On to the Radiator questions (V8 Conversion)

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TC
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On to the Radiator questions (V8 Conversion)

Post by TC »

I got a radiator that will fit side to side with no cutting, but it sticks out about 4" on the top. So I can drop the rad lower support since I have the body lift.
But... does anyone know if the flex of the body will damage the radiator with no front support? Meaning I cut off the top and bottom of the center air flow hole. Or will the flex of the body rip my radiator in two? What if I have it sitting on the frame?
Got any input Matt?

(I fired her up for the first time last week... Oh god! It was heaven. Open headers and all.)
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TC
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Post by TC »

Okay, so my radiator is skinny and tall and needs to come down 4 inches. Which is just the amount of space if I cut off the bottom support and lower it until it touches the frame.
So, when I am offroading, will there be body flex? Will it damage my radiator if it is bolted along the sides of the front? What if I weld some steel along the front of the radiator?
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DBrown
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Post by DBrown »

so you can fit the rad in there with the way you have it cut in the pic?
71 Bronco - twin sticked, full width, 2" lift, wristed arm, lots of rust...

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TC
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Post by TC »

No, it's about 4" too high. The width is perfect.
I need to lower the bottom support so it rests on the frame. Will this cause instability in the body?
My first idea was to weld two L-brackets along the sides to attach the radiator (blue). But then I started to think that if there was flex, then it would rip the radiator.
So my next idea is to weld supports across the front (red) and attach the radiator to the supports and not the sides so that if there was flex, it would break the support welds, and not the radiator.
Sound like it will work?

This is the first time I have done something like this. But I just got the phone call that the BII is at a shop with a welder and I am heading down tomorrow to do this project.

Also, does anyone know if it would be stupid to hook up two fans. Not side by side, but I realized that there is nothing in the way of hooking up my mechanical fan along with my electric.
I know it will decrease horsepower, but would it be better cooling? Perhaps add a toggle for the electric for hot days and wheeling?
Someone tell me if I am being a moron...
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Nobody
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Post by Nobody »

You're definately going to want some support there. There is some frame flex, but even the body itself is going to need some support.

As for hooking up 2 fans, you have to be carefull, and they can end up working against each other.

My best advice is to use the best radiator you can, then almost any fan that fits will work. I'd try to stick with a single fan. If a single fan can't do the job, you've got problems elsewhere.

The number one problem I see with all V8 conversions, toyota, jeep whatever, is people don't meet the cooling needs.
TC
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Post by TC »

How about a fan shroud?
A necessity?
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Rockcrawler
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Post by Rockcrawler »

i run duel fans on mine one on the inside and one on the out side. One for each side of the radiator. it works pretty good it stoped my over heating problems.
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TC
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Post by TC »

Ooooo... interesting.
Maybe... triple fans (in Dr. Evil voice)
How about no... crazy Dutch bastard.
Maybe if I was wheeling in the Sahara.

Hmmmm, gives me something to think about. It would be a tough mount with my grill. I think I will just hook up one and see what the temp does first. I don't want to run too cool.
I want my heater to work during the winter.
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TC
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Update!

Post by TC »

I'm done.
The front straps looked good. Good support. I didn't put it on the frame though. That just seemed like a flex nightmare. But when I mounted the bottom, I stood on it. So, it can hold 250lbs.
Stay off the pipe, don't forget to wipe.
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