Fluidyne Radiator Install Question

I didn't install it, a petcock was already there at the top when I bought the car. But I have used it several times, to bleed air when refilling coolant prior to runing the engine. First when I installed the lay down kit and when installing stainless steel pipes.

Julian,

That return line has mixed reviews as to its effectiveness. It is on 2511 and it causes no problems, so I've left it alone.

If it is easy enough to hook up, I'd retain its function.

By the way, have you done the GT5 signal/running light install? How'd it go?

Larry

Larry,

I'm ordering ss tube for under the car so would include the return in SS if I kept it, I thought maybe I'd get away with less expense if it was just a petcock.!

I'm also having a hell of a time finding an M22 to 3/8 NPT adapter so I can run the SPAL temp sensor for the fan controller.

quote:

By the way, have you done the GT5 signal/running light install? How'd it go?

Thanks for asking, there's a whole 'front end' thing going on at the moment, fabricating CF bumperettes, PIAA 2" lights for the 74 bumnper shock holes, new lower valance, radiator and fans etc. In amongst that are the GT5 turn signal lights. I still have to grind out one side of my pod as I didn't have two tabs to bend back, more of a solid pod on one side.

Julian

Joules, On my early 71 car the top little hose connectc back to a nipple on one of the coolant lines. I belive you can saftly just use a petcock there to bleed air out when refilling.

I also installed a petcock on the top to help bleed it.
Tom

Julian,when I installed mine I was told by PPC to just put the petcock in.That little run off hose never did much good anyway.Thanks JW

Just get an M22 plug and then drill and tap the pipe thread in the center. My sensor actually was a 1/4" pipe thread.
Forest

Julian,
What fans did you go with?

Josh

quote:

Originally posted by Joules5:
Busy day yesterday, not only did my Kodiak wheels arrive, but the Fluidyne Rad came from Summit too.

For info, mine came with the 1 3/8" outlets and I'm now in the process of sourcing the M22 plugs etc. Thanks to previous posts I have NAPA part #'s to go on.

The lower drain petcock came pre-installed, but the upper left (drivers side) of the rad has a threaded hole for a further petcock. Should I try and reconnect this with a union to the small return pipe to the rear overflow tank or can I do away with that and just install a petcock at the top for bleed purposes?

Thanks
Julian

Josh,

I've been in the midst of it today, making radiator and fan mounting brackets, cutting out the old fan mountings etc. and doing some general make good on the front end.

In the end I went the standard Flex-a-lite 210 route. I mulled over it for ages as Mike Drew/Johnny Woods recommended a non-shrouded set up as they found that cooling with shrouds becomes restricted at high speed. I attended my first meet of the local Pantera club last Sunday and Larry Stock convinced me the shroud isn't an issue, and I won't be running extended high speeds, so as the flexalite was available locally from Summitt at a reasonable price ($209) I went with that.

I was set on SPAL fans for a long time, in the form of the 12" high duty fans which are rated at 1630 cfm each, for 3200 cfm a pair, a bit heavier and a bit wider, but my concern with them was current draw as they draw 19A each and 38A just seemed a lot to put on the system, even though I just picked up a 100A alternator. The flexalites give 2500 cfm and draw 19.5A total.

I'm adding a variable thermostatic controller to allow some flexability for running temperature control.

Julian

Hi Joules,

Sounds like your car is coming together. You don't happen to know how much that Fluidine radiator weighs do you? I would like to know what the saving is.

Johnny

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny Woods:
I would like to know what the saving is. Johnny

My stock radiator weighs 32 pounds, empty.

Jeff
6559

My Fluidyne weighs 18 lbs. Weighed my stock rad and it's around 40 lbs empty.

Thanks Julian for the info. I think I'd to include a shroud.. ?

Josh

Hi Johnny,

I hear the English weather is true to form, must be frustrating for you! Don't worry Spring is around the corner, better still head to Southern Europe

The 18lbs sounds about right for the Fluidyne, sorry it was mounted up before I picked up your post to weight it. The www.Fulidyne.com website has a Tech questions section, I'm sure they'd give you the 'official' weight.

Yes #7024 is coming together, not long before POCA Vegas and I want to drive down.
I have done a ton of work to get it roadworthy since I saw you (Although I have to admit I still haven't welded up that valance yet).

The cooling system has had a total makeover (overheated when I took it for smog) with the Fluidyne Rad, Flex-a-lite fans, Milodon HV water pump. Oh and the correct 351C t-stat.... . I also replaced all the under car coolant tubes with 304 stainless, hoses with Gates green stripe, double clamped and I even sleeved the hoses with braiding.

The braking system is still apart at the moment, as I had to strip and clean all the calipers that had seized. That should go back together during the week and hopefully I'll be able to attend our local P club Tech session next Sunday. It will present an opportunity to get the car up on the ramps for a thorough inspection. You just can't acheive the same lying on your back

By the way, if your staying over in the US after or before Vegas, the offer of accomodation still holds.

Julian

Thanks for posting the radiator weights. My original rad is 35lbs.

Julian, Thank you for the offer of accommodation. I am looking forward to the salt going away, then I can get out in the car and start terrorising!

Johnny