Cooling /Radiator Question

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Oldscarnut

Greasemonkey
May 10, 2017
249
236
43
NW Washington State
I have been getting all sorts of advice from people would could not possibly know the answer, so I will put it to the guys I think should know, and more than that, have experience with it! My 231 V6 Oil Dripper had a 2 row aluminum radiator installed. It did fine for all the time I drove it, over 2 years with never an overheat. Some have told me because the climate is mild here and I do not run A/C or even have it installed, the 2 row will be fine for normal commutes and trips. I have eliminated the cat convertor, and will run pretty much stock exhaust for W-31. Timing will probably be around stock as well, and the carb is calibrated for a W engine. I will run the best fuel I can find, maybe even with some octane boost if needed. NON A/C cooling, radiator rows 2 or 3 for standard driving and non-HP bursts. I plan to take it to swap meets and events, and cruise. I will have A fan clutch on it even w/o the a/c.

So the #1 question is; is 2 rows ALUMINUM enough? The V6 radiator has the trans. cooling also. Please keep in mind, I try very hard not to just do wholesale parts buying. I know this radiator was nearly new when I got the car, so it probably would not need anything for years to come if it cools well enough for a V8. What say you OLDS V8 G Body Guys? 👀

#2 What does anyone with experience think of the waterless coolant for everyday use?
 

Huen79H/O

Apprentice
Jun 5, 2018
74
161
33
Olds 350 are hard to cool this is the radiator I got. It work good until I charged the ac then I had to upgrade the clutch fan to cool it
Screenshot_20180813-194329_Chrome.jpg
 

Streetbu

Know it all, that doesn't
Supporting Member
May 22, 2011
3,721
11,525
113
Central NY
Only one way to find out... I bet it is fine.
 

69hurstolds

Geezer
Supporting Member
Jan 2, 2006
8,089
17,299
113
It may be just as good as a 3 row copper/brass unit. One way to tell... aluminum radiators are usually better coolers than their copper/brass counterparts due to construction and wider fins. Aluminum vs copper on heat transfer itself...copper wins. It's how the radiators are made makes the difference. And aluminum ones are much lighter too.

It's the same advice as the fuel pump. Run what you have until you can't. Then get a better radiator if needed.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: 1 users
Oct 14, 2008
8,806
7,746
113
Melville,Saskatchewan
A 2 core with 1" or larger tubes should cool similar or better than a 4 core. What fan are you using? Are you using a shroud?
 

Oldscarnut

Greasemonkey
May 10, 2017
249
236
43
NW Washington State
It may be just as good as a 3 row copper/brass unit. One way to tell... aluminum radiators are usually better coolers than their copper/brass counterparts due to construction and wider fins. Aluminum vs copper on heat transfer itself...copper wins. It's how the radiators are made makes the difference. And aluminum ones are much lighter too.

It's the same advice as the fuel pump. Run what you have until you can't. Then get a better radiator if needed.

Yep just trying to avoid an obvious goof, but I will break in the cam watching the temp gauge
 
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