Radiator upgrade for engine switch?

[jryan34]

I own a 1966 Mustang that originally was fitted with a V6 engine. The previous owners installed a V8 289. Is there a need to upgrade my radiator and transmission fluid cooler or will the one that was installed with the V6 work good enough for the V8? Many thanks.

[DeltaMustang65]

Some of the radiators that originally came with the V8s weren't even up to the task, so I wouldn't trust the radiator you have now. It's a cheap and easy upgrade that you can do yourself in about 30 minutes, anyway. You should get yourself a shroud too, but not one of those cheap ones.

[bmxmon]

Yeah, definately upgrade. I would go with something like a 4 row, i bought a 3 row and mine isnt even good enough. Im upgrading to an electric fan. Well, you said the one in there works well, so as long as it doesnt overheat i would say leave it until you know it needs to be upgraded. Yeah, im kinda contradicting...haha.

[Rev]

No V-6's in '66. There were inline 6's and 289 V-8's. I went with a 4 row brass radiator and still had to upgrade to an Edelbrock higher flow Al. water pump as well as a Shelby front valance and 2 electric fans (14" puller and 16" pusher). I still run at over 200 F on these 100 F summer days here in Texas. My engine is not stock though.

Rev

[sixystyle]

I'd have to say dont stick with the six banger cooling syst. at all! If it is running @ a decent temp. then maybe they already upgraded? But I always find an upgrade is nice,LOL ..........such as..........if the car doesn't have a/c then put in a fan and radiator for a car that does, and that will cool it off nice. But dont get it to cool because the warmer it runs the more mpg and HP you will get. I like to see most of my motors run @ 200 deg. when the thermostat opens. But you also want to make sure it dont get to hot...........you get to 225 then it's getting hot. I know I'll probably get backlash from this but.........thats just my opinion.

[Rev]

Originally Posted by sixystyle

I'd have to say dont stick with the six banger cooling syst. at all! If it is running @ a decent temp. then maybe they already upgraded? But I always find an upgrade is nice,LOL ..........such as..........if the car doesn't have a/c then put in a fan and radiator for a car that does, and that will cool it off nice. But dont get it to cool because the warmer it runs the more mpg and HP you will get. I like to see most of my motors run @ 200 deg. when the thermostat opens. But you also want to make sure it dont get to hot...........you get to 225 then it's getting hot. I know I'll probably get backlash from this but.........thats just my opinion.

No backlash from me. Smoky Yunik said in his book that the most power was made right around 200 F, and I believe him. Of course you do want your intake air as cool as you can get it (within reason).

Rev

[69fastback]

Always upgrade the radiator. There is no question about that. It is the only grimlin that I still chase in my 428.

[jryan34]

Thanks for all your help guys. There is a parts shop that sells reproduction parts for Mustangs and has a 2 row radiator for a 289. Now, it does have a 3 row, but says that is for if you have AC (which I don't). How do you guys that put in the 4 rows know that you needed more? And am I to understand that the 2 row new one wouldn't be good for me? I'm in Canada, so I don't have really hot summers.

[DeltaMustang65]

What's the name of your shop? Do they have a website? I'm willing to bet the radiators you're talking about are the aluminum cross flow variety found in 5.0s. I see them in 60's Mustangs around here from time to time, but I don't see them as necessary. I've heard that they like to crack and split in places, too, but that may just be rumor.

If you're in Canada, you should be fine with a 4 or even 3 row copper/brass radiator that would have come stock on a 289 car. The only reason I decided to buy the 4 row version was because I live in California and it gets up to 110 F in the summer. My 289 is mostly stock, probably making about 220 hp. Maybe that'll help you as a reference point.

[Gearhead999]

The early mustangs, including the 289, had overheating problems. I'd go with "at least" a 3-row radiator. A little extra cooling won't hurt.

[Rev]

Please disregard. Unintentional post while trying to edit.

Rev

[bears4ever]

Hey ryan

I also live up here in canada. I just upgraded my 68 289 to a 3 row rad. So far it seems to keep the temperature nice. i have had no problems of late with this 3 row rad. Not sure what part of Canada your from but i got mine thruogh Napa. The downfall is living up here where we pay top dollar for everything. if you know someone in the US you will propably find it cheaper. I paid $375Can for the rad.

[jryan34]

[QUOTE=mattgoveiagt]What's the name of your shop? Do they have a website? I'm willing to bet the radiators you're talking about are the aluminum cross flow variety found in 5.0s.

The place that I like to do my shopping is Mac's Auto Parts online. Here is a link to the radiator that I'm looking at. I had assummed that I had to go to a Mustang parts place in order to find one that fits my car, rather than going to Pep Boys or something like that. Many thanks again in advance.

http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....Z5Z5Z50000021G

[DeltaMustang65]

Hmmm...it sure does say "289 V8 standard cooling". I wouldn't trust it, though. I don't care what the thing says about "improved technology". I think you'd be fine with a 3-row radiator and run the trans lines through that as well. No real need for a separate cooler. Oh, and find an original style radiator if you can.