This is the first installment of my write up. Here is the list of parts I ordered; 1. Jegs 26x19 Aluminum Radiator – http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/52017/10002/-1 - $175.99 2. Jegs Fan Shroud Kit W/HP Fan - http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/52063K2/10002/-1 - $184.99 3. Jegs Fan Relay Kit - http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/10559/10002/-1 - $29.99 4. Jegs Polished 16lbs Radiator Cap - http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/51162/10002/-1 - $16.99 5. Jegs Nylon Tie Mounting Kit - http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/53500/10002/-1 - $5.99 Grand Total: $427.93 with shipping I’m also using a Derale 7000 Series transmission cooler. As far as the radiator is concerned, I decided to go with Jegs unit for a couple of reasons. Firstly, they are cheap. I’m trying to do this on a budget and that was a major concern. Secondly, they are of MUCH better quality than the comparable Summit unit. Thirdly, Jegs makes a specific shroud/fan combo (see part # 2) for the radiator. It fits like a glove and butts up really tight to the tanks. Finally, I liked the size of the Jegs unit. It’s basically the biggest core you can squeeze into the stock location with hacking up the factory core support. I had to make a few MINOR modifications to my ’62 that I will cover later, but it dropped in fairly easily. Overall I’m pleased with everything so far. I've attached some pics as well. The next installment will cover assembling all the components (radiator, shroud, fan, and transmission cooler). I’ll try and get that up later tonight. Let me know if there is anything else you all would like me to include.
This is the second installment of my write up. Im going to cover installing all the components (fan, shroud, transmission cooler) onto the radiator. First I installed the fan onto the shroud. The hardware wasnt included in the kit although everything IS predrilled. After a trip to Ace Hardware I got four 1/4in x 3/4in long bolts, four washers, four lock washers, and four nuts. Then I tightened everything up. Second I installed the transmission cooler on the radiator. Like I noted in the first installment, I'm using the Jegs Nylon Tie Mounting Kit (see part # 5 above). I placed the included foam pads (visible in the pics) on both sides of the trans cooler to prevent any damage to it or the radiator. I guesstimated on the placement and then fed the ties through the core. Before synching down the Nylon Ties, I placed additional foam pads on the opposite side of the radiator between the core and the ends of the Nylon Ties. Thirdly I installed the shroud (with the fan mounted) on the radiator. The hardware WAS included (eight 3/16in bolts, eight washers, and eight lock nuts) but nothing was predrilled. The instructions called for the eight holes to be drilled with a # 7 bit. After using a center punch to mark the areas to be drilled, I found that a 13/64in bit was needed to be able to effectively get the bolts through the holes. After tightening everything and snapping a bolt in the process, I did encounter a slight problem. Due to the foam pads I used with the trans cooler, there was a slight clearance problem that kind of bowed the shroud toward the middle. Its not a big deal and is hardly noticeable so Ill probably just leave it as it is. But, if I had to do to again Id leave out the additional foam pads I placed on the opposite side of the radiator. Fourthly I installed a drain plug. Basically I robbed the plug off my stock radiator. I cleaned it up a little bit, used some Teflon tape on the threads, and screwed it in. It fits perfect! And just for clarification, any bolt dimension I've listed has been the THREAD size, not the head size. Also, here are a few teaser pics of it being mocked-up. I'm not sure when the thrid installment will be posted, probably sometime next week. It will include the minor mods I had to make and how I will mount it.
This is the third installment of my write up. Sorry its taken so long to get the next portion up, but Ive been pretty busy. Things had been going REALLY well up until this point, then old Murphys law decided to screw with me. Last night I began mocking up the radiator in the car and figuring out how I was going to mount it. Unfortunately I ran into a couple problems that could have been avoided, had I not been so anxious to assemble everything. I had planned on using the factory mounting hardware (much like Steve Mr62Buick) but I ran into clearance problems with both the trans cooler and shroud. To remedy this I did a few different things. Firstly, I decided to cut the factory hold-down in half and use one half on either end of the radiator (as seen in the pics). I decided to cut the factory hold-down into two hold-downs so I wouldnt have a huge hole in the shroud, but two smaller ones. Secondly, I trimmed two 1.5in x 2in rectangles into either end of the shroud to clear the hold-downs. Finally, I repositioned the trans cooler and also decided to mount it vertically. As far as the car, the radiator fits like a glove. I had to bend the two factory side bolsters to face front back instead of side side (this is shown in the pics). Besides that no other mods were needed to make it physically fit in the factory core support. Right now Im waiting for a hose adapter from Summit, since the radiator inlet is 1.5in and the factory hose is 1.75in. I could have gotten some nice braided hoses but that would have been $60 rather than $6. Once I receive the parts and get the radiator assembled again, Ill cover mounting it and hooking it up.
If you take the original brackets that are bolted to the core support and the others part is bolted to the fan blade protector piece (the one you cut up) just flip the smaller brackets over and the fan will now be secured 3" lower. (see my pics of my wildcat in the "axle questions" under "da' nailhead" and you'll see what I mean. ALSO, you must have the cooler 1" away from the radiator. Not only to keep from holes being vibrated into the radiator from the cooler, but the cooler will absorb the heat from the radiator and keep the trans cooler "heated up" . Unfortunatly, the cooler you have is not the most efficient since the tubes that has the trans fluid going the through them mainly have the fluid go down the center of the tubes and is not 100% efficient. Hayden makes a great cooler. One where there is no pressure drop and the fluid twists in the tubes and goes through "X" type fins. (again, see pic of my wildcat in da' nailhead under the axle questions...)
Ooo, I've been slacking on my thread. I've been a little pre-occupied with the exhaust, but I did get everything mocked up. I just need to flush everything and then fill it with new coolant. I'll try and get an update up by the end of the weekend. Who knows, it might even be running :TU: ! As far as the mounting brackets, that's exactly how I mounted them. We had a 45* day about a week ago, so I was able to get the brackets painted. I didn't realize that the trans cooler is supposed to be an inch away from the radiator. That almost seems excessive. There is probably 1/2in of clearance between the core and cooler since it's insulated with those foam pads. That's all the instructions call for, and that's all I've ever been told you needed. Anyone else care to chime in? I do realize that my cooler isn't the best, however it is definitely more than I need for my application. I believe it's rated at 18500 GVW, plus I already had it from a previous installation. Also, what would be the best way to flush the coolant passages in the block? Can I just take out the thermostat and stick a hose in the water neck? It seems a little crude but maybe it would work...
I had to put one of these in my BMW once when the mechanical fan blew up: http://www.zionsvilleautosport.com/store/shop.mv? i wish that thing fit in my buick without modificaiton.
