: Dual Drive Water Pumps

[donald w. miller]

I notice there is much interesting technical information here regarding
cooling systems.

1. They argue with myth of moving water through radiator too fast for it to
cool.
2. NASCAR runs 21 -30 psi radiator caps.
3. How to modify thermostats for better performance
4. Reason restrictors are a no no.
5. etc. etc.

http://www.stewartcomponents.com/tech_info.htm

Don Miller
75 project
Shenandoah Valley of Virginia

> I thought some of you may be interested in adding to your Christmas wish
> list for that ultimate motor build.
>
> Just something else (like we need more?) to talk about.
>
> Larry Davick
> Enviously lurking
>
>
> http://www.stewartcomponents.com/dual_drive_pumps.htm
>

 

[roger black]

Travis,
GM has the radiators they now build of aluminum on their website. There are
two for replacement and they claim better cooling with the new ones and
other things like weight savings, corrosion protection, etc. Will check and
see if I can find the spot again.

Roger

 

[travis martin]

> Don -- be careful with #2 above. Note that they say "We recommend using a
> radiator cap with the highest pressure rating that the radiator is
designed
> to accept. ". The GMC was not designed for NASCAR. The GMC radiator is
> designed to accept a 9# cap. If you use a higher pressure cap you'll
find
> that the constant swelling and then shrinking of the radiator will cause
it
> to crack.
>
> You probably won't find a 9# cap at a NAPA, AutoZone, Pep Boys, Checker,
etc.
> You can order them from AC/GM. RC32 GM part no: 6410619. Just under
$10.

I wonder if it would be worthwhile to investigate having a better radiator
made for the GMC? Perhaps an aluminum design? Or maybe there is already a
superior radiator available off-the-shelf for another application,
presumably a truck?

If I understood what I read, there is considerable advantage to raising the
system pressure and modern radiator designs are considerably more efficient.

The Stewart site is one of the most informative that I have seen in quite a
while.

Travis in Lubbock, Texas

 

[chuck will]

Hi.. I have a thirteen pound cap that was put on when the engine was
installed. Tom checked about a dozen caps from NAPA to get one to hold at 9
pounds. Emry checked 22 at the Balloon Festival, 2 were good, mine and ......
Maybe you can check out the pressure before you purchase. Chuck

> > Don -- be careful with #2 above. Note that they say "We recommend using a
> > radiator cap with the highest pressure rating that the radiator is
> designed
> > to accept. ". The GMC was not designed for NASCAR. The GMC radiator is
> > designed to accept a 9# cap. If you use a higher pressure cap you'll
> find
> > that the constant swelling and then shrinking of the radiator will cause
> it
> > to crack.
> >
> > You probably won't find a 9# cap at a NAPA, AutoZone, Pep Boys, Checker,
> etc.
> > You can order them from AC/GM. RC32 GM part no: 6410619. Just under
> $10.
>
> I wonder if it would be worthwhile to investigate having a better radiator
> made for the GMC? Perhaps an aluminum design? Or maybe there is already a
> superior radiator available off-the-shelf for another application,
> presumably a truck?
>
> If I understood what I read, there is considerable advantage to raising the
> system pressure and modern radiator designs are considerably more efficient.
>
> The Stewart site is one of the most informative that I have seen in quite a
> while.
>
> Travis in Lubbock, Texas

 

[donald w. miller]

[Admin note - "Bounced" over 10,000 characters. Don, be sure to
trim your quotes especially on these long messages. Thanks, Patrick]

Hi Travis,

Someone once mentioned using a late model Chevvy 454 truck radiator.

About a year ago I replaced my radiator core after it developed a leak.

I installed an estimated 40% greater radiator capacity primarily because
I wanted to use electric fans and eliminate the troublesome fan clutch.
My core was more expensive than a standard replacement.

Aluminum radiators are available and less weight is attractive but I was
not able to find one the proper size with two internal oil coolers.

I wanted to retain the internal transmission and engine oil coolers so
we selected a high quality brass replacement core to use with the internal
oil coolers from the old radiator. A good quality BM external transmission
oil cooler was installed too.

I passed along to the net what I learned during my search for this improved
replacement radiator core. It is in the GMCnet archives thread titled
"Radiators 101" starting around 12/8/98.

With new cores and hoses, I can increase pressure to prevent coolant
boiling if it becomes necessary.

Anyway, for those who want NASCAR or perhaps even NASA performance, it
is available for a price.

Emery points out one of the problems which can occur when you fail to
take something into account and wind up with an improperly engineered
system. The weakest link in the chain will be found. In this case it
sounds like you better not put 30 lbs. pressure on a 9 lb. radiator.

Sometimes good ideas fail and are rejected because a total systems
approach is not used. Someone will say "that has been tried and it didn't
work" when maybe they should be saying "that was tried but he didn't follow
through adequately."

Arch and Patrick have me drooling for a set of those Mondello/Edelbrock
aluminum heads. They reduce hot spots which would seem to make coolant
flow rate less critical. Other benefits too.

Are these aluminum heads a total win situation or will there be some
trade offs ?

Don Miller
75 project
Shenandoah Valley of Virginia