Nova Bob
Nov 30th, 08, 02:13 PM
I need a new Radiator/Shroud & Fan for my 65 Chevy II with a 283 engine. I'm thinking of going to an Aluminum Radiator with a single LARGE electric fan and shroud built into it. I tried the Alumitech Radiator and twin Spal Fans on my 396 Chevelle and it worked fine but were WAY WAY TOO LOUD. ..I would love to find a large single fan hooked up to an Aluminum Radiator with a shroud that didn't sound like a freight train coming down the road..
Anyone have any suggestions...I definately want a DIRECT FIT..?
Bob in CT
Big Dave
Nov 30th, 08, 03:18 PM
With a 283 I would use a stock aluminum resin tank with factory fans off of a Caddy. I don't thinkyou will need a six inch thick Howe radiator to cool your beast.
Big Dave
PDQ 71
Dec 3rd, 08, 12:48 AM
I agree with Big Dave. But personally I'd just buy a stock replacement radiator from Oreilly's/Autozone for 160.00 and find yourself a stock shroud (ground up? restorations, year one) and stock or flex fan. I run a stock 6 cyl. radiator with stock shroud and a 17 inch flex fan on my 355 (375-400HP) and it barely goes above 160' even in July. Big Blocks are much harder to cool than SBC's and your 283 (Not that it might not be a bad little motor scooter, cuz I've seen some wicked 283's) would probably be very happy with a stock setup. My two cents.
Big Dave
Dec 3rd, 08, 05:49 AM
Believe it or not the thicker the cylinder walls of the engine the cooler it runs. An early 1964-'67 283 block will have thicker cylinder walls than any other small block (many were overbored 0.125" to make 301's which all ran hot due to the paper thin cylinder walls at that point). I am not a "fan" of flex fans because it takes thesame amount of energy to turn one as the blades bend as when thay are flat (it is the energy used to bend the blades that is being wasted). I much prefer a thermally activated mechanical fan which free wheels (no energy loss) when not needed for my BBC. With your thick walled 283 an aluminum core radiator and a set of SPALL fans off of a big Ford cooling will be optimal.
Big Dave
SHIFTY4
Dec 3rd, 08, 10:43 AM
i have a Summit radiator and a Derale fan on my '64 and they work great... i think the biggest issue you'll be looking at Bob are the key words you used in the thread... "DIRECT FIT"
unless it's a SUPER high dollar unit, say, like a "Ron Davis" or a "BeCool" where it's a custom unit built for your car i think you'll find they're all a "Universal" fit... in which case i think i'd recommend staying with the original style radiator but getting a HD replacement where a 4 row could be used in place of the possible 2 row that's in the car now...