440 Cooling Question “Champion Rad”

[RustyRatRod]

It looked pretty blanket to me! Hahahhaha

As I've said now three times, it was not.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Get a cold case radiator with two cores.

Skip the electric fans. If you are dead set on electric fans don’t use that shitty “shroud” that isn’t a shroud at all.

You are better off with the electric fans and no “shroud” than using one of those things.

Yeah that is IF he can get in touch with them. Good luck with THAT and then HOPE LIKE HELL you don't have an issue with it.

 

[Skeeter007]

It looked pretty blanket to me

So far, no one is arguing. If you're looking for someone to powder you butt, tell you a bedtime story and tuck you in, that ain't gonna happen. If you're lookin for good advice, you've come to the right place.

So here's the skinny about Champion and ANY other "bargain" type radiators. They're a crap shoot. Most of them do pretty good. But they do have a fairly high rate of ill fitting, don't cool worth crap or just don't fit at all, so be warned. Having said that, I have one in my 64 Valiant. It cools GREAT. The fit could certainly be better. I didn't have to modify anything, it just fits VERY tight, because the side brackets are welded in in such a way that they position the core closer to the engine than they should and that takes away valuable space A bodies need. Especially early A bodies. But yeah, if you get a Champion, or any other import radiator, you'll likely get one that'll work. The odds are in your favor.

Since you're looking for something that's an "easy drop in solution that won’t have to trialed and errored and sent back", your words, I'd NOT look at a 26" radiator. That Be Cool unit, while more pricey will cool a Sherman Tank with two rows of big tubes. That's about as optimal design as you can get.

Lastly, before you ASSUME someone is talking about YOU, read and comprehend what they wrote. I have no problem pointing YOU if I mean to. I did not. I said "some of these guys" or some such, which does not indicate YOU, because you have not proven you're not listening. Yet. If you're looking for a more concrete answer than I've given about import radiators, you won't get one and if you do, it will be incorrect. The best anyone can offer is "Yeah, they'll "probably" work good", as most do, just remember that word "MOST". Good luck with your choice.

Thanks for tucking me in Rusty.

The Be Cool unit with the big tubes is definitely on the radar. If Champion is not desired I have no problem skipping over to Be Cool. Are you saying not to grab the 26? Reasons?

What you wrote up top in the middle would’ve been heck of a better way to start. Apologies if I hit a nerve. I’ve run into all types of people that live on a high horses and dole out information and slights. You’re a pretty darn active member here and folks definitely look up to you and the knowledge you have. Me I like to save a buck, modify stuff and call it my own. While at the same time having good conversations with my mopar friends. This whole thread was based on a Champion referral to those that used this brand. Now that tons of options have been laid out and none for Champion I’ll call Be Cool and get a tech to chime in. I like the Sherman Tank reference.

Thanks again

 

[Skeeter007]

As I've said now three times, it was not.

My wife says I’m a four times being told something before it sinks in. We’re almost there.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Thanks for tucking me in Rusty.

The Be Cool unit with the big tubes is definitely on the radar. If Champion is not desired I have no problem skipping over to Be Cool. Are you saying not to grab the 26? Reasons?

What you wrote up top in the middle would’ve been heck of a better way to start. Apologies if I hit a nerve. I’ve run into all types of people that live on a high horses and dole out information and slights. You’re a pretty darn active member here and folks definitely look up to you and the knowledge you have. Me I like to save a buck, modify stuff and call it my own. While at the same time having good conversations with my mopar friends. This whole thread was based on a Champion referral to those that used this brand. Now that tons of options have been laid out and none for Champion I’ll call Be Cool and get a tech to chime in. I like the Sherman Tank reference.

Thanks again

View attachment 1716492559

I'm just not a fan of having to modify the CAR to get a radiator that'll "WORK" when there are PLENTY out there that will fit and cool properly. It's a personal preference. If you wanna cut on your car, feel free, but it's unnecessary.

 

[RustyRatRod]

My wife says I’m a four times being told something before it sinks in. We’re almost there.

I have over fifty people on my ignore list. We're almost there, too. lol

 

[Skeeter007]

Thanks for tucking me in Rusty.

The Be Cool unit with the big tubes is definitely on the radar. If Champion is not desired I have no problem skipping over to Be Cool. Are you saying not to grab the 26? Reasons?

What you wrote up top in the middle would’ve been heck of a better way to start. Apologies if I hit a nerve. I’ve run into all types of people that live on a high horses and dole out information and slights. You’re a pretty darn active member here and folks definitely look up to you and the knowledge you have. Me I like to save a buck, modify stuff and call it my own. While at the same time having good conversations with my mopar friends. This whole thread was based on a Champion referral to those that used this brand. Now that tons of options have been laid out and none for Champion I’ll call Be Cool and Cold Case and get a tech to chime in. I like the Sherman Tank reference.

Thanks again

View attachment 1716492559

 

[Skeeter007]

Get a cold case radiator with two cores.

Skip the electric fans. If you are dead set on electric fans don’t use that shitty “shroud” that isn’t a shroud at all.

You are better off with the electric fans and no “shroud” than using one of those things.

Thanks for the advice. I’ll talk to Cold Case on Monday. Also Be Cool. Two row large pipes. I’m curious on the no shroud with the fans. Could you elaborate?

 

[RustyRatRod]

The horse I ride scrubs along the ground. I'm probably one of the most humble people you'll ever meet and I say it all the time. What I know fits on the head of a pin with room left over.

 

[Skeeter007]

I have over fifty people on my ignore list. We're almost there, too. lol

I have over fifty people on my ignore list. We're almost there, too. lol

lol

 

[RustyRatRod]

Thanks for the advice. I’ll talk to Cold Case on Monday. Also Be Cool. Two row large pipes. I’m curious on the no shroud with the fans. Could you elaborate?

I hope you do get hold of them. I'll just leave it right there.

 

[Skeeter007]

The horse I ride scrubs along the ground. I'm probably one of the most humble people you'll ever meet and I say it all the time. What I know fits on the head of a pin with room left over.

I’ll stop immediately from reading your response in an angry tone. Lol

Me I have a bad habit of poking.

 

[Skeeter007]

I hope you do get hold of them. I'll just leave it right there.

I got a hold of Cold Case once. But I needed more info before pulling the trigger. Chamber loaded, saws all ready to go.

 

[RustyRatRod]

I’ll stop immediately from reading your response in an angry tone. Lol

Me I have a bad habit of poking.

That's good, cause I don't get angry anymore. I just stop responding. That's when you know you're on the list. lol I don't do it because I think "I'm somebody", but just the opposite. I'm a nobody and I want to keep it that way. My ignore list is good for my health. It keeps my blood pressure down.

 

[RustyRatRod]

I got a hold of Cold Case once. But I needed more info before pulling the trigger. Chamber loaded, saws all ready to go.

I have a long sordid story about them, but I'll wait and see if you get them first. lol You may wanna hear it before you pull the trigger though.

 

[Skeeter007]

I have a long sordid story about them, but I'll wait and see if you get them first. lol You may wanna hear it before you pull the trigger though.

I’m all ears.

Every time I go to Be Cool my wallet cry’s and my wife looks at me weirdly.

 

[Skeeter007]

That's good, cause I don't get angry anymore. I just stop responding. That's when you know you're on the list. lol I don't do it because I think "I'm somebody", but just the opposite. I'm a nobody and I want to keep it that way. My ignore list is good for my health. It keeps my blood pressure down.

Haahaha

 

[Skeeter007]

Ok as I look over at Cold Case I found this option. It’s a single fan though. Inlet and outlet are where they need to be. No mention on pipe thickness. Small amp draw. That could be concerning. But a nice ce small package.

Price is decent and the wife isn’t looking. at me.




68-73 B,C,E Body 16x22 Manual Aluminum Performance Radiator

 

[mopowers]

Take plenty of careful measurements if you're looking into a cold case radiator (or any radiator for that matter). Some have mounting brackets that position the core pretty far back from the core support. So when you see their measurement for core thickness, that doesn't tell the whole story.

 

[RustyRatRod]

I’m all ears.

Every time I go to Be Cool my wallet cry’s and my wife looks at me weirdly.

Here you bees. I'm too lazy to type it all out again. None of that is an exaggeration at all.

Post in thread 'Champion radiator for ~500hp small block??'

Nov 29, 2025

Why is that?

I sometimes help a friend who owns a high end restoration shop in this county. When I say high end, I mean it. I'm talking about 150K plus builds. The guy is good. We had three different vehicles he ordered Cold Case radiators for. Two 62 Corvettes and a 69 Mustang. None of the radiators fit. Not even close. They were the correct numbers for the application. The Corvette radiators have "nubs" on the bottom tank that fit into holes in the very front cross member. The nubs on both radiators weren't even close to being spaced right to fit. Matt called and they told him...

• RustyRatRod

 

[RustyRatRod]

Ok as I look over at Cold Case I found this option. It’s a single fan though. Inlet and outlet are where they need to be. No mention on pipe thickness. Small amp draw. That could be concerning. But a nice ce small package.

Price is decent and the wife isn’t looking. at me.




68-73 B,C,E Body 16x22 Manual Aluminum Performance Radiator

View attachment 1716492562

I THINK they sell a god product IF IT'LL FIT. But good luck with service after the sale.

 

[Skeeter007]

Here you bees. I'm too lazy to type it all out again. None of that is an exaggeration at all.

Post in thread 'Champion radiator for ~500hp small block??'

Nov 29, 2025

Why is that?

I sometimes help a friend who owns a high end restoration shop in this county. When I say high end, I mean it. I'm talking about 150K plus builds. The guy is good. We had three different vehicles he ordered Cold Case radiators for. Two 62 Corvettes and a 69 Mustang. None of the radiators fit. Not even close. They were the correct numbers for the application. The Corvette radiators have "nubs" on the bottom tank that fit into holes in the very front cross member. The nubs on both radiators weren't even close to being spaced right to fit. Matt called and they told him...

• RustyRatRod

Oh boy. It’s that attention to detail that scares me from the aftermarket. Not just the rads but everything. Thankfully there’s nothing proper about my Scamp. It’s all wrong. And I’m not even joking. I’m sure at some point a Chevy guy owned it. It’s got a black engine compartment. lol.

 

[Skeeter007]

I THINK they sell a god product IF IT'LL FIT. But good luck with service after the sale.

I’m up in Canada. The moment it crosses the border I’m on my own for most purchases.

 

[Heywodja]

Champion is a downvote from me...

 

[Skeeter007]

Champion is a downvote from me...

Looks like I’m on my way over to Cold Case.