Darbone85737 Posted March 6, 2015 Report Posted March 6, 2015 Arrived this morning for my P-18. The thing is beautifully made and slipped right in without any effort. 2 Quote
BobT-47P15 Posted March 6, 2015 Report Posted March 6, 2015 Looks good. Where did you get it? What was the cost? Quote
Darbone85737 Posted March 6, 2015 Author Report Posted March 6, 2015 (edited) Ebay. There are lots of vendors selling Champion's products. I think is was a bit under $ 200. They make other radiators that have a spigot angled downward . I wanted the one with the straight spigot so I didn't need to cut off the angle to make it fit. Edited March 6, 2015 by Darbone85737 Quote
46Ply Posted March 6, 2015 Report Posted March 6, 2015 Might be a dumb question, but why did you replace the original? Quote
Darbone85737 Posted March 6, 2015 Author Report Posted March 6, 2015 (edited) I had it repaired once and it still leaked. It was too expensive to re-core. I think I got around $ 60 for it at the scrap yard. My car isn't a restoration. It's going to be a daily driver and I like having a clean, shiny piece in the engine compartment. I just rebuilt the engine and now the cooling system will be totally free of dirt, corrosion and rust. Edited March 6, 2015 by Darbone85737 Quote
Don Coatney Posted March 6, 2015 Report Posted March 6, 2015 I have also installed a new Champion radiator. I do not have any means to document exact efficiency numbers but my seat of the pants evaluation proves to me that with this new radiator the cooling efficiency of my engine is greatly improved. I do not use a belt driven cooling fan. I have installed a thermostatically controlled electric pusher fan. With my original radiator my fan would barely keep up if I was stuck in a traffic jam on a hot day and the engine coolant temperature would climb to over 200 degrees. With the new radiator my electric pusher fan easily maintains an acceptable engine coolant temperature when stuck in traffic on a hot day. With my original radiator my electric fan would not be required and the thermostatic fan controller would shut the fan down when driving over 30 MPH. With the new radiator the fan thermostatic controller drops out at around 20 MPH maintaining my pre set 180 degree engine coolant temperature. Had I have known about how inefficient my original radiator was I would have upgraded to a new aluminum radiator 10 years ago. Quote
46Ply Posted March 6, 2015 Report Posted March 6, 2015 (edited) I like the sound of this. I might just make this upgrade right off the bat! Can you point me to the fan that you used. No point re-inventing the wheel here. What radiator and fan combo is correct for a P15? I went to the Champion site, but not sure which application I need. And a picture would be great! Edited March 6, 2015 by 46Ply Quote
Tom Skinner Posted March 6, 2015 Report Posted March 6, 2015 Gents, I have a question? All of the Champion radiators on Ebay, state:For Manual Transmissions only. Does that mean because I have a 1948 Chrysler Royal with Fluid Drive I would be getting a Radiator that wouldn't fit? Perhaps because it would be to thick to fit down into the Bracket? Or do you'all suppose that they mean a manual transmission is actually a Fluid Drive? I am going out on a limb here, and suppose I am needing to just call them and inquire? Tom Skinner Huntersville, North Carolina Quote
Don Coatney Posted March 6, 2015 Report Posted March 6, 2015 The fan I use came from JC Whitney several years ago. The thermostatic controller is pictured below. It was the only one I found at the time I was looking that was adjustable in the temperature range I was looking for. Quote
Don Coatney Posted March 6, 2015 Report Posted March 6, 2015 Gents, I have a question? All of the Champion radiators on Ebay, state:For Manual Transmissions only. Does that mean because I have a 1948 Chrysler Royal with Fluid Drive I would be getting a Radiator that wouldn't fit? Perhaps because it would be to thick to fit down into the Bracket? Or do you'all suppose that they mean a manual transmission is actually a Fluid Drive? I am going out on a limb here, and suppose I am needing to just call them and inquire? Tom Skinner Huntersville, North Carolina My best guess is that the radiator does not have an automatic transmission cooler built in. With fluid drive no cooler is required. But call them to make sure. Quote
Don Coatney Posted March 6, 2015 Report Posted March 6, 2015 As a side note. Contact Champion directly as opposed to buying on eBay. Price may be better buying direct from the manufacture but do your homework first. Quote
46Ply Posted March 6, 2015 Report Posted March 6, 2015 Looks good Don, Where are the horns? Could they still reside where they were originally? Quote
Don Coatney Posted March 6, 2015 Report Posted March 6, 2015 Looks good Don, Where are the horns? Could they still reside where they were originally? I have installed a long block Desoto flathead 6 engine and had to move my radiator 2" towards the front with no room for the stock horns. So I have installed a pair of aftermarket horns. Quote
Tom Skinner Posted March 7, 2015 Report Posted March 7, 2015 Don, I found one from DNANMotoring that is an exact Dimension Fit on Ebay. I will just call them on their 800 # and ask, but I am sure the Dimensions are spot on. Tom Quote
46Ply Posted March 7, 2015 Report Posted March 7, 2015 Yea, I found those also, and they are quite a bit less expensive. I'm wondering what the difference might be. Quote
Old School Posted March 7, 2015 Report Posted March 7, 2015 Gents, I have a question? All of the Champion radiators on Ebay, state:For Manual Transmissions only. Does that mean because I have a 1948 Chrysler Royal with Fluid Drive I would be getting a Radiator that wouldn't fit? Perhaps because it would be to thick to fit down into the Bracket? Or do you'all suppose that they mean a manual transmission is actually a Fluid Drive? I am going out on a limb here, and suppose I am needing to just call them and inquire? Tom Skinner Huntersville, North Carolina It is my understanding that one can consider fluid drive as merely a coupling to what is a manual transmission. Quote
Andydodge Posted March 7, 2015 Report Posted March 7, 2015 That reference to being only suited to a manual trans is as Don has said the built in transmission cooler which became the standard OEM way to cool the transmission from the late 50's onwards........as these are an aftermarket radiator it would not make sense to offer one with the trans cooler as probably 99% of those using this type of alloy radiator with an auto trans would use a separate aftermarket trans cooler.......either way they are a nice looking radiator..............just curious tho'..... would they be even more efficient painted flat black?.....don't get me wrong, I like the shiney look also but curious.......lol.......andyd Quote
BobT-47P15 Posted March 7, 2015 Report Posted March 7, 2015 Good question Andy. I probably would like it black instead of all shiny in my car. Do you know any radiator shop guys in your town to inquire? Quote
Don Coatney Posted March 7, 2015 Report Posted March 7, 2015 One issue is aluminum is not easy to paint. An etching primer must be used and even with the best of preparation flaking and peeling is more likely to occur especially on a radiator due to the heat cycles expanding and contracting the aluminum. Quote
Andydodge Posted March 7, 2015 Report Posted March 7, 2015 Bob, the local radiator shop did my current radiator soon after I moved here to Grafton in 1992,they used a late model Oz Holden Commodore core mounted vertically with upper & lower tanks that they had from who knows what but it came out well and has been a very good radiator, I have an electric fan with a manual override mounted at the front.......Don, that's something I hadn't thought about actually...........I haven't studied them but are OEM alloy radiators unpainted or painted?.........unfortunately these are the only pics I could find that show the radiator in the 'ol brown turd..............andyd Quote
Darbone85737 Posted March 7, 2015 Author Report Posted March 7, 2015 My best guess is that the radiator does not have an automatic transmission cooler built in. With fluid drive no cooler is required. But call them to make sure. The radiator I just installed has 2 blue plastic plugs screwed into the bottom tank. They could be for a transmission cooler line but I have no need. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted March 7, 2015 Report Posted March 7, 2015 most if not all of the aftermarket radiators are built not so much for the stocker but the stock size and fit with the rodding industry more in mind than flathead. Thus said the automatic tranny cooler may well be installed. Even in modern vehicles like trucks the rads are same for the manual as is that of the automatic with the cooler inlet outlet plugged in manner as Don said is was. At least from my experience with the 2004 Dakota..auto tranny cooler installed...but plugged as the truck has a 5 speed manual. NOw companies like Griffing will give you a choice and has both models for some application..most generic and not generally model specific..their one listed model specific is not in my opinion a good fit..returned it for a easier to fit and plumb generic Quote
CoronetGuy Posted March 7, 2015 Report Posted March 7, 2015 As a side note. Contact Champion directly as opposed to buying on eBay. Price may be better buying direct from the manufacture but do your homework first. Find the right ebay seller and you will most likely get it cheaper than through Champion. I got my 3 core through ebay for about $20 less than Champion website, plus I got free shipping. Although the box was horribly mangled and I'm surprised the radiator didn't have more damage than it actually did. Quote
Don Coatney Posted March 7, 2015 Report Posted March 7, 2015 Find the right ebay seller and you will most likely get it cheaper than through Champion. I got my 3 core through ebay for about $20 less than Champion website, plus I got free shipping. Although the box was horribly mangled and I'm surprised the radiator didn't have more damage than it actually did. As I said, do your homework. Summit racing, Jeggs, Amazon, and several other vendors handle Champion radiators. Quote
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