Posted by Dan O'Day on October 16, 1999 at 21:38:43:
In Reply to: Re: Power Wagon rePower by Dan O'Day posted by casebro on October 15, 1999 at 20:02:38:
casebro,
I am using the original(non-pressureized) radiator with no modifications. It looked to be in good shape and I did flush it out myself. The problem with my set-up was that with the v-8 motor, the largest fan I could run was 15"(due to the lower radiator hose). This fan also "missed" about 1/4 of its coverage area in that it mounts so low, the bottom of swing of the fan wasn't behind radiator core but rather, lower tank.
I have since installed a "water pump riser" that I got from Vintage Air. This is an aluminum casting that bolts on in place of the original chev short pump and raises the fan centerline up 5 1/2". It uses a high vomume six cylinder chev water pump. I now have an 18 1/4 six bladed fan with a 2" pitch. (1" foreward and 1" back).
I started it recently and the temp rose to 200`, the t-stat opened and it dropped to 180` and stayed there. I believe this is the ideal set-up for anyone doing a(chev) repower. This product was developed for the street rodders who have been installing v-8s in similar vehicles with tall radiators like our Dodges. Vintage Air is a supplier of aftermarket air conditioning (which I plan to install. In fact I have mounted the compressor while I had the radiator off).They have a website- I believe it is www.vintageair.com .They have an excellent catalogue that you can request online.
NB all of my testing has been done "at standstill" with no foreward motion as I am not ready with brakes, rear end, etc.
Dan