Thread: Project Special K

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Well all the side projects for my wife's big Birthday bash paid off yesterday. We had a live Jazz band pumping out some great tunes, lots of good folks celebrating the big 40 with her, and the house and yard looked great. A big kick for me was all the little kids asking to sit in the truck! At one point 4 of them were in there pretending to drive. One little fellow almost cried when it was time to get out, but a quick diversion of playing with the dogs helped.
So now it is back to the truck without any more distractions!
The radiator never showed up this week. I guess they left the street name off the adress label. It made it to california from michigan, only to go back to it's starting point, it's back out here in UPS space suppose to arrive tomorrow. Once I unpack it I'll be able to figure out what sort of fan setup will work. Right now I think it will have to be a pusher. Not sure how many CFM's I will need? Anyone with experience in this area please lend me your knowledge! (for refreshers it's a 460 with 750 carb, edelbrock performer intake, mild cam, c6 auto trans, headers, etc..)

I almost forgot, after three runs to the parts store for universal joint straps, I got the right set for my application, and finaly got it in, fits great!

Got the new radiator custom made from Superior Radiator in Michigan. It was less than half of the cost from some big internet rad. sites. These guys gaurentee it for two years, so I let you know how it works out if some of you need custom built aluminum radiators for around 300.00 bucks. All welded no epoxy, here are some shots

Thanks Alan. I measured it up and this sucker is big. It should take up to a 19 inch pusher fan just not sure what type. I've heard great stuff about spal, summit makes them a lot cheaper but haven't heard anyone using their name brand setups!

Some shots with it temp in place. It's tall but should clear the hood.

Well I finally got an upper radiator hose from summit that looks nice and should custom bend to fit. It actually was pretty cheap for a braided line. The bottom hose came yesterday. It will involve major altercations to fit the short run from the water pump to the bottom of the radiator(it is 2" on one end and 1 3/4" on the other, with a built in 90 degree. It's just too long and not bent quite enough.
On the summer projects note, my wife's 40th Birthday bash was a tremendous hit, My first deer hunt was a success( I think the deer jumped up to make it easier for me) and with vacation just a week away, it's been imposible to get anything done on the truck, but order parts. Next I'm going to get the pusher fan. It has space for a 19" diameter fan, it seems what's availible varies quite a bit! I'm not sure about CFM's required for my mild build 460 with c-6. Any suggestions? I'd like to keep it under 200 bucks for the price, but will buy something that comes highly recommended, if it is more, vs. an unknown. Summit has a few for 70 bucks and temp controlled on off relays for 40-50 bucks. What do you think?

[QUOTE=Evolvo;360199]

Originally Posted by stovens

Some shots with it temp in place. It's tall but should clear the hood.
Steve, have you actually checked to see if it does clear? Before you go cutting and fitting rad hoses you better make sure. You don't want to be the only guy on the site thats had to redo something!!

Thanks Alan, I resemble that comment!!!!!!!

Who me?
Thanks, I was planning to just vice grip clamp it for start up, then mount it permanent later, but it would be nice to get the hood off the floor, since my garage space keeps shrinking as stuff like a new freezer move out there!

Well I was motivated by the losing interest thread and by the fact I want to get this new 460 started. So I cleared some space in the garage, and started playing with radiator hoses and after some mods, got both the upper and lower hoses on. The radiator wants to sit farther back than originaly where the 48 mounts are. So I figured I'd check the clearance and put the hood on there. While I was at it I fixed the hood latch handle that has baffled me for years!
So I carefully covered the radiator top and wrestled the hood opn(wife taking nap, no helpers) and bam it fits just fine foward. Which means no pusher fan, no electric fan, just a nice stock one! Solves several problems and saves me some cash! Yah hooo! Anyway I should have done this weeks ago, so thank you all who post your progress to get me motivated!
Now I just need to fabricate some radiator mounts unless anyone knows of some aftermarket ones. Also I recall reading here that I want to just mount the sides not the bottom so the is play and the radiator isn't torn apart, is that correct? Thanks here's a few photos.


note that the squeezed hose on the frame will actually be elevated to prevent this
And here is the new clearance I gained.