Maintaining your hot rod’s cooling system is critical, but understanding how to achieve this goal is oftentimes elusive. There’s a staggering amount of poor information and lack of knowledge that’s spread around. (Oftentimes the Internet is as large a source of misinformation as it is of good information.) There isn’t another aspect of building a car, other than possibly the electrics, that’s as misunderstood as your car’s cooling system.
What is in front of you over the next few pages is a listing of products that will help you learn what and how to keep your hot rods cool—and you while you are at it. The “given” in any cooling system is to start with a radiator designed for your application. There are plenty of great examples in both copper/brass and aluminum, but remember each has specific care practices to follow. Before you fork over upwards of $800 for a really good radiator with electric fan and shroud, note there are critical factors to first decide. These would include engine (size and horsepower level), engine compartment (airflow), and accessories (A/C, electric fan, automatic trans, and so on). And it should be noted that not all cooling is the responsibility of the radiator, although it is numero uno, but there are transmission and oil coolers, coolants and additives, electric fan controllers, and water pumps.
Earlier we mentioned electric fans and shrouds. Regardless of whether you use a mechanical (block driven) fan or an electric fan, a proper shroud is your engine’s best friend when it comes to assisting in cooling. A good shroud should be designed and fitted to your radiator and engine compartment needs, as well as fan placement (electric attached to the front or back of the radiator) or a block driven the shroud is critical. A well-designed shroud and matched to a properly placed fan will assist in directing the air through the radiator and over the engine and out of the engine compartment (often referred to as heat mapping). Cooling is critical and there are a number of factors to factor in but it can be done; just do your homework, and a great place to start is to look over the following Cooling Buyer’s Guide.
Perma-Cool, Inc.
Perma-Cool’s popular HP Electric Fans combine the performance and durability of flex fans (without parasitic horsepower loss) with the “airflow when you need it” of electric fans into one powerful package. Fabricated from aluminum and steel—unlike plastic electric fans—they’re crafted to perform in the harshest environments. Ideal for use as primary cooling fans and reversible for push/pull applications, HP Fans include patented nylon mounting systems, perfect for engine swaps.
Cool-Pack Cooling Systems are available in Direct Fit and Universal applications. Direct Fit systems feature powerful electric motors, large aluminum blades, adjustable controllers, laser-cut aluminum shrouds with airflow enhancers, and an SAE black powdercoat finish. Cool-Pack Universal systems allow flexibility in wiring with either a single-stage temperature engagement point or an adjustable style (sold separately). Direct Fit Cool Packs are plug-and-play units, making installation a snap. And like most Perma-Cool products, HP Electric Fans and Cool-Pack Cooling Systems are made in the USA.
Perma-Cool, Inc.
(951) 352-2665
perma-cool.com
Cooling Components
Cooling Components is now celebrating 25 years as the pioneer and leading brand in specialty-built electric fans and shrouds. Cooling Components says they are the number one choice of top hot rodders for many reasons. Cooling Components fans and shrouds are literally the slimmest, needing only 2-5/8 inches of clearance (less than 2 inches for most ’30s cars); the highest air flowing, with a 300-watt two-speed motor developed for Humvees capable of more than 2,500 real cfm with a single blade; the quietest patented 11-eared blades; and the most efficient tapered shroud, with 20 different designs that fit almost every application, and unlike flat shrouds, guarantees the maximum airflow through the whole radiator area. They also won the 2017 NSRA new product award for their rigorously tested new Solid-State Controllers that replace the conventional relay and temp switches. For guaranteed satisfaction, this is your one single stop!
Cooling Components
(901) 336-6194
coolingcomponents@gmail.com
coolingcomponentsinc.com
Derale
Derale Performance continues to lead the automotive cooling industry with quality products their customers trust. While some companies focus on only one type of cooling product, Derale offers a series of cooling products. Their complete product line offers cooling solutions for engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, differential oil, and even for fuel. High Output Electric Fans and powerful Remote Fluid Coolers are just an example of how they can help combat heat. Don’t let heat lead to premature component failure and costly repairs. Before you take your toys out on the next run, find out how Derale can keep your temperatures under control. Is your car cool?
Derale
(800) 421-6288
derale.com
Griffin Thermal Products
Griffin Thermal Products is proud to introduce the all-new ExactFit series of aluminum radiators. With 30 years of experience in the performance cooling market and one of the largest collections of OEM sample radiators, Griffin has engineered the ExactFit series. Working with a double focus on precision and performance, the ExactFit products install exactly the same as the OEM component. They offer all of the required mounting tabs, brackets, and spuds to ensure a seamless installation. Optimal performance is achieved by the use of two rows of Griffin exclusive MaxCool 1.25-inch tubing. The wider tube width used in these products creates a greater amount of surface area in the same amount of space. This allows the product to far exceed the performance of common two-row, 1-inch radiators. Backed by the industry’s best two-year warranty, the new ExactFit radiators are top of the line.
Griffin Thermal Products
(800) RACERAD (722-3723)
griffinrad.com
Delta PAG
Delta PAG’s brushless high-performance cooling fan uses cutting-edge, patented technologies, making them the most advanced fan on the market. Their patented technology increases reliability (lasts 10 times longer), reduces amp draw by 30 percent, Soft-Start eliminates power spikes, and produces over 2,800 cfm at only 2.70 inches thin.
Plug-and-play with your OEM/aftermarket computer or use Delta PAG’s digital temp/speed controller to program on/off temp and adjust airflow to custom fit your application. One digital temp/speed controller can operate two fans simultaneously, allowing for true staggered-on operation. Included waterproof wiring harness makes an easy install, no relays or temp switches needed. Ask about fabricating a custom aluminum shroud for your application. Complete cooling packages also available, radiator, shroud, and fan(s) for any vehicle.
Delta PAG
(212) 203-2912
deltapag.com
Champion Cooling Systems
Finding a new radiator for a classic hot rod doesn’t have to be a long, difficult process. Neither does finding a custom, all-aluminum, TIG-welded replacement. At Champion Cooling Systems they build aluminum radiators for hot rods and muscle cars as an OE replacement or to accommodate an engine swap. Whether you’re keeping the flathead in your custom deluxe or swapping a late-model engine in your hot rod, Champion Cooling Systems can provide you with a lightweight aluminum radiator with a limited-lifetime warranty. If you’re looking to replace the mechanical fan, they also supply electric fans and shrouds for thousands of applications. Their accessories also include fan relay kits, overflow tanks, and inline coolant filters. Call Champion Cooling Systems or visit their website and let them know what your pride and joy needs so they can get you back on the road, running cooler than ever.
Champion Cooling Systems
(951) 245-9464
championcooling.com
U.S. Radiator Corporation
For over 40 years, U.S. Radiator has offered the most complete and comprehensive line of “correct appearance and fit” copper/brass radiators for American classic, muscle cars, classic truck, and street rod applications in the industry. Over the last 10 years they have expanded their line of “correct appearance and fit” radiators with their Desert Cooler Aluminum radiators. They now offer four distinctive performance core designs to handle any horsepower and hard-to-cool applications and have been the leader in innovated heat-transfer design. Couple that with their unique Triple Flow design and Low Profile Fan Shroud package and every application from mild to wild is covered.
U.S. Radiator Corporation
(323) 826-0965
usradiator.com
Old Air Products
Old Air Products specializes in cooling system performance. They manufacture the Hurricane Series A/C, heat, and defrost systems that offer a variety of options to fit virtually any vehicle. Along with the A/C systems, they offer a complete line of electric fans, fan shrouds, and aluminum radiators to maximize the cooling capacity for your antique, classic, or custom vehicle. Old Air offers a full line of replacement parts and N.O.S., NORS parts for factory A/C and heater systems, including heater valves, blower switches, resistors, relays, receiver/dryers, cables, update kits for STV and POA valves, A/C hose assemblies, vacuum valves, and electrical switches.
Old Air Products
(817) 531-2665
chill@oldairproducts.com
oldairproducts.com
Maradyne High Performance
Heralded as the flagship fan of Maradyne’s brand, the M162K Champion Series 16-inch low-profile heavy-duty fan delivers more cooling per square inch than any other fan in its class. Designed with the street rod crowd in mind, this fan features an industry-low 3.25-inch height at the motor and a mere 1.1 inch at the outer rim of the shroud.
Made of all glass-filled nylon for high impact and heat resistance, this reversible fan produces over 2,000 cfm in Maradyne’s AMCA certified air test chamber. Sponsored for years on Xfinity and Cup racing teams, it can cool up to 850 hp in the pits. Whether it’s your favorite weekend rat rod or showstopping shrine to chrome and glitz, this fan will keep your powerplant cool and your ears happy with its quiet S-blade design.
Maradyne High Performance
(800) 403-7953
maradynehp.com
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