Cooling a 6.2 in a '40s truck

[46stude]

Its been a while since I've been on the forums- here's my intro:
http://www.thedieselpageforums.com/tdpforum/showthread.php?t=30601


My project Studebaker is not on a dually chassis anymore. I lost interest in the design, and when I moved last year, I put it back together on the stock frame (much easier to move a truck when its bolted together & not just resting on a donor chassis). The dually chassis was scrapped.

I'll try not to make this too long of a read. So here we are today:
I have another donor chassis. Its an 86 Chevy 1/2 ton running a 6.2 & 700R4. Motor & trans are in great shape, but the body is rusted out. The Stude frame & the GM frame are identical in width (the cab practically falls on the GM frame). I've been talking to another Stude owner who put his body on a '70s chassis, so I have all my bases covered on the swap to the actual '86 frame.

What I have been stumped on is cooling the n/a 6.2 in the old trucks engine bay. It'd be near impossible to put the massive stock diesel radiator in the Studebaker. I have found a couple of universal radiators that are the max dimensions that will fit in the truck easily:
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Universal-Aluminum-Radiator-27-Inches-Tall,7316.html

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?campid=5336008383&customid=oldhippie&toolid=10001&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Frover.ebay.com%2Frover%2F1%2F711-53200-19255-0%2F1%3Fcampid%3D5336008383&customid%3Doldhippie&toolid%3D10001&mpre%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcgi.ebay.com%252Febaymot ors%252F1928-29-30-31-32-34-Ford-Griffin-Hot-Rat-Rod-Radiator_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem5886481d18QQit emZ380209995032QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5 fAccessories


I won't have an AC in this truck, so no AC condeser. I can move the engine oil cooler & trans cooler to the sides where they won't sit in front of the radiator. Not planning to turbo it, either. I can fab a fan shroud & run a clutch fan, or even electric fans if anyone knows of one that can pull enuff air thru it.

Does anyone have any feedback? I know the 6.2 builds a lot of heat. If I can't cool it without a crapload of money or trouble, I'll toss the idea & run a gas engine. I'd like to run the diesel, though, so here I am........

[DmaxMaverick]

You aren't limited to "stock" radiators. You can use any radiator/system that meets the needs of your cooling requirements. Custom radiators aren't really that bad (cost), compared to quality "off the shelf" models. You can use a deeper core (6 row), or stack multiples, or place multiples in different locations. Electric fans can work, if configured properly (and especially efficient with multiple cores). Get out of the box and throw away the rule book. Keep it simple, and to the principal. The end result will only pass coolant heat to the air. How you do this matters little.

Also, even if you use a late model gas V8 engine, you'll have similar concerns. The cooling requirements of a N/A 6.2 isn't much more.

[46stude]

Also, even if you use a late model gas V8 engine, you'll have similar concerns. The cooling requirements of a N/A 6.2 isn't much more.

I wouldn't hesitate to use either radiators I posted above to cool my Buick 455 or a 454 Chevy. I've always heard that the 6.2 needs a big radiator, as the one I had out of a 454 Suburban was not near as wide as the one in my 6.2 'Burb. Are they just needed in the 3/4 ton & 1 ton models, but not neccesary for the 1/2 tons?

One other thing I thought about- I won't be pulling any heavy trailers w/ the truck.

[rogers]

If your numbers skills aren't too rusty this (http://www.unb.ca/che/Undergrad/proposed/radiator.pdf) is an interesting read.

There are other ways of dealing with heat though. You can reject a whole lot through the exhaust by coating the pistons, combustion chambers, exhaust runners, valves, manifolds, and wrapping the pipes and manifolds. This is a generally accepted way of preventing heat soaking into the heads and then into the cooling system. An added benefit might be a more efficient scavenge and increased mpg.

[46stude]

Never thought about coating the exhaust manifolds w/ something like JetHot until I read your post, rogers. That'd prolly help alot.

But this 6.2 was recently rebuilt, so I'm not tearing it down to coat the internals. Be a good idea if I was rebuilding, though. And I'm a fairly intelligent guy, but that link was waaaay outta my math abilities. :o

I was looking at the Stude earlier & it looks like I can get more fresh air to the engine bay by drilling some holes in the side panels by the rad support.

Looks like I may be able to run the diesel after all. Keep the input coming! :cool: