Don Coatney Posted June 20, 2014 Author Report Posted June 20, 2014 First mock up in progress. Good news is the hood will close so no need to drill holes and lower the radiator. Not so good news is I believe I may have to do some grinding on my modified radiator bracket to prevent rubbing. I also may need to do some more modifications on my front splash pan to prevent rubbing. However making these modifications to fit are most of the fun. Quote
littlemo Posted June 20, 2014 Report Posted June 20, 2014 Don, if you moved your radiator two inches forward physically, by flipping/turning the radiator mount around, how is your hood latch mechanism mounted ??? having trouble getting this "relocating" of the radiater figured out in this old head ?? Cass, alias littlemo... Quote
Don Coatney Posted June 20, 2014 Author Report Posted June 20, 2014 My original engine was 23" long. My Desoto engine is 25" long. To make it fit I had to modify and reverse the original radiator bracket so the radiator now bolts to the front of the bracket not the back of it. Hood latch did not change. Quote
The Oil Soup Posted June 20, 2014 Report Posted June 20, 2014 I've been looking at the cc4749 and think it may be a good fit for my B4B. Gary Quote
Don Coatney Posted June 20, 2014 Author Report Posted June 20, 2014 The Champion radiator comes with a sixteen pound cap. I just returned from Autozone in search of a four pound cap and a few other goodies. I was told that a sixteen pound cap is all they have on the shelf. Looks like I will have to go on line to find the four pound cap that I want. I did find an upper radiator hose that I can make work but to do so I must cut the 90 degree elbow off of the radiator. I trimmed the edge of the splash pan and opened the hole for pet cock access. The radiator is now bolted in place. Still need to re-install the pusher fan. Bought a hunk of overflow drain hose. Unbelievable cost, 2 jugs of 50-50 antifreeze, upper hose, overflow hose, over fifty bucks. Quote
55 Fargo Posted June 20, 2014 Report Posted June 20, 2014 Here you go Don at NAPA in Fort Wayne, http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx/Radiator-Cap/_/R-BK_7031412_0441427668 1 Quote
Don Coatney Posted June 20, 2014 Author Report Posted June 20, 2014 Thanks Rockwood, found one on Amazon for less than seven bucks shipped to my door. Quote
littlemo Posted June 20, 2014 Report Posted June 20, 2014 Thanks for posting Don, great help to those of us "following in your footsteps"! Guys like you are what makes this such a great Forum !! Cass, alias littlemo... Quote
Don Coatney Posted June 20, 2014 Author Report Posted June 20, 2014 I've been looking at the cc4749 and think it may be a good fit for my B4B. Gary If you go to the Champion radiator website all physical measurements are available. I would not think there is a major difference in truck size but I recommend you measure first. Quote
Don Coatney Posted June 20, 2014 Author Report Posted June 20, 2014 Thanks for posting Don, great help to those of us "following in your footsteps"! Guys like you are what makes this such a great Forum !! Cass, alias littlemo... Thanks for the compliments, having fun doing this. Quote
The Oil Soup Posted June 20, 2014 Report Posted June 20, 2014 Judging by their measurements the aluminum replacement is slightly smaller than stock but all the inlet and outlet sizes and placement are right on the money. Quote
Darbone85737 Posted June 20, 2014 Report Posted June 20, 2014 I noticed the outlet on the top tank was angled and wondered if this one http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/191178171465?lpid=82 would work better Quote
1941Rick Posted June 21, 2014 Report Posted June 21, 2014 I used the same radiator....had to cut the 90 off the top...looks better.....0 pressure cap 160 thermo stat and never gets over 170.....stock fan....cant beat the price for sure. Been in for 2 years no issues. 1 Quote
Don Coatney Posted June 21, 2014 Author Report Posted June 21, 2014 I used the same radiator....had to cut the 90 off the top...looks better.....0 pressure cap 160 thermo stat and never gets over 170.....stock fan....cant beat the price for sure. Been in for 2 years no issues. Thanks for sharing. I cringe when I think about taking a hack saw to this new radiator. Glad I am not the first to do this. Quote
Don Coatney Posted June 21, 2014 Author Report Posted June 21, 2014 I noticed the outlet on the top tank was angled and wondered if this one http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/191178171465?lpid=82 would work better I don't know how accurate the photo is but the one on ebay does not appear to have the correct mounting holes on the side flanges. Also has a furd V-8 emblem although that may be just for display in the advertisement. Quote
Jeff Balazs Posted June 21, 2014 Report Posted June 21, 2014 Don; Very sexy.......now I have a case of "Alloy envy". Sure wish I had gone this route on my truck. Would have been a lot less expensive than re coring the old radiator. Jeff Quote
Don Coatney Posted June 21, 2014 Author Report Posted June 21, 2014 Sexy? Guess I better not hike up my hood in your presence I am finding a few more differences in the old and new radiator. The custom brackets I fabricated to mount the electric fan must be modified as they do not fit. Just adds to the pleasure of the install. I have around $275.00 bucks in this project to date not counting my labor. I believe that is a lot less expensive than a re-core. Quote
Jeff Balazs Posted June 21, 2014 Report Posted June 21, 2014 (edited) Ok.....poor choice of words... huh? Still........a nicely shaped piece of alloy always makes my heart go pitter-patter. Guess I am starting to show my age if not any semblence of maturity. Jeff Edited June 21, 2014 by Jeff Balazs Quote
1941Rick Posted June 22, 2014 Report Posted June 22, 2014 I don't know how accurate the photo is but the one on ebay does not appear to have the correct mounting holes on the side flanges. Also has a furd V-8 emblem although that may be just for display in the advertisement.They use a generic photo on ebay.... Quote
USMC1188 Posted June 22, 2014 Report Posted June 22, 2014 Oh great... just another piece to add to my parts list, thanks.... Anyways, that looks great! Quote
Don Coatney Posted June 22, 2014 Author Report Posted June 22, 2014 Fan is mounted and the lower radiator hose is installed. I do have a problem and I know of no cure. My line in the sand keeps moving. I was not going to replace the thermostat but as I was this close I elected to do so. I purchased this NAPA 155 (180 degree) thermostat several years ago. It will go in as soon as the paint dries. Quote
Adam H P15 D30 Posted June 22, 2014 Report Posted June 22, 2014 Don. You have been putting off the spitfire head install for a while now. Has the time finally arrived. Maybe a "might as well" point has arrived? Quote
Don Coatney Posted June 22, 2014 Author Report Posted June 22, 2014 Don. You have been putting off the spitfire head install for a while now. Has the time finally arrived. Maybe a "might as well" point has arrived? I gotta save something to do next winter when the snow flies. I am missing prime driving time now. 1 Quote
Don Coatney Posted June 22, 2014 Author Report Posted June 22, 2014 The most difficult part of this install was me mentally getting the right mindset that I would have to take a hacksaw to the upper radiator inlet to bob off the 90degree elbow on this brand new radiator. The deed is done, I have passed the point of no return, also the new upper radiator rubber hose has been bobbed. Result is a perfect fit . I should be water tight now and I will find out soon. Quote
Oldguy48 Posted June 22, 2014 Report Posted June 22, 2014 It's looking good Don, but I was expecting a pic of that spiffy SPITFIRE head bolted into place. Wayne Quote
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