While i am having my 347/c4 transplanted into the 2dr i was planning on upgrading to a 100amp one wire alt and go with a new radiator. the factory -recored 3 row radiator isn't cooling the car enough. So i was hoping that number 1) you guyz could recommend a new radiator? and 2) is there possibly anything else for up to $500 that i could also do that would help make my car run better/faster/more reliable? i need to rebuild the top end of my motor to really help with the speed factor, but the car will be my daily driver as soon as i get it, so i mainly want reliabe-factor. Any help is appreciated. thanks Jason edit*** also, is there anything on a 74 347stroker that i can take off the motor that is unnecessary. I don't need to have any emissions stuff on the car so all that can go but i wasn't sure if there was much else? no a/c
First I would like to say, 1 wire alternators are an easy bolt on but a 3 wire works better as it can adjust itself to the load needed. 347 way cool!!!!!. I would be happy to give my opinion on the 500.00 thing but could you be a little more specific on your motor specs and what kinda carb/cam ets...
With one of these you might not need a new radiator. In fact you could get rid of your thermostat and your mechanical water pump, too. http://www.daviescraig.com.au/newproduct.asp BTW, I've seen them for sale here in the states for around $190.
It's just you! Electric fans have been have come on factory cars for the last 25 years. I've probably had mine for about 10. It cools at low engine/vehicle speeds, when you need it most. Up till now most electric water pumps were intended for drag race or very intermittant use. The Davies-Craig pump is for full time use.
well without digging through everything (i'm moving right as we speak) i'll try to remember what the motor build up was. stock 74 302 turned into a 347, 9.1:1 comp or close to, the factory heads were ported a little bit, cam was "close to a mustang gt" cam, edelbrock 650cfm, performer rpm *i think* intake. had the c4 rebuilt with a shift kit, put the auto on the floor with a b&m, the factory 8 inch was rebuilt with 3.55's but no posi. its a pretty good motor, but i can tell that the power drops off at a rather low level. around 4500rpm. it wasn't until just recently too that i could even get the motor to rev without restriction above 5000, but now it'll go to 5500 or so. i'm still running the factory alt, so thats why i was debating the 1-wire. i really don't know much about alts, but that is what my shop recommended. as far as the electric water pump goes, would it be a good idea? by turning it into electric i can eliminate the pulleys and i wouldn't lose as much hp correct?
...and i wouldn't lose as much hp correct? Correct. I've been runnning a 1-wire alt for about the last 6 years. I've heard too that the 3-wires are more responsive to actual loads, but I've never had any problems with mine. Even made the lights brighter!
BMCDANIEL....i have been thinking about using an electric fan for a while now--do you use yours on a stock (mine is 3-core) radiator, or does it only work on aftermarket aluminum radiators?
It's an improvement no matter what type of radiator you use. I previously had it on a stock radiator, then when that started leaking I got an aluminum cross flow unit. Just remember, the more HP you have, the more heat your gonna make and the more airflow you need from the fan. I have a Perma-Cool model 19115 unit rated at 2900 CFM. When your car is moving slowly or stopped not much air is forced through the radiator. That's also when a mechanical fan is turning the slowest, just when you need it most. An electric runs at full speed whenever it comes on, and you can wire it to cool things down even when you stop and the engine isn't running. If it's controlled by a thermostat it only runs when you need it.
I use a Griffin Rad Universal type welded my own brackets. I use derali fan(I think that is the name) super piece. I paid 130.00 if I remember 3 years ago. The 2 things I would concentrate on if I had that set up would be a set of heads and a posi. The posi could be done for the 500.00 mark or a little over. The heads if you got a used ste of world products and ported and polished yourself could be a close buy as well. Get the compression a little higher, unless your cam ( specs would help) can not handle it. Sounds like a decent setup all in all. For street use I would just stick with reg waterpump/upgrade to high flow. Electric is nice but more of a racer thing. My buddy runs one on his chevelle but he has a really strong alt. He has tons of accessories(fan Radio amps etc) No problems but I think a 160 amp alt. Good Luck Enjoy it man it is fun.
I got my Howe at the same place Barry got his aluminum radiator(his might be a Griffith) and Matt got his Griffith from. They were both under $200. I cannot remember there website. Also, Summit offers a kit from Moroso that changes your stock water pump to a electric by replaceing the stock pulley with a little plastic pulley and it is run off a electric motor, all parts & mounting hardware included for around $60.(I used this type set-up on the ole race car for years)
by the way, I now have a RCI water pump on my car, that with the Howe rad. and it will sit and idle all day long in the hot and humid OhioValley summer at around 175*
thanks guyz this is a bunch of good info for me to consider. i think i may have "confused" ya a bit though... The radiator and alternator are definete (sp? brain fart) upgrades. the other 5bills is ON TOP of whatever those go for things are getting better for me and i'm pretty happy with it. Thanks again
I cannot remember there website... http://www.performancebodies.com/2002 catalog/cooling/radiators.html#howerad
