Radiator options for 454 j-2000

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swampedge
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Radiator options for 454 j-2000

Post by swampedge »

Since I've put the 454 in my J2000 I can't run my a/c all the time in the summer. The engine creeps up in heat very slowly so the factory 4 row B-350 radiator is very close to working. Was wondering what aluminum radiators work in these trucks without having to lay down 450 bucks for a Novak unit. Don't really want to cut on my truck.
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Re: Radiator options for 454 j-2000

Post by jaber »

I will be watching.

After the Caddy install, I had the 4 row rebuilt by a rad shop and had the ports swapped at the same time. I have a make shift shroud (doesnt hug the fan), but it likes to run in the lower 200*s.
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Re: Radiator options for 454 j-2000

Post by swampedge »

I want to run much cooler than that. The engine is about to have its 7.0 pistons replaced with 10.0s and aluminum heads intake etc. Not working within a budget just hate spending.............it's like life you're only going to get a set amount and they both end when you die!
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Stuka
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Re: Radiator options for 454 j-2000

Post by Stuka »

Swap out to an aluminum radiator. Should solve your issues. Aluminum is a far better conductor than brass. BJ's has an aluminum radiator meant for 350 swaps, so the inlet/outlet are in a different location than the stock 360 one. It may work for you?

Also, are you using a mechanical fan or an electric fan? A strong electric fan is quite a bit more efficient than a mechanical fan. Its right up against the radiator and has less parasitic power loss.
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Re: Radiator options for 454 j-2000

Post by Tad »

I would disagree about the electric fan, but that is just me trying to keep electrical sucking stuff off my rig.
I too ditched my AC when I first built this rig, then I bought one of the first BJ's AL setups for the GM conversions, didn't fit well but I bought it as as a blem unit fairly cheap,
I did some mod's to the flanges but I can weld AL.
It it two large cores and with some changes to to heater inlet (caddy thing) it seams capable of handling the Caddy 425.
It runs like 185* spot on even though it is old, but I still plan on some sort of shroud, someday.
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Re: Radiator options for 454 j-2000

Post by csuengr »

Stuka wrote:Swap out to an aluminum radiator. Should solve your issues. Aluminum is a far better conductor than brass.
Wrong!

Thermal conductivity of aluminum @ 80* C: ~212 W/m*K

Thermal conductivity of copper @ 80* C: ~401 W/m*K

Some reading.

http://www.hotrodhotline.com/md/html/al ... copper.php
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Re: Radiator options for 454 j-2000

Post by pcoplin »

Aluminum is a much worse conductor than brass, however a new style aluminum radiator will cool better than the one you have. Id look at Summit 's line of universal radiators. They are actually pretty nice.
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Re: Radiator options for 454 j-2000

Post by Stuka »

csuengr wrote:
Stuka wrote:Swap out to an aluminum radiator. Should solve your issues. Aluminum is a far better conductor than brass.
Wrong!

Thermal conductivity of aluminum @ 80* C: ~212 W/m*K

Thermal conductivity of copper @ 80* C: ~401 W/m*K

Some reading.

http://www.hotrodhotline.com/md/html/al ... copper.php
Uhm, you just listed copper, while I said BRASS (an alloy, not pure copper), which is what the stock radiator uses. Copper is the best conductor of heat that we know of. So yes it is better than aluminum. Brass however is far worse than aluminum or copper.
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Re: Radiator options for 454 j-2000

Post by Stuka »

pcoplin wrote:Aluminum is a much worse conductor than brass, however a new style aluminum radiator will cool better than the one you have. Id look at Summit 's line of universal radiators. They are actually pretty nice.
Sorry dude, but 100% wrong. Whom ever told you brass was better was wrong.

Both of these back me up:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_th ... uctivities

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/therm ... d_858.html

Copper is better than aluminum, brass however is not (Zinc is a TERRIBLE heat conductor). On both the above links, a higher number is better for thermal conductivity.
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Re: Radiator options for 454 j-2000

Post by carnuck »

I'd try a bottle of Redline Water Wetter first
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Re: Radiator options for 454 j-2000

Post by pcoplin »

Stuka, I completely mistyped and meant copper.

However, aren't the radiators copper core with brass tanks?
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Re: Radiator options for 454 j-2000

Post by Stuka »

pcoplin wrote:Stuka, I completely mistyped and meant copper.

However, aren't the radiators copper core with brass tanks?
Neither of mine were. '75 Cherokee with 360 was all brass, and '81 J10 with 258 was all brass (Even cut that one up to inspect). Not sure I have seen one from any make that had copper tubes, but maybe they did way back in the 50's or something. But none if the 70's up Ford/GM have been copper in my experience. No experience with dodge.

A copper one would cool very well, just not sure on if anti-freeze will prevent them from corroding.


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Re: Radiator options for 454 j-2000

Post by swampedge »

I guess I'm going to lay down the coin for a novak as it's made to bolt right in. We'll see if it can handle 400 hp with the a/c running.
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Re: Radiator options for 454 j-2000

Post by Dusty »

While I do not have a cheby in my jeep, I do have one of the BJ's aluminum radiators................... Errrrrrr I mean HAD!

I had the electric fan kit as well it.

Did I say had?

Never again is what I meant to say.

I switched back to a factory set up, and the difference is amazing. No stupid electric thermostat to go out again, and again, and again. No stupid little metal clip to break off on the fan to motor, and leave me stranded.
As a matter of fact the factory set up is actually running cooler around town, and now when I drive on the highway above 70mph my temperature does not start to climb.

It sure did look Purdy though. :roll:
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Re: Radiator options for 454 j-2000

Post by Kenne »

well you have a, forgive me, bastard size rad. (if you have a 68-71 J2000)

the buick rads where the second in the size line, 327 being the first and the AMC line being the last.

since i had the smallest with my OE 327, i opted to swapp out the rad support to that of a 77 wag.

that way i can use AMC rads, which are ezr to get at a pic n pull in NM than a fancy AL one in NE.


i have a store bought 4 core and run cool in town..but then i have SBC.


but no matter what rad you get, get a good shroud and (IMHO, a thermo clutch fan)

in the pic, OE rad support front, '77, rear.
no location of left hand support.
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