Rad-a-Kool Radiator
Thank you for purchasing a Rada-Kool Radiator. To ensure the longevity and optimal performance of your Radiator please read the following instructions.
Installation:
Your Rad-a-Kool radiator is designed to fit the overall dimensions of the factory mounting location. Most fan shrouds will require modifications. Choose the appropriate height for the radiator position. Be sure when the radiator cap is on the filler neck, the hood can close without contact. If you are using an engine driven fan, be sure the fan blades will not make contact with the lower outlet or hose routing. Mounting flanges must be drilled to match core support mounting locations. The factory mounting bolts can be reused.
Fittings:
Lubricants must be used when threading into aluminum. Only use a liquid sealant (i.e. Teflon) or light grease for all fittings. Tape sealants can increase the thread size and promote leaks. NPT are sealing threads seal, as well as the seat of an inverted flare fitting; liquid sealants or greases are used solely for lubricating the threads to prevent galling.
Transmission Cooling Line Orientation
If your Rad-a-Kool is equipped with an automatic transmission cooler, you will find two ¼” NPT bungs located on the cold side (water pump side) of your radiator’s tank. Provided are two ¼”NPT X 5/16” inverted flare fittings for connecting transmission cooler lines.
On the radiator
Top Line, return line: Returns cooled ATF back to transmission
Bottom Line, pressure line: Takes the incoming hot ATF to be cooled
Coolant Requirements
Always use distilled water, no exceptions. It is strongly recommended to use at least a 50/50 mix of a glycol-based antifreeze and distilled water. A name brand pre-mix is another good option.
Grounding/Electrolysis
Make sure the engine, chassis, body, and charging system are properly grounded. Inspect for loose, corroded, broken or missing ground straps. Do not use the radiator as a grounding point.
Periodically check the condition of the antifreeze for reserve alkalinity with a test strip. If the coolant becomes acidic, the corrosion inhibitors are no longer able to protect your cooling system from an electrochemical charge (electrolysis) that can eat away at the metal surfaces inside your cooling system. Flush the cooling system thoroughly and replace with new coolant.
A test for electrolysis can be performed by using a voltmeter or digital multi-meter between the coolant and the battery negative cable. Take one of your readings with the engine off. A second reading, have the engine running at normal operating temperatures. USE EXTREME CAUTION- INJURY CAN OCCUR WHEN CAP IS OPENED. HIGH COOLANT TEMPERATURES WILL BURN YOU.
Insert the positive lead into the coolant, and negative lead to battery negative post. There are many conflicting readings that have been published as “corrosive level”. The general consensus is .5 volts. If a current reading is greater than .5 volts, it is recommended to check for proper grounds and coolant condition as mentioned.
Transmission Cooler Lines Kit: As you finish up a drivetrain conversion, there are always a few last minute items that need attention. One of these is the transmission cooler lines. You can surely bend up custom ridged cooler lines and route them up to the radiator or splice into your old lines if your vehicle had a stock automatic. We’ve found that the ridged lines are sometimes a pain to fit properly, and splicing into your stock lines may not always be the cleanest installation. We now offer a flexible stainless steel hose kit. These hoses are simple to route and easily installed onto the radiator. The seven foot long hoses are long enough to fit most applications while having a bit of extra hose to allow for body and frame flex. Our kit includes two 7’ stainless steel outer braid lines with Teflon inner tubing. The ends have dash 6 female A.N. fittings that are pre-crimped to the hose ends. The kit also includes two 1/4” MPT to dash 6 Male fittings for aluminum Rad-a-kool radiators, and two 5/16” inverted flare to dash 6 Male fittings for TH350 / TH400 / 700R4 transmissions.
PN23-1500 - Transmission Cooler Lines Kit
PN23-1501 - Transmission Cooler Lines Kit 700R/4L60E
Radiator Recovery Can: This canister will accumulate any “overflow” from the radiator cap. The accumulated fluid will then be pulled back into the radiator once the engine has cooled. PN716672.
Radiator In-Line Temperature Sensor Adapters: We offer three upper radiator hose in-line temperature sensor adapters. These adapters allow you to retain your vehicles stock temperature sending unit and stock gauge. These units are offered in either 1-3/8” or 1-1/2” hose diameter as to fit most block and radiator configurations. The sensor hole is either 3/8” or 1/2” on the 1-3/8” adapters or 1/2” on the 1-1/2” adapter.
PN716673 -1-3/8” with 3/8” sensor hole
PN716673A -1-3/8” with 1/2” sensor hole
PN716674 -1-1/2” with 1/2” sensor hole
Radiator Cap: The normal operating temperature on most engines is 180 to 200 degrees which generates a pressure of 8-12 pounds. This is true for both carbureted and fuel injected engines. To blow the cap of the radiator the coolant would have to be 270 degrees. Hopefully, the engine would be shut down prior to getting this hot, keeping the coolant inside the radiator. But for added protection, we offer a new 22 lb. radiator pressure cap. This cap works on all of our radiators. PN716679.
Spal Fan Kits: The Spal fans we offer are the high performance curved bladed pusher or puller fans. These 16” fans are 16.3” tall, 15.75” wide, and 3.39” deep at the fan’s motor. The fans are rated at 2070 CFM and being that they are pre-shrouded, they are ideal for cooling larger engines. Our fan kits come complete with the needed wiring harness, which is compatible with both positive and negative ground vehicles. The 3/8” pipe thread sending unit is designed to turn the fan on at 185 degrees and off at 170 degrees. The kit comes with a 40 amp relay, a fuse holder, and all other necessary hardware. In addition, our kit also includes mounting brackets for the fan to the radiator. The mounting brackets are designed for our aluminum radiators, however; we can supply you with brackets to fit our copper/brass radiators upon request.
PN716670 -Puller Fan Kit
PN716671 -Pusher Fan Kit
