mrdoug

Hey all, I have a SBC in my 85 ext cab. The engine placement is far enough forward that it got into the radiator on it's first trail run. I've picked up a new rad (22" tru cool from speedway) and I'm planning on putting it in the back with a turaus fan. I'm trying to figure out the plumbing now. I figure I'll need an electric aux pump to help things along.

I've read around and have decided to price out both copper and hrew, but I'm wondering what size. I've seen suggestions going from 1" to 2". I'll be running rubber hoses up from the pipes to/from the block and the rad in the back, So I assume I'll be able to compensate for the different hose sizes there.

What diameter should I run the tubes down the frame?

fillsrunner4

go with similar size tubing that the raditor uses in the first place about 1". I think 2" would be overkill. As for tubing I would say copper as it can dissapate heat faster than steel.

mrdoug

Thanks fillsrunner4. I would like to go copper, but unless I get a solid pro/con one way or another, the $$ will probably be the deciding factor (1.5" x 10' copper was $72 at home depot). I'm thinking that copper will dissipate heat better like you said, but hrew would be stronger (and cheaper) if I came down on any rocks or such.

I was hoping that I could get away with smaller diameter tubing since the water pump and rad all have 1 5/8" ID hookups and trying to run/secure 3"+ of tubing down the already tight frame rail was going to be challenging to say the least.

fillsrunner4

the hrew would be stonger but your gonna want to tuck them away anyway. Could run it through the frame although that can be alot of work to do. Also if you add a small body lift you can put it right ontop the frame. Ive seen that and liked it aside from the body lift.

Just be sure not to take away sizing so dont go smaller than any of the inlets and outlet sizing and youll be good.

What also would be sick but probably out of your price range would be stainless line like brakelines. your not gonna hurt those things thats for sure. I would love to do that to mine although its a bit too much for me. Will see!

One more thing! A real nice fan im using and is similar but bigger than the taurus fan is a lincoln 4.6 V8 fan. 18" blade, fits perfect around my stock Rad, sounds like you changed that though. Ide look into it though its a real nice fan and will cool the piss out of your 350 and its two speed

mrdoug

Heh, it already has a 3" BL on it that I'm trying to eliminate. With a 4" suspension on top of (or below) that 7" lift is just to much for the rocks I want to play on.

Running the coolant lines thru the frame would be great, but cutting open the frame, bending the pipes and re-welding the frame would be just too much at this point.

I did price out some braided/teflon/bling hoses (found them on earls plumbing) instead of the metal ones, only about 500 bones too much for my taste.

And your right, the stock radiator is long gone. I got this thing after somebody did the conversion (poorly I might add) and let the truck sit for 3 or so years. I bought it knowing that just about everything from the electrical to the suspension had to be redone. I was really hoping that the cooling was going to be easier than it has been but alas, Murphy setup shop in my garage.

fillsrunner4

If anything take the body lift down to an inch and use that area to run those lines. should be real easy with a body lift and a perfect area to tuck those lines running toand from the back. Pluis then they are away from the elements

Adam F

Why Hrew? Why not just plain old pipe or tube? Just use a small section of rubber hose in between the motor and the tube and tube and the radiator so it can flex. Just make sure your radiator is mounted higher than the tube.

fillsrunner4

Problem with pipe is that it rusts easy same with hrew thats why I reccomend either copper or rubber hose most likely both! Im thinking about going all rubber tube now cause its cheaper but may still use copper bends and a few feet maybe along the frame

toyscraps

There are some pretty cool food-grade clear flexible tubings sold at various supply stores, variety of sizes, and it seems like pretty tough stuff too, might be worth looking into.

fillsrunner4

problem with alot of materials is temp! How hot can it get?

toyscraps

Not sure, and can't remember a manufacturer or product name. I do know there was a pretty good variety of sizes and other specs, some very flexible, some more like just a softer pipe, Most are "ribbed" to be more or less crush proof. Here's a link to one example. Good to 120 C, or about 250 F. May not be the cheapest or most flexible stuff tho.

http://www.greggdistributors.ca/catpdfs/CatX017.pdf

toyscraps

Check out the stuff on the top of the page in the link.

http://www.greggdistributors.ca/catpdfs/CatX017.pdf

Just one example, no idea on cost, etc, but could be pretty workable I think.

Adam F

250F is not enough. Your rig might see temps that high occasionaly, or close to it. You want something that is rated much higher than what you expect to see.


I dont think clear plastic tubing is the way to go.

toyscraps

http://www.novaflex.com/productcart/...eam%20Hose.pdf

Some other stuff that could work too.

chevota4.3

I have a 79 toy with a heavily built 4.3 in it and we run in the mud all day long and the way i was told to go is to put a small radiator up front and then put your big radiator in the bed, using your heater core hose's to supply your big radiator in the bed. and what water pump is on your engine? if it has a stubby pump on it you should be able to fit a rad up front with a fan. no clutch fan. this is the way they run in florida and they have no problems.. just my $.02

mouse4x4

i have tore up a few radiators now with those junk flex fans everytime i go in a water hole or deep mud that is why i am putting mine in the back no room up front for a clutch fan

mrdoug

I had the stubby water pump, but still no room for the fan/rad up front. After several other issues regarding the 'build' I've decided to tear it all out and rebuild the truck. Aside from the burnt wiring and poor engine placement, the motor mounts were downright scary (and got even more scary when I went to cut them out and found out had bad the welds really were).

Thanks all for the replies and help. for now, it's gutted and I'm in progress with switching over to the 5vz with solid toyota drive train.

0utlaw

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Use pipe about same size as radiator outlets. I have a rear radiator in a 40 Ford pickup, blown 400 Chevy. I used the biggest griffin Nascar radiator $185) that would fit between the rails. Floor-
less bed) I built a stone shield out of wire shelving. I connected it with electrical conduit just to see if it would work. I use the STOCK Chevy pump and two huge fans in a homemade shroud on sensors. I used a scoop to direct air to it ( you will need plenty) Do not forget to flare the ends of your connecting tubes slightly and use gasket shellac.
Just experimental, but it has lasted 8 years and runs cool. 210-220 degrees (400's run hot and blown 400's hotter) Good luck...don't over build it....it works. (Do not ever run those goofy wire ties through the radiator core for your fans).
Outlaw