Radiator suggestions
Again I have to disagree, I could have all the coolant flow in the world but no fins (as in only the surface area of the tubes to transfer heat) and I'm not going to transfer much heat from the coolant to the air.
Air cooled engines have no coolant flow (no coolant) but they have a huge surface area due to the fins on the cyl walls and head.
Not one single thing is more important in radiator design. It is a package and a dance between (no particular order) coolant flow, contact area, fin count, material, tube size and count, etc.
Still waiting on the OP to post up some photos of his current setup.
Not trying to sidetrack this, but I think this is a relevant argument. Tell me using
@Rat Bastid's example you disagreed with, how three rows of .75 tubes can out cool two rows of 1" tubes. That's a full 1/2" more of tubes (2") versus 1.5". Also of note is, he used that as but an example. Most two row aluminum radiators (the good ones anyway) use either 1.25" or 1.5" tubes, so that's even more cooling ability.
Regardless, he is correct about coolant flow, as that's what's important. Getting the coolant out of the engine as quickly as possible so it does not heat up. I have proven him correct in that through my own experiences first hand.
If the radiator is up to task, and I see no reason why it wouldn't be, then he should be looking at coolant flow. IMO, he should optimize that
first as for one, it will be much, much more cost effective and two, a new radiator may not solve his issue.
@MoparDave, have you put an infra red temp gun on the radiator inlet and then the outlet to see the temperature drop of the coolant from coming into the radiator to going out? That right there will tell you how good the radiator is working. A new 160 high flow thermostat is way cheaper than a new radiator if you don't have that already. That does two things. First, it opens sooner which allows the coolant to get out before the engine gets any hotter. Secondly the high flow feature allows more of the coolant to leave the engine more quickly than a standard flow. And I don't mean one of those junky Mr. Gasket thermostats, either. You need a Stewart Components 160 high flow thermostat. They are the best you can get. I would try that well before I thought about another radiator. Only after I did those things and the radiator was still not doing the job would I replace it. I think doing it beforehand is premature. All this of course is one peon's opinion, but it's based in the reality of me solving my problem just as I outlined here. Good luck!
