What radiator do I need?

[NoOnesHero 0]

So I recently purchased a 1969 mach 1 with a 390. It appears to have a stock radiator with an aftermaret 17" fan. I was told the aftermarket AC was installed last year. When I drive it, it gets hot quick. I'm thinking I need a better radiator and fan. What radiator and fan should I go with? Thoughts? 

I'd love to be able to drive this bad boy to Vegas and back (4 hours 1 way) without over heating. 

Any help would be greatly appreciated. 

[aslanefe 333]

8 hours ago, NoOnesHero said:

So I recently purchased a 1969 mach 1 with a 390. It appears to have a stock radiator with an aftermaret 17" fan. I was told the aftermarket AC was installed last year. When I drive it, it gets hot quick. I'm thinking I need a better radiator and fan. What radiator and fan should I go with? Thoughts? 

I'd love to be able to drive this bad boy to Vegas and back (4 hours 1 way) without over heating. 

Any help would be greatly appreciated. 

What size radiator do you have, 20" or 24". And do you have a fan shroud? I use a 24" original radiator with original shroud and 17" fan with clutch and do not have overheating issues with AC on using 190 thermostat on my 302 but I do not get stuck in traffic for hours.

[NoOnesHero 0]

It's 24" wide and 20" tall. It does have a fan shroud. It also has power steering and after market AC. This is a big block 390 though. I'm assuming there's something in the cooling system that has to be or at the very least can be replaced to prevent overheating. 

[RPM 1,190]

First up, welcome to the club. Where abouts do you call home? And pics, we need pics of your car. Is your 69 an S code?

Overheating could be caused by many factors, timing is not off, clogged radiator, bad water pump, broken thermostat. 

If I were you, I'd probably want to replace or repair all those parts I mentioned, and all hoses and belts. 

[edwardthomson51@yahoo.com 1]

hey if your radiator is many years old...you may want to replace it reguardless if you are riding in super hot weather.......  and is the engine stock??   rpm has some good ideas to check out

too.... it all adds up in the end!     good luck

ed

 

 

[EastYorkStang 63]

Define "HOT" are you going from a factory gauge ? Get a portable temperature checker. I use one with a laser pointer.

 Mine read at the high end of the factory gauge. Checked at the thermostat, and the temp sender. Both read 185.  

[NoOnesHero 0]

Thank you RPM, I'm in Bakersfield, Ca. It is an "S" code. I've attached a pic. 

I do plan on replacing the spark plugs, cables and distributor. I was thinking of going with an aluminum radiator. Maybe a 3 row crossflow radiator? 

It does have headers and aluminum intake manifold ( i want to say it's an edelbrock performer RPM). 

And I'd like to thank all of you for the helpful responses. 

[aslanefe 333]

 

3 hours ago, NoOnesHero said:

Thank you RPM, I'm in Bakersfield, Ca. It is an "S" code. I've attached a pic. 

I do plan on replacing the spark plugs, cables and distributor. I was thinking of going with an aluminum radiator. Maybe a 3 row crossflow radiator? 

It does have headers and aluminum intake manifold ( i want to say it's an edelbrock performer RPM). 

And I'd like to thank all of you for the helpful responses. 

 

As  Eastyorkstang mentioned above, are you saying it is running hot just by looking at factory temp gauge? If so, I would get an infrared thermometer for $10-20 and measure the engine temp with it before buying a new radiator. 

[NoOnesHero 0]

My apologies I did mean to address that. I am basing it off the gauge on the dash but it does have the Dakota digital gauges. Should I not go by that?

[aslanefe 333]

7 hours ago, NoOnesHero said:

My apologies I did mean to address that. I am basing it off the gauge on the dash but it does have the Dakota digital gauges. Should I not go by that?

Even with Dakota digital gauges, I would check with infrared thermometer to make sure the gauge and sender are working properly; what if the previous owner used the wrong sender. Also, is the sender for Dakota digital installed on factory location?