Radiator question

Dodge Aspen R/T 318

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Hello all, Jim here..Pulled the 318 out of the 78 Aspen today and the 360 is going in this coming new week..The 360 is semi built roughly 375/400 horse, priced an aluminum radiator, 1 row with cooling fan 1,400 bucks, with out fans 880 bucks, cant imagine what a 4 row would cost..I’m installing a new higher flow aluminum water pump before I install the 360..The stock replacement radiator is 450 bucks..I’m not going to the drag strip, I’m not running the engine at high RPMs, car will only go out a couple of times a week up and down Main Street and occasionally will get on it once in a while..My question is will the stock radiator with the way I’m going to drive the car be good enough to keep the engine running cool..The 318 that was in the car had a 6 cylinder radiator the temperature ran a cool 160/170 degrees..What do you guys think about the stock replacement radiator for the 360, your advice is very much appreciated…thanks, Jim..
 

jasperjacko

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My current combo is a 360 about 325ish hp. I run the factory 318 a/c radiator and haven't had a cooling problem except when I made 3 hot laps at the drag strip on a summer night in the 80-85 degree range.
 

Duke5A

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You probably want something like this then. It's a Champion radiator part number CH374. Three row 26" that cost me $250. Cooling fans are duals pulled out of V6 Ford Contour for $35. To give you an idea I'm using this same setup on my stroked big block now and it keeps the motor right at 180. Works great.

I think Champion discontinued the part number, but you should be able to find something that fits in their catalog. The CH374 was a universal fit.

No reason to buy some expensive aftermarket fans. Junkyard stuff cleans up just fine and pulls more air.

20140719_141235_LLS.jpg
 

VWagon

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I swapped a 360 into my /6 wagon this past winter. The original rad was looking pretty good so i reused it. Had to build spaces to move it over a couple of inches so the shroud would line up properly with the V8 but otherwise.....no real issues.
Mind you I live in Eastern Canada and we don't see a lot of days in the 90s I have cruised many a day in the 80s and had no issue at all keeping this healthy 360 with exhaust manifolds cool.
Bigger is better and I can't see you regretting the upgrade but I'm sure what you have would probably keep up fine
 

DCAspen

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Vwagon is your radiator a 22 inch?
 

DCAspen

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You can put your 22” radiator in its original location and flip the shroud upside down and it will line up perfectly with your V-8 engine

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LSM360

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You probably want something like this then. It's a Champion radiator part number CH374. Three row 26" that cost me $250. Cooling fans are duals pulled out of V6 Ford Contour for $35. To give you an idea I'm using this same setup on my stroked big block now and it keeps the motor right at 180. Works great.

I think Champion discontinued the part number, but you should be able to find something that fits in their catalog. The CH374 was a universal fit.

No reason to buy some expensive aftermarket fans. Junkyard stuff cleans up just fine and pulls more air.

View attachment 49461
Yes and I only hear really good things about Champion Rads.

I have a 408 stroker in my M body Police car with stock Police radiator, stock 7 blade fan and clutch, and 3.21 gears and it almost runs too cool. I had to swap the a thermostat from (I think) 160 to 180 because it never fully warmed up.
 
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