Aluminum Champion radiators

Yeah, it is!

Especially with a little blow dryer attached to it. :-)

lol

Thanks Keith - I didn't know if you had your engine in or not.

lol

I know what you mean. My mechanic keeps trying to convince me to throw a 350 in there and be done with it.

Alright! Just ordered my 1649 from Jegs. Can't wait to get it. Thanks for the information everyone!

All you guys gettin' aluminum radiators are making me jelly!

Any updates on the install Chris?!

Josh,

Still nothing man.  Car is down at my buddy's shop to get trans tunnel and driveshaft tunnel raised for the TH350 and get the hot side of the turbo made.  Today marks the 1 month anniversary since I took it down there.  Nothing has been done to it.  

We have been working on my other buddy's 52 Styleline to get it up and ready for season but I am still bent that no work on mine has been started on it yet.

No that 52 is done, we should be starting on that within the next couple days... I hope.

Just remember slow and steady wins the race! You'll get there.

Yeah, I know. My plan was to have this car up and running for the family and I to enjoy it by this summer.

Still have A LOT of work to do.

lol

I have had mine since 2011. Was planning on getting it up and running to enjoy by like 2013. Well, hasn't happened. I thought many of times to just sell it off and get something else. Thing is, the lines on these cars are so bad ass, I can't.

lol

Keith,

Definitely hear where you are coming from Keith. I bought this car with hopes to have something to tool around in with the family since my son was only 18 months at the time and I couldn't physically get a car seat into my Grand National. (Damn roll cage)

Fast forward to 2016. My son is going to be 6 this year and before I know it, will be out of the car seat and able to ride in the GN.

I am not a patient person when it comes to finishing a car. I want to get it done as soon as possible so that I can enjoy it. Not a good trait to have, but I have it nonetheless.

Would love to see some pics of your car to see your progress!

Chris

I have had my radiator since last week. I started fabricating the mounts yesterday. With some luck I should have my radiator in and operational by the end of this weekend. I will keep you guys posted.

Bill wrote:I have had my radiator since last week. I started fabricating the mounts yesterday. With some luck I should have my radiator in and operational by the end of this weekend. I will keep you guys posted.

Hell yeah dood! Can't wait to see what you guys end up with -- if it doesn't involve any mods that can't be undone I'll be next!

Bill,

You are probably going to beat me to it. Car is at a stand still right now. Hoping to get back on it soon.

Looking forward to it pal!

lol

Ok - Fabbed up the mounts and got the radiator in over the weekend. I just used the original mounts and cut off one tab and made a new tab using some flat metal stock. Unfortunately I don't have pics of that, but I will get some for you, Keith. What I do have is the pics of it in the car. The hood shuts fine, but I know I am riding higher than the original. I am, however, running into issues with the hoses.

I picked up a Dayco 84191. I was at autozone and didn't bring the original with me, which I should have. This was the only 90 degree bend flex hose they had in stock. At 23 13/16 inches, it is wayyyyyy too long. I called them and they have Dayco 84190, which is 16 7/8 inches long, and will hopefully fit. Keith, I was able to get the 1.5 over the 1.75 outlet. I am not sure I like it, but from what I am seeing there is no alternative.

Dayco's website shows only 3 radiator hoses with 90 degree bends. all are 1.5 inch. Gates, the manufacturer that O'reilly's uses, doesn't even sell 90 degree bend flex hose.

I am going to call Champion tomorrow and see what they say. They have some fancy stainless lines, but those do not look like they would make the bend needed to not hit the generator. I will pick up the other hose in the next couple of days and report back what I find.

Also, in the pics you guys will see my air cleaner. Obviously it needs to be redone. I don't typically see them in the color combo I have. Does anyone else have this color air cleaner? It reminds me of almost a silverleaf type finish as it has a rough texture to it. I doubt I will be able to reproduce it.

Sorry - I am a big tease. Pics will have to wait til tomorrow. My work PC won't let me upload and I can't seem to upload from my phone either.

If and when you get pics of the air cleaner I maybe able to steer you in the right direction.

As for the hoses, you could always go to a 1.75" hose and then use a pc of 1.5" inside it to bush down , that's how the spectre flex hoses work. Maybe that will open up some additional hoses for you. Just a thought.

lol

Yep - definitely different. That stinks. It would be a heck of a lot easier with that neck turned like that. Ug - wonder why they changed it?

I did see that but never made the connection Keith. Not too sure why they did that.

Bill, so it definitely clears the hood then? I know Keith said it clears his as well so that's 2 hoods. Both of you guys have a 63, correct?

My concern is that the 61-62 kinda has that downward sloped to the nose. I still have yet to get mine installed in yet. The rad sticks up about 2.5 inches from the top of rad support and I am really concerned that its gonna hit the hood. I need to just "bungy" it in there and lay the hood down and see if it clears.