Thread: What radiator for 56 Chevy PU

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I am building what I hope will be an occasional driver and need advice on brand and type of radiator for a 400 sbc with a/c in a 56 Chevy pickup. It will have 10/1 compression and a stout cam 539/546 lift and 236/242 duration. I expect this thing to run hot because of the siamese cylinders and .040 overbore. Can someone recommend a brand of radiator and copper/aluminum and crossflow or downflow design? Should I run electric fan or fans? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks

I really like the AFCO double pass aluminum radiators!!! Works good with a high compression stroker blue oval @ 12.5:1 on E-85! Water pump is a hi volume aluminum unit with an 18" 6 blade fan and a very good fitting shroud!

i used the afco rad in the last 2 i built. i used the one for a 72 nova so it was a cross flow. forget walker or any other brass radiator.

I found a guy who sells custom aluminum radiators for old trucks with hot rod setups, on Ebay. I believe the company is called superior radiator out of ohio or michigan. His design and price was hard to beat, you might try him out too. I think I only paid around 300 for my ford truck and he rated it for engines up to 600 hp. I'll see if I can find their web site for you!
Here you go
http://www.wwwsuperiorradiator.com/

Here are photos of mine

Thanks for the web site Stovens. I am familiar with Afco. Are there any other radiator companies that anyone can recommend?

Papa, I'm extremely pleased with the PRC radiator I got for my '32 project. They were very easy to work with regarding moving the hose locations, adding a bung for the fan temp probe, etc, etc and it's a first class aluminum radiator.

Mike

Thanks Mike. PRC is the company I was trying to remember. They have the triple pass similar to the Afco double pass Dave mentioned. Would the triple be worth the extra money? Anyone running the triple pass on the street?