283 at perfect temp

 

I ran the stock rad in my 51 Chevy with a 454 for a while. I was ok on cooler days, but it would heat up pretty good on warm days.

I know plenty of people that use stock rads with electric fans with no problem. I just didnt want to mess with it, so I went with a big aluminum one this summer.

 

That stock F-1 rad will cool anything. My F-1, 390 Ford has a stock 50 Buick rad. Wifes 49 Merc, 460 Ford stock Merc rad. .....OLDBEET

 

I ran a stock 48 Chevy truck rad. with a 400"SBC ok for a while and then it started puking all over in the summer so I got it cleaned out. radiator shop guy said it was 2/3ds plugged up and he got it 90% cleaned out and converted it over to a pressure system. That was fine for a few years till the old core started leaking in the middle so I got it recored.
Older truck radiators were overkill so they can handle lots of engine.
If you do need a recore though I'd suggest getting an all new radiator with tanks designed for higher pressures.

 

'35 Dodge radiator chopped 8" (but recored), in front of a fairly warmed over 454,

never even on a mid 90's day idling in traffic for an hour and more has it ever gotten over 180 degrees.

Paul

 

Thanks. I'm gonna just have mine cleaned out and see what happens

 

Ran the stock '34 rad for the first 60,000 then a Walker for the next 225K. Actually two Walkers 'cause I put the fan thru the first one

 

I'm running the stock radiator in my '55 Buick with a 401 keeping cooled by it with no problems.

 

In my '36 I'm running the original radiator that I had recored in front of a '66 Merc 289 with one of the big flex fans. Unfortunately I'm not far enough along to know how cool/hot it's going to run. And realistically, I won't even know anyway until that first 80° day again...