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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 84
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 84 |
Looking to buy a new radiator. I was looking at one of the following: Desert Cooler, Be Cool and Rodney Red. In your opinion which is the better radiator.
Thanks for you help.
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,219
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Rodney Red was a drop-in fit for me. I run at an average of 185 now.
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 209
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Posts: 209 |
Exactly what Smitty2k said. Rodney Red, easy install, temp never goes over 185.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,719
Power Member
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Power Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,719 |
Living here in the desert, I'm not going to compromise. Rodney Red or bust!
2012 Mustang Boss 302 #1918, Competition Orange. FGF replacement
2006 Mustang V6 Pony, Vista Blue. Factory ordered.
2019 BMW X3 (Titled to the wife, but I'm always driving it for her. So I'm claiming it)
Old projects, gone but not forgotten:
1967 FB 400, original CA car. After 22 years of work, trashed by the guy who was supposed to paint it. I had to sell it.
1980 Turbo Trans Am
1970 Mustang fastback, 351C 4Bbl, auto
1988 Mustang GT, 5 speed
1983 F-150 4x4, built 302
1994 Chevy K2500 HD 4x4, 454 TBI
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,222
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Smitty, what did you run with the stock radiator before?
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,219
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Posts: 1,219 |
I never had stock - I think it was a desert cooler. (I flushed the radiator with CLR and tried water wetter, and replaced most of the baffles - all ineffective.)
I suspect my two biggest helps were the Rodney Red and the new fan clutch.
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 502
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Posts: 502 |
A new Rodney Red radiator and a 400 high-performance clutch (there is actually a difference between a 350 normal duty, and 400 high performance clutch) dropped my average temp (down here in deep south Texas) from 200+ down to 175-180. On cooler mornings I swear the engine runs at 165-170.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,222
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Posts: 1,222 |
Back in the day, I had a 68/350 with the poverty 3 speed column shift with no A/C. Even in 95 degree temperatures it never overheated. Here on the list I read of many who upgrade the radiator to resolve temperature issues. That is why I asked about the before vs after temperatures.
Of course the 400 engine, auto transmission, AC on and some slow cruising in a parade down south would make a difference. And I was not down South, just in Wash DC with my bird.
I bought a repro equivalent to the oem so I hope I am okay. Time will tell.
The engine should not run cooler than the thermostat you install. On my 350 I once installed a lower temp t-stat and the car ran poorly. Thomas, if yours is running that cool I don't think the t-stat is right.
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,219
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BTW, if you want a Rodney Red, order it now. It'll take around 30 to 60 days until they ship it. (Production back log.)
68Bigbird, what part of MD are you in? Would you like to meet up with Ashtray, me, and Merv someday soon?
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 502
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I am running a 160 t-stat at the moment, so yeah, I'll put in a 180. I just love seeing the gauge so low, even if it isn't optimal temp for a Pontiac. 
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,222
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Smitty, I'm near Frederick. I'll send you a pm. I met Steve and his bird a while back.
Thomas, it sounds like with that radiator, you're ready for global warming. Overkill is always good.
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