Is there such a thing as to big of a radiator?

[sunshine]

I am looking to put a new radiator in my buggy, and was wondering if bigger is better? I have a Ford 347 stroker in it and was wanting to put a Ron Davis radiator with dual electric fans. Is that a wast of money or is there something that will keep it cooler for less $$$$$?

 

[gijohn40]

my old cj7 has a 3 core radiator and it actually cools the engine too much in winter... I have to cover it part way up otherwise the thermostat will not open all the way...

 

[UNSTUCK]

I don't know anything about ford engines, but if they are anything like chevy's and to add to Johns comment, the engine wont run right if it can't get to operating temps. Might always run rich, might stay in open loop, ect.

Then again it is a ford, so it might just run better being all messed up.

 

[SnwMnkys]

My opinion is to run as big of radiator as you can fit. The motor should still get to operating temp assuming you have a thermostat installed. The more radiator surface area your coolant has to flow through means less time your fans will be turning on to help cool it down.

 

[Spork]

The thermostat determines engine temperature. Too large of a radiator and the thermostat will just keep it at whatever temp the thermostat is designed for, Too small of a radiator and it can't cool the engine enough and you over heat.

Basically the thermostat keeps coolant from flowing through the radiator so when the thermostat is closed it doesn't matter how large it is you only get whatever coolant gets around your thermostat going through.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question248.htm

 

[SnwMnkys]

Exactly. So if he has a 200 degree thermostat installed and thats what his motor needs to run at. What does it matter how big the radiator assuming its not so big hat it never allows the motor to get to 200 degrees.