Need a radiator solution for a 69 dart

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glhx

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My 69 dart has no radiator, fan or shroud.

I’ve been looking at a champion cooling direct fit. With a new shroud from classic industries.

If I can get a good used radiator, fan and shroud from a 69 dart. That would be nice

Any suggestions would be good. I’m on a tight budget so I’m not looking for something that’s going to run $1000
 
Get a hd /ac cooling factory copper brass rad.
Or OEM style copper brass

Us radiator has many OEM style options

And factory fan and shroud.

You will not be sorry.



Search for "overheating" on FABO. The majority of issues start with "aluminum" and "electric fans"
 
This one won’t work.
The 69 318 has the lower on the drivers side and the upper on the drivers side. It looks like this

View attachment 1716431847
I just looked again, and they don't have any in stock with 'Driver/Driver'.

That looks like a decent price for the Jegs one.....................
 
The issue with aluminum radiators is they don't have any shroud mounting and if they do they space the shroud way from the radiator, so you have to fill those gaps to get the most out of the shroud. Second is they are thickener than the stock copper radiator, so fan spacing could change.

I have a Cold Case in my car (I have a 70-up water pump, cover and damper) and it came with all the issues above but is a good cooling unit but they cost a bit more than Champion.
 
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The issue with aluminum radiators is they don't have any shroud mounting and if they do they space the shroud way from the radiator, so you have to fill those gaps to get the most out of the shroud. Second is they are thickener than the stock copper radiator, so fan spacing could change.

I have a Cold Case in my car (I'm have a 70-up water pump, cover and damper) and it came with all the issues above but is a good cooling unit but they cost a bit more than Champion.
It looks like that champion has provisions for the factory shroud.
But I’m not sure

I looked at US Radiator and they are around $800.
I was hoping to get this fixed close to factory for around $400-$500
 
I have a cold case radiator and it has worked well in Las Vegas, Nevada desert heat and has worked well in SW Missouri Humid Heat.

I’m sure you’d be fine with any of the less expensive 2-3 row champion with stock fan, stock fan clutch and shroud. The stock shrouds can get a little pricey though.
 
The only advice I have is be CAREFUL with aftermarket aluminum radiators. A lot....and I mean a LOT of them are made with the side brackets welded too far forward on the core and that throws the radiator back toward the engine, robbing precious space our A bodies cannot afford to give up.
 
It looks like that champion has provisions for the factory shroud.
But I’m not sure

I looked at US Radiator and they are around $800.
I was hoping to get this fixed close to factory for around $400-$500
Yes, they can have them, but they are further away from the radiator that the stock location. Add what Rusty said with a thicker core that almost all of the aluminum radiators have, be prepared for fan fitment issues which can be cover came with a different spacer and/or fan combo.
 
It looks like that champion has provisions for the factory shroud.
But I’m not sure

I looked at US Radiator and they are around $800.
I was hoping to get this fixed close to factory for around $400-$500
i hate to rain on your parade, but that's a big ask at that kinda money.

your best bet would be to find a used radiator on CL/market/etc and hope it's good (have it pressure tested) and then run with a factory shroud and fan (clutch or otherwise).

you can adapt later 26" radiators to fit but that's a bit more involved and ultimately would wind up being the same price.
 
So I would do the best with this one if I want closer to factory correct.

And this one should fit a stock shroud.
It’s $800

Plus a shroud from classic industries at $165

IMG_3340.png
 
here's another option that is slightly cheaper


then scoop up the shroud from classic or mancini

then outfit it with a big clutch fan.

fwiw, this is basically what i've run for the better part of 30 years-- stock 22" 3 core, shroud and the MP viscous fan package (you can piece together a 18" fan and clutch these days).

to note, i do run a flowkooler pump.

one aspect to be aware of is waterpump (6 blade or 8 blade) and pulley sizes matter.

remember it's designed as a system. it all needs to work together for the best result.
 
here's another option that is slightly cheaper

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then scoop up the shroud from classic or mancini

then outfit it with a big clutch fan.

fwiw, this is basically what i've run for the better part of 30 years-- stock 22" 3 core, shroud and the MP viscous fan package (you can piece together a 18" fan and clutch these days).

to note, i do run a flowkooler pump.

one aspect to be aware of is waterpump (6 blade or 8 blade) and pulley sizes matter.

remember it's designed as a system. it all needs to work together for the best result.
I run exact sane setup as you, 22" 3 core, shroud, MP viscous fan package, and flowcooler water pump. I can sit still idle with AC on in 100 degree heat with no rise in engine temps.
 
here's another option that is slightly cheaper

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then scoop up the shroud from classic or mancini

then outfit it with a big clutch fan.

fwiw, this is basically what i've run for the better part of 30 years-- stock 22" 3 core, shroud and the MP viscous fan package (you can piece together a 18" fan and clutch these days).

to note, i do run a flowkooler pump.

one aspect to be aware of is waterpump (6 blade or 8 blade) and pulley sizes matter.

remember it's designed as a system. it all needs to work together for the best result.
This is what I want. Stock radiator with a stock shroud and a clutch fan.

I do have the stock non ac pulley for 69 and a stock 69 water pump. Probably the 6 blade.
I’m not opposed to 8 blade. If I can’t get into the $500 range I might as well go with all the right parts and get this thing back to close to stock.

I’ll go with the Mancini link and buy that one.

Can you get me a link to the fan or any of these parts. I need Info on the fan and clutch.
Can you provide part numbers for those 2. I saw that everyone wants a 5 blade.

The only shroud I found was the classic industries AC version.
What is the difference between the AC and the non Ac shroud.
Will the AC version work for me.

As far as flow cooler water pump. I don’t think they make one for 69. It would be nice to get a decent water pump.

Right now this car has a radiator out of a duster. I’m trying to get it all back to stock year parts and the stock look. The 68 water pump is coming out of the driver side and has a welded set of pipes going to the passenger side.

IMG_4343.png


IMG_4344.jpeg


IMG_4345.png
 
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This is what I want. Stock radiator with a stock shroud and a clutch fan.

I do have the stock non ac pulley for 69 and a stock 69 water pump. Probably the 6 blade.
I’m not opposed to 8 blade. If I can’t get into the $500 range I might as well go with all the right parts and get this thing back to close to stock.

I’ll go with the Mancini link and buy that one.

Can you get me a link to the fan or any of these parts. I need Info on the fan and clutch.
Can you provide part numbers for those 2. I saw that everyone wants a 5 blade.

The only shroud I found was the classic industries AC version.
What is the difference between the AC and the non Ac shroud.
Will the AC version work for me.

As far as flow cooler water pump. I don’t think they make one for 69. It would be nice to get a decent water pump.

Right now this car has a radiator out of a duster. I’m trying to get it all back to stock year parts and the stock look. The 68 water pump is coming out of the driver side and has a welded set of pipes going to the passenger side.

View attachment 1716432688

View attachment 1716432692

View attachment 1716432693
1. You're going to need a short fan clutch.

2. I bought my fan shroud from Mancini and it warped and cracked. I would ask if they know if they still do that or not.

Get a fan with a lot of pitch (216 has 2-1/2" pitch IIRC). All 7 blade fans are not created equal. Pitch makes a difference.
 

500 is going to be extremely hard with new, good quality components. i'm not saying it can't be done, but you'll need to be selective and shop around.

you could try something like this move:


and then adapt a shroud as shown here:

Cold Case Radiator Shroud?

fans come up here frequently, clutches can be had reasonably from rock or napa, etc. so there's not really a need to splash the pot with a resto fan package unless you just want to press the easy button. if you have junkyards near by, you can generally scrounge up most of the bits.

but getting a good, efficient radiator is the king pin to the whole operation. spend that big chunk of change wisely.
 
I’m not doing $500 anymore. I won’t get the results for that.
I’ve decided to move that up to $1000-1200 something that’s going to solve the parts problem. After looking at it. Id rather have decent close to factory parts than have to fabricate or rig something up and have to go back in there and mess with it again. Do a 1 and done.

I’m going to go with the triple core oer radiator and try to get as close to the factory as I can, which is that one above. I think it’s around $700

So I’ll get whatever fan you guys recommend, shroud, and viscous clutch. Used or new doesn’t matter

I’d like to run the same set up you run. Building off of the stock water pump and pulley.

I need to replace the heater core and the blower motor as well and try to fit that in the new budget.

Which fan part numbers , shroud, and clutch should I go with? to get this to all match up and I’ll just buy that for whatever it costs.
 
1. You're going to need a short fan clutch.
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2. I bought my fan shroud from Mancini and it warped and cracked. I would ask if they know if they still do that or not.

Get a fan with a lot of pitch (216 has 2-1/2" pitch IIRC). All 7 blade fans are not created equal. Pitch makes a difference.
Honestly I don’t know anything about fans yet. Is there a used or new part number that’s better than others?

How long ago did you buy that shroud. I would suspect that should have lasted the life of the car for the price they want.

Can you have a non ac car with an ac shroud.?
 
This can be done cheaply if you don't care about originality and have some resourcefulness. After some messing around, my cooling system was a total of under 250 bucks and doesn't go a degree over 185 in summer LA traffic.


'69 B body 4 core radiator from offerup $100
Standard replacement water pump $70
Junkyard fan $30
Rad hoses $30
Coolant $20


Took some fiddling with and frustration, I will admit. But this stuff does not have to cost very much.

I'm also (allegedly) retarded and masochistic so this is how I do things. Spending more money will make your life easier but it is not necessary.
 
my cooling system was a total of under 250 bucks

'69 B body 4 core radiator from offerup $100
Standard replacement water pump $70
Junkyardhero's fan of awesomeness cadged from inventory $30 traded for a questionable clutch fan that is a spider hotel

**one amazing super special pulley that was the ratio that you needed** (also lifted from inventory)

Rad hoses $30
Coolant $20


Took some fiddling with and frustration, I will admit. But this stuff does not have to cost very much.

I'm also (allegedly) retarded and masochistic so this is how I do things. Spending more money will make your life easier but it is not necessary.

ftfy

also can confirm on that last part there, you're a glutton for punishment! ;D
 
Honestly I don’t know anything about fans yet. Is there a used or new part number that’s better than others?

How long ago did you buy that shroud. I would suspect that should have lasted the life of the car for the price they want.

Can you have a non ac car with an ac shroud.?
I bought a 216 fan. 216 is the last 3 numbers of the part number, that is stamped into the blades. They were all over ebay; I found mine here. Shipping is crazy, they're shaped so they measure like a big package.

As for the short clutch I mentioned - you might double check that because I wasn't aware the cast iron water pump allows for a taller part. The short clutch is definitely needed for the aluminum pump.

I bought that shroud 3 seasons ago. I was kind of pissed to be honest. There is a place where it had been plastic welded. I decided to just keep it because I didn't expect the next one to be any better. Then I left it sitting on a shelf for a while and when I went to reinstall it, it was warped. I'll just live with it instead of busting out the wallet to be disappointed again.

I don't see why a shroud off an A/C car would make a difference if it fits. The only difference I see in the 68 parts book for an A-body shroud is slant-6 vs V8. (edited to add the same is true for the 70-71 parts book)
 
I have a Cold Case in my '69, with a clutch style fan, but, you have to use the cast iron water pump. So choose the correct radiator. No problem with mounting a shroud. No cooling issues either.
 
I have a Cold Case in my '69, with a clutch style fan, but, you have to use the cast iron water pump. So choose the correct radiator. No problem with mounting a shroud. No cooling issues either.
which cold case are you running and with what shroud?
 
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