72 Riviera radiator issues

Discussion in 'A boatload of fun' started by Lv8rguy, Jul 9, 2020.

  1. Lv8rguy

    Lv8rguy Member

    Recently discovered my radiator is only taking about half the room allotted for it, further inspection tells me not original cuz its only about 1" thick ! Anyway, where would be best to look for new radiator, type, and just putting a new rebuilt 455 in so even thinking of going with electric fans. Anyone made this change on a Riv? Thanks for any advice/suggestion...
     
  2. 71rivera

    71rivera Platinum Level Contributor

    I prefer the American made copper /brass over aluminum, but they are pricey.
    And there is something off putting to me about an electric fan kicking in on a car like this... totally personal opinion.
    With a good radiator shroud and thermal clutch on a mechanical fan, my 550hp 72' Riviera stays cool with the factory radiator.

    http://www.usradiator.com/buick-riviera-1972-76-v8-factory-4-row-radiator.html
     
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  3. Lv8rguy

    Lv8rguy Member

    Thanks for the input, I've heard this before, I just remember heat issues from my previous 71 & 72 back in early days, may have just been operator error...thanks!
     
  4. 71rivera

    71rivera Platinum Level Contributor

    I was having heating issues on one of my Rivieras and after flushing the radiator, trying water wetter etc. it ended up being that the timing was off.
     
  5. Lv8rguy

    Lv8rguy Member

    Yeah, that's a possibility also. I will be checking that going in with the new motor anyway, thanks
     
  6. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    An aluminum radiator with 2 rows of big (1" minimum)tubes will out perform any Brass/Copper radiator and last longer as well. My Griffin aluminum radiator with 2 rows of 1 1/4" tubes is 20 years old. It still looks new inside. My engine runs right at the thermostat rating (180*)under any conditions. That is with the stock Fan shroud, clutch, and fan. Proper ignition timing helps. 1972 Buick engines ran retarded ignition timing with no vacuum advance until 3rd gear. They ran hot from this alone.
     
  7. Lv8rguy

    Lv8rguy Member

    Thanks for the confirmation, thought I had seen that somewhere here before. Got a Griffin 2 row w/1 1/4" tubes ordered! I have original shroud but wrong fan (probably original cause of overheating) but will prob go dual electric fans....
     
  8. nekkidhillbilly

    nekkidhillbilly jeffreyrigged youtube channel owner

    you can get a ebay aluminum with a shroud and e fans for 220 ish fyi. im going to switch to this on my 72 probably this month.
     
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