Cooling System Trivia Question

[Michael J.]

Re: Cooling System Trivia Question

Michael -

Because of the geometry of the tanks. The GM side-tank radiator has much smaller (less volume) per vertical inch due to the smaller side tank cross-section; the Ford and Mopar top-tank is the full width of the radiator, and has much more volume per vertical inch than the GM side tanks, to provide the same total volume for coolant expansion.

Thanks very much, I have always wondered about why the difference in design. Does this explain why the Chevy BBs had a tendency to overheat more often than Mopar and Ford?

[John H.]

Re: Cooling System Trivia Question

Thanks very much, I have always wondered about why the difference in design. Does this explain why the Chevy BBs had a tendency to overheat more often than Mopar and Ford?

Michael -

Assuming comparable airflow mass through the core (with all being copper/brass construction), there may have been differences in the number of rows of tubes, the amount of tube surface exposed to airflow, the shape of the fins, the number of fins per inch, and how the fins were attached to the tube surfaces.

[Steven B.]

Re: Cooling System Trivia Question

Are there any reasons, except fitment, for side mounted versus top mounted tanks?

Steve

[John H.]

Re: Cooling System Trivia Question

Are there any reasons, except fitment, for side mounted versus top mounted tanks?

Steve

Steve -

It's primarily a packaging issue - as hood lines got lower, the radiators had to as well, so the tanks went to the sides to maintain the core area.