1950 Radiator Selection LS 5.3 (2 or 3 core)

[Curt - TN]

I am looking for recommendations on radiators with electric fans for a 1950 Truck. I am doing a 5.3 LS/Vortec swap so I will need to work around adding a steam pipe connection.

I just ordered a lower swivel water inlet and thermostat so I can mate up to most any lower outlet direction. I think I can make the center top hose work fine. I will be adding vintage air to the truck.

I did some searches on the forum and it seems Champion is quite popular but I see very few people adding steam pipes to the radiator. I have seen one drill and tap the water pump.

I called Champion and they were trying to get me to do a 3 core instead of a 2 core along with the 2100 CFM SPAL fan. I am also waiting on a quote for the steam pipe bung to be installed.

This is a fairly stock engine with under 400HP, are you all running a 2 or 3 core set up?

I had a 56 Corvette with an LS6 and it worked fine with a 2 core.

[Advanced Design]

Curt, I was looking at going with this company for the radiator. Iceburgh used one in his LS build and had good luck with it.
http://www.rndfabrication.com/ChevyGMC47-54.html

They build in the steam vent.

Another option I've used on my last LS build was PRC radiator. It has worked well for a number of years. http://www.prchotrod.com/products/ch...-radiators.php

I am going to have them include Spaal fan and shroud as well whichever one I finally choose.

[b00sted]

I have the fan, shroud and radiator in my 49 and the truck stays at 185 all the time. Summer in GA is hot.. Never an issue with temps... I have had great results with the Champion radiators in many different cars.

No steam pipe and no issues at all.

[47 Fasttoys]

The steam pipe is basically only used for burping the air from the top of the heads after refiling the cooling system or changing out a system components. In the early engines they had steam ports at the front and rear of both heads, later only at the front. Many guys plug them all and have no issues. The last LS swap I did I had a friend weld in a bung for the steam line at the local tech collage. They did it for free. As for 2 or 3 core? I run a 2 core with no cooling issues at all. In my case AC, 4.8L hauling 2.5 tons around.
Rob

[Hampshire]

Another option I've used on my last LS build was PRC radiator. It has worked well for a number of years. http://www.prchotrod.com/products/ch...-radiators.php

I installed the PRC radiator with a Spal fan a couple years ago (though with a 350 SBC). Nice folks to work with & made in the USA. Perfect fit and excellent operation.

[torchlight]

I used a direct fit option for my 53 (with a 5.3) from US Radiator. Did the same as you are planning with a swivel neck for the lower radiator hose, etc. Has worked nice. However, if I had to do it all over again, I would call Walker. I have heard that they offer a direct fit radiator for our trucks that looks stock but has the outlets in more convenient locations for LS motors. Also available with built in transmission cooler and A/C condenser. Not show on their website though - something you have to call and ask about. Or so I've heard.

[Erics51chevy]

I bought this radiator for my 51 3600. Fits like stock. 4 core with a fan and trans cooler for that price, i couldn't pass that up. I am running another external trans cooler as well. Mechanical fan pulls more air though but there isn't enough room for it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/162272040183...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by Erics51chevy

I bought this radiator for my 51 3600. Fits like stock. 4 core with a fan and trans cooler for that price, i couldn't pass that up. I am running another external trans cooler as well. Mechanical fan pulls more air though but there isn't enough room for it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/162272040183...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Its funny, I checked out this link the other day and the radiators were sold out for I think $286.00. Now they have (3) available for $586.00 each. Ouch, some price hike or did I look at it incorrectly the first time.

Marc

[Curt - TN]

Originally Posted by youngrodder

Its funny, I checked out this link the other day and the radiators were sold out for I think $286.00. Now they have (3) available for $586.00 each. Ouch, some price hike or did I look at it incorrectly the first time.

Marc

HAHA, I looked at the link and saw the $586 price so I have still been looking

[joedoh]

I said this in another radiator thread and he was looking for a nicer radiator, but I did some thumbnail measuring of a 2010-2014 chevy colorado 5.3 radiator and it was 22" wide x 19 tall so it SHOULD fit against the stock rad shroud. best of all its already made to cool a 5.3 so it might already have the steam pipe connection and there is a matching size AC condenser available with compatible fittings if you plan to run AC. its a top tank type, so easier to fit than a side tank type.

[Advanced Design]

Originally Posted by joedoh

I said this in another radiator thread and he was looking for a nicer radiator, but I did some thumbnail measuring of a 2010-2014 chevy colorado 5.3 radiator and it was 22" wide x 19 tall so it SHOULD fit against the stock rad shroud. best of all its already made to cool a 5.3 so it might already have the steam pipe connection and there is a matching size AC condenser available with compatible fittings if you plan to run AC. its a top tank type, so easier to fit than a side tank type.

Great idea. Curt, can you do a video on fab and install?

Found one here...I think...http://www.rakuten.com/prod/oem-2596...FUlNfgod1oEIAw

[joedoh]

wow I had only seen plastic tank radiators, and I will be honest I clicked the link thinking it would be several hundred dollars, not $145. I think I am going to put a tape on my 41 radiator support today and see if that fits. nice find!

[Erics51chevy]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FIT-Chevrole...RYSkdf&vxp=mtr

Thats better. Not 500 some haha.

[Curt - TN]

Originally Posted by Erics51chevy

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FIT-Chevrole...RYSkdf&vxp=mtr

Thats better. Not 500 some haha.

Cool, that is not bad at all, I have to figure out an electric fan.

I came across this to go on the upper hose to take care of a steam pipe provision. They also offer a number of different hose size adapters.



http://jagsthatrun.com/Pages/Parts_Cooling_LSI-tee.html

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by Curt - TN

Cool, that is not bad at all, I have to figure out an electric fan.

I came across this to go on the upper hose to take care of a steam pipe provision. They also offer a number of different hose size adapters.



http://jagsthatrun.com/Pages/Parts_Cooling_LSI-tee.html

Check out Cooling Components fans.http://coolingcomponentsinc.us.com/portal/

They are slim and move a lot of air. They offer a 2 speed fan controller. It comes with a plastic shroud as well. On my 48 truck I didn't have a lot of room with my LT1 motor and this fan fit really moves air. I was having cooling issues but this fan solved it. The is also pretty quiet.

Great customer service and I will probably run one on my 53 Suburban

Thanks
Marc

[iowaboynca]

What do people think of this one from Eastwood? I've been thinking...

http://www.eastwood.com/maxx-power-t...arent_id=50912

[b00sted]

I guess I am not in the norm. I fill my ls first without a tstat. Then install the tstat and fill the radiator. No need for the steam pipe thing.I like the champion solution as it allows me to spend money on other things as I am not rich....

Good luck with your choice...