Champion Cooling Systems Radiator

[spuriouspseudo]

Hey all, just wanted to start a thread with my path to installing a Champion Cooling Systems rad.  Bought off ebay.

 

I'll post my follow ups here, too.

 

 

[rcf925]

I put in a Champion last year, Didn't have to change anything, Bolted right in with a 12" pusher fan on front, Car stays cool below midway on temp gauge, Rarely have to turn fan on

 

[Mike Self]

It appears that the radiator doesn't have a drain cock, or am I missing it in the picture.  Otherwise looks very stock and original.  

 

mike

[AceAndrew]

You don't need to pay tarrifs on classic car parts shipped to Canada.   Neat video, thanks for putting in the effort.

[spuriouspseudo]

7 hours ago, rcf925 said:

Bolted right in

 

Yeah, it's the top plate on the frame rails that mine fouls on.  It's close, could probably be made to work, but I'd rather just reposition to get some clearance.  My chassis is actually a late '67 1600 - maybe that's got something to do with it.  Still very happy with the rad.

 

Your bay looks really nice - pretty much one of the reasons I decided to try the Champion rad.

 

6 hours ago, Mike Self said:

It appears that the radiator doesn't have a drain cock

My original unit has a drain in the side, but it's pretty messed up.  New unit has no drains, but it looks like the single core model does.

 

6 hours ago, AceAndrew said:

You don't need to pay tarrifs

Thanks! great info...  I'll be putting this to use.  I find in Canada, especially when you don't have your own broker it gets rough ensuring that everything is done properly.  I've gone as far as importing myself; I'm lucky enough to be near a customs office, but then I'll still get a secondary bill from the courier that becomes a nightmare.  Aluminum in particular has been catching the wrong kind of attention lately.

 

[cagedbunny]

On 10/29/2020 at 11:11 AM, rcf925 said:

Bolted right in with a 12" pusher fan on front

 

 

 

How did you fit the rad and fan into the car?  I have the same radiator, but there is almost no room between it and the water pump pulley, so I couldn't *tilt* the radiator into place with a fan attached on the front..  Was about to fabricate some brackets to hold the fan directly to the nose of the car instead.

[rcf925]

27 minutes ago, cagedbunny said:

 

 

How did you fit the rad and fan into the car?  I have the same radiator, but there is almost no room between it and the water pump pulley, so I couldn't *tilt* the radiator into place with a fan attached on the front..  Was about to fabricate some brackets to hold the fan directly to the nose of the car instead.

 

Mine is a 68 2002, I attached Fan to front of Radiator first, Then  just angled it in, wasn't difficult and have about a inch clearance from water pump to radiator

Edited October 30, 2020 by rcf925

[AceAndrew]

You line up a dozen 2002's, and you'll literally have 12 different engine-to-radiator clearance variations.  Even with virgin untouched cars.

[spuriouspseudo]

23 hours ago, AceAndrew said:

12 different engine-to-radiator clearance variations

 

Thanks for sharing that knowledge!

 

On 10/30/2020 at 12:02 PM, rcf925 said:

and have about a inch

Crazy, I might be lucky to get 1/4", maybe 3/8" - working on getting the fan mocked up this weekend.

 

[200Duece]

On 10/30/2020 at 9:02 AM, rcf925 said:

 

Mine is a 68 2002, I attached Fan to front of Radiator first, Then  just angled it in, wasn't difficult and have about a inch clearance from water pump to radiator

The radiator you installed, 2 row or 3 row ?

[rcf925]

15 hours ago, 200Duece said:

The radiator you installed, 2 row or 3 row ?

Pretty sure it's a 2 row

[spuriouspseudo]

 

Got the Rad and Fan installed.  Looking sharp!

 

[RoccoGilroy]

On 10/29/2020 at 8:11 AM, rcf925 said:

I put in a Champion last year, Didn't have to change anything, Bolted right in with a 12" pusher fan on front, Car stays cool below midway on temp gauge, Rarely have to turn fan on

 

kinda late but I’m tempted by these champion rads. Did you get a 2 or 3 core unit? eBay or other source? Thanks!!!

[MattL]

For anyone looking into the Champion radiators, the 3-row version is 2.5” deep, measured across the top tank. The core itself sits about 1/8” shy of that mark.
 

I’m hoping I can loosen the various mounts and nudge the motor/driveline back enough to clear, but right now it hits the pulley, even with the fan removed.

 

(I had watched Spurious’ awesome videos re his 2-row, but as those weren’t in stock I took a gamble on the 3.)

[jimk]

Keep in mind that someday the fan belt has to be changed. Got room for that, cus (intentiional) it happens out away from home.

Edited August 14, 2022 by jimk