The Scott Drake aluminum radiators...
The Scott Drake aluminum radiators offer outstanding quality for less than $400. It's a good investment in your Mustang's health and well-being.
Classic Mustangs have long suffered from cooling system woes because there was never enough cooling capacity in the first place. Even when these cars were new, they ran on the ragged edge of overheating in hot weather because their radiators were inadequate. Mustang radiators typically contained a two-row core, which didn't transfer enough heat. When an engine makes more heat than the radiator can remove, temperatures rise fast. A two-row core radiator has enough problems new. When you add rust particles and scale, cooling capacity is reduced even more and things get hotter.
Although Scott Drake Reproductions is well-known for its concours reproduction parts for vintage Mustangs, the company also produces high-quality aluminum radiators for both six-cylinder and V-8 Mustangs. Like original radiators, these aluminum versions have a two-row core, but they contain large tubes with a lot of heat conduction surface area. Fit is near perfect, with some minor modification possibly required.
We dropped in on The Mustang Shop of Arizona in Chandler, which was installing two of these radiators in '66 Mustangs, one with a six and another with a 289 V-8.
Cooling System Tips
- Make sure hoses do not touch hot surfaces. Chaffing is the quickest path to hose failure.
- Avoid tube and fin damage, no matter how small.
- Always use a fan shroud.
- Get your fan spacing and shroud depth right. A shroud becomes useless when there isn't proper fan penetration. The fan should be half way into the shroud.
- Never operate your Mustang without a thermostat.
- Use a 160- or 180-degree F thermostat in a classic Mustang.
- Late-model, computer-controlled Mustangs get a 195-degree F thermostat.
- Use two hoses clamps on each end for unequalled security.
- Always use an anti-collapse spring in the lower radiator hose.
What makes the Drake radiator...
What makes the Drake radiator so good is engineering, with the thought that wide tubes in a two-row core design transfers heat better than a copper core radiator. An automatic transmission cooler is built into all Drake radiators.
To install an aluminum radiator,...
To install an aluminum radiator, drain the coolant from your existing radiator and disconnect the radiator hoses. Now is the time to install new hoses and flush the cooling system.
This Mustang's original-style...
This Mustang's original-style two-row core radiator won't cut the mustard in the extreme Southern Arizona summer heat. When the outside air temperature is 115, these old stockers don't stand a chance of keeping up.
If the car is equipped with...
If the car is equipped with an automatic transmission, disconnect the automatic transmission cooler lines, then remove the four retaining bolts.
With the retaining bolts removed,...
With the retaining bolts removed, carefully lift the radiator out of the car.
Automatic transmission cooler...
Automatic transmission cooler line fittings have to be transferred to the Drake radiator.
Use Teflon tape on fitting...
Use Teflon tape on fitting threads, not only for sealing but also for protection against dissimilar metal corrosion.
Because the cooler lines use...
Because the cooler lines use a tapered fitting, you don't have to overtighten. Tighten snug, but not too tight.
Some installations may require...
Some installations may require mounting hole enlargement.
Carefully lower the radiator...
Carefully lower the radiator into place, making sure to avoid fan and radiator contact. Bent fins and tubes hinder cooling capacity no matter how tiny the offense. Install the bolts to secure the radiator.
Connect the transmission cooler...
Connect the transmission cooler lines using a 1/2-inch box end wrench on each fitting.
Install the upper and lower...
Install the upper and lower radiator hoses. Marvin McAfee of MCE Engines suggests using two radiator hose clamps at each end. He also says to buy quality clamps.
Mark Jeffrey of Trans Am Racing...
Mark Jeffrey of Trans Am Racing recommends 100-percent antifreeze to completely eliminate corrosion. Although it will reduce cooling efficiency, it won't be significant enough to cause overheating. Evans coolant is another suggestion, although it does not come cheap. Evans Non-Aqueous coolant uses no water and never has to be replaced.
Use a 16-pound pressure cap...
Use a 16-pound pressure cap to raise the boiling point. Although we are marginal on using any kind of stop-leak, Motorcraft's Stop-Leak pellets eliminate the potential for minor cooling system leaks.
Watch out for hose chaffing,...
Watch out for hose chaffing, which can lead to failure.
Each and every radiator tube...
Each and every radiator tube and fin is important to cooling capacity. Mash them, as people often do, and you hurt cooling capacity.
Always use a fan shroud, with...
Always use a fan shroud, with the fan halfway into the shroud.