RADIATOR RELOCATION

[GREYFOX4INCH]

The question: can the lower radiator outlet be mounted below the the engine block inlet? does gravity play a part in the operation of the cooling system?

Explanation:I took out my radiator to put on my new proform elec fan
(that fan sucks by the way, poorly designed for mounting){car is-1988gt}
and now that the radiator is out, I dont want to put I back in, it looks so much better with all that room up front. I was thinking about welding up my own support that would bolt onto the original support. that way it can be mounted closer to the nose, under the hood latch mechinism. to do this, the radiator needs to be droped a few inches. this means that the radiator is more likely to be damaged(already taken into consideration)
also, is there a radiator that is the stock width, but maybe a few inches shorter that would still do a good job cooling?
why am i always the one asking the question that everyone says is a bad idea or not worth the trouble? i dont like things to be cheesey, or hacked but i do love originality.
anyone at stangnet actually done this before?
i did a search already also
THANK YOU

 

[just4bob50]

I just put a new radiator in also and once I had it out I liked how much room there was. I too thought about sending back my radiator to get one that would fit under the latch. After about an hour online of searching the only radiators that seemed like they would fit ok ended up being more of a drag style rad. as opposed to one that would work on the street. I ended up saying screw it.

 

[TheUser]

At first I thought this idea was not possible at all, but I went out and looked and thought about it. After some observation, I do think it could be done IF you mounted your brackets correctly and had a radiator at least one inch shorter than stock and preferably an inch or so less across longways. Obviously, you plan on deleting the A/C or already have done so - the A/C condensor is where you plan to put the radiator.

If you notice, the coolant has to flow up from the lower radiator hose to the water pump anyway, so dropping it an inch or two probably wouldn't hinder it much. However, keep in mind, you do have your bumper cover below the area in question, so you can't drop it that much.

One of the only issues I could find would be the radiator cap; how would you get it off and on? How would you replace coolant, etc? I couldn't find a feasbile solution to this.

By the way, get yourself a fan from a 3.8L early 90's Taurus. I got a fan from a 93 Taurus 3.8L for $50 used at a junk yard. There's a quick disconnect on the fans wiring - try to see if you can get both ends of the quick disconnect and a few inches of the wiring too. They pulled it and cut the wires off right after the disconnects, so I couldn't use them. Use a DCC control unit - www.dccontrol.com - and you should be good to go

 

[vristang]

Not a good idea if you ask me.

The problem that could come up has to do with air pockets getting stuck in the cooling system.
Air pockets will accumulate in the highest point in the system, which should be the overflow near the cap. If a water pocket obstructs water flow then you will have some serious cooling issues, as temps will spike and drop when the pocket is pushed out of the way.
Many people have such problems when swapping in the taller 351w for the 302.

If you do go through with it, be sure to use the stock rubber mounts, or something else that is soft and non conductive. Vibrations from the engine and chassis can accelerate corrosion/degradation of the thin radiator. Corrosion will also be increased if e- ground is allowed to pass through the radiator.

Just my thoughts,
jason

 

[GREYFOX4INCH]

If you notice, the coolant has to flow up from the lower radiator hose to the water pump anyway, so dropping it an inch or two probably wouldn't hinder it much. However, keep in mind, you do have your bumper cover below the area in question, so you can't drop it that much.

i actually was paying so much attention to the nose of the car that i didnt even notice the hose went up hill already. the bottom of the bumper actually was not getting in the way when i was testing some different positions. its just the area of the bumper around the grille insert, and those big white things that the light bulbs are attached to,(you know the piece of plastic that has the wires going into it, and twists into the housing.[the middle triangle lights] )

i went out and tried to find a way to make it fit, and screwed around with different mounting possitions. i think what it boils down to is that the stock radiator is just slightly to tall and to wide.the position that i like the best in theory, seems impossible in reality because the lower radiator outlet is right up against the core support. i did not realize that the support was built the way it is,its more chunky than i thought i wish i could just cut it off it also sucks that my parents bought me the proform elec fan for christmas(and i asked them to) but now i dont like it, and i cant not use it ya know. its too big, and now i wish i had a resversable puller/pusher one to go on the front of the radiator.
i think the blade can be taken off though, it has a allen key keyway. maybe i can put it on backwards and stick the fan infront, in the bumper. how about a totally remote radiator located in the hatch . no im not serious.
still thinking, more ideas guys?

 

[EmberGuitar]

I don't think taking our your radiator is such a good idea, and I do think that you got the wrong Proform fan for you.

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