Proven Aluminum Radiators, which to buy?

What heavy duty aluminum radiators have you installed in your Mavericks? I'm talking take it out of the box and it pretty much installs with with very minimal modifications. I have tried a few universals and can't seem to get a good fit. They are either too tall, too wide, or too thick.

I prefer a manual type because I will be using a heavier duty trans cooler instead of the built in ones on automatics. (Unless I can just cap off the built in cooler holes on an automatic radiator)

What about these Champion ones I found? Will they just fit right into my Maverick?

I will need something that will hold up to 500hp.

 

I just installed one of champions 3 core radiators. The drain spout will not function due to placement but thats not a huge deal. The only other thing I had to do was trim one spot bout 1/8 inch to get it to clear. They make very nice radiators

 

Is this the one you got, Static?

http://www.championradiators.net/ford-maverick-3-row-aluminum-radiator-1971-1977/

Trimming the spout is no big deal. Just as long as the radiator actually fits in there, bolts up properly and is short enough that the hood shuts.

 

Yes. That is the one. I got mine with the matching shroud and E fan. I dont think the Taurus fan would have fit with the 3 core.

 

I put a asi i got off eBay i used 68 mustang boss 302 upper and lower hoses i trimmed like 1/8 off the strut bar cross member on each side

 

the Taurus fan fit my champions 3 core radiator...and Earls...

 

Okay, thank you.

 

Hmm, alright. That isn't too terrible of a modification.

 

Okay. Thanks for the real world opinion. After viewing website after website, it all jumbles together. On top of that, return shipping starts to add up...

 

The cooler doesn't need to be blocked off, isn't going to leak coolant, if it did & were connected the transmission would soon be trash... Still not a bad idea to plug it just to keep dirt out of cooler in case you'd want to use it some time...

No engine makes 500Hp idling or cruising down the highway, that's when cooling is most important... A full power WOT blast for 1/4 mile or so is rarely a problem...

I'm using a stock brass radiator with e-fan in mine, no issue and I expect it to be fine when A/C is reinstalled...

 

Have a champion in mine. It has no problem keeping the 331 cool with the AC on.

 

My Griffin radiator doesn't have a drain. Gotta use a pump attached to an drill or pull the bottom hose. Do/did you have room to fit an elbow between the radiator and petcock?

 

Went out to the garage to snap some pictures and the camera doesnt work on my phone anymore apparently.

 

I have a Champion 3 core cooling a 347 and a 2 core cooling a 306, I have had no issues with either. I asked Champion if they would put the petcock on the very bottom and they did, it helps with installing less grinding on the cross frame.

 

Can't speak directly to what brand fits best but I would highly recommend using the built in cooler lines as they are going to help warm up times while also allowing the cooling system to reduce heat spike severity. Both of which add lifespan to any transmission and why most OEM's implement similar into their designs. Adding a thermostatically controlled switch will also help matters even more in regards to warm-up times.

The only better way to do all this is with a t-stat controlled auxiliary cooler with built in fan. But even that design can benefit from the rad's faster fluid warm up time.