what size radiator should i use if im running a 383 stroker with 2 10" electric fans? i have a 2 core aluminum radiator with 160 thermostat, but its seems to not be enough cooling.....it just keeps climbing even when the fans are on....any thoughts? should i get a 3 core or 4 core radiator?

 

Might not need to be any bigger, but a double or triple pass will aid cooling significantly. You didn't mention the dimensions on your present radiator, and whether the fans are pushers or pullers. Pullers work much better. Width is usually either 26" or 30", so a 30" will give you a bit more cooling, but require the support to be opened up for it, if you have the 26" now.
Summit has a 26" that's a triple pass for $189 with welded tanks, and have GM outlets. I've got one on an OT build, plus used them on a couple other builds. They work very well.

 

I have a dual row, 3" thick aluminum radiator, running a single 14" electric fan, and my stroker runs as cool as a cucumber. Overall tank-to-tank width is 28 3/8" and fits in the stock opening (with drilling new mount holes in the core support). You don't/shouldn't need to go oversize.
1) get rid of the 160 thermostat and put in a 180. That will give the coolant more time to spend in the radiator to cool off. If that helps, but not enough, try a 195. For some reason, guys seem to mistakenly think that a lower rated stat means a cooler running engine.
2) Check your ignition timing. If it's too far out of whack, it can make your engine run too hot.

 

ok...i'll try putting in a 180 thermostat and see....what do you guys think running hot is? my old 327 use to run at 180 but now its running at 215-220...i never got it higher than 220 so dont know if it will actually run higher...

 

I think mine may have hit 200 once, in traffic. Usually it's around 180 on the open road, unless I'm zinging the rpm's high, then it'll hit 190-195. 215-220 is very toasty (way too hot for my liking).

 

If you haven't changed anything, but temps are running higher now, then I'd be looking at tuning. It's easy to adjust timing and make an engine run hotter or cooler.
I think hot is anything over 195 degrees myself. My 327 runs around 180 in cooler weather, and a steady 195 in hot weather idling, or at speed. It's got a tiny 16"x18" two row 3" thick radiator with electric pusher fan. I'd love a little larger radiator and a puller fan, but no room.

 

I got a couple questions for you. First how old is your radiator and has it ever been cleaned out by a shop?

Are you running a shroud? You want to try and capture the air and force it through the radiator.

I'm running a Summit Racing aluminum radiator, 2-14" thick, dual rows, 1" tubes with a 16" SPAL fan, that flows 2360 cfm's and I have mounted to a custom shroud that I made.

Now I'm running a big block and a electric water pump and no thermostat, but then again my car is a race car, but I have issues getting my water to warm up if I run my fan.

I had a 68 Camaro with a 327 with a blower and I ran a stock 4 core radiator with a factory shroud, 180F thermostat and used a flex fan. I drove it on the street daily and never had any issues over heating the motor. I used to run 180/190F all day long in all conditions.

After you figure out what is going on with your system, try adding some Wetter Water to your system.

 

sorry for the late reply, but the radiator is a new radiator....its a 2row aluminum...i am running a shroud with 2 10" fan....it seems like its the fans thats not putting out enough air flow....im gonna change out the fans and check agian...will update as soon as im done...thanks for inputs..

 

ok, so i just put in a new 3 row radiator....it still runs hot....also had another 16" flex a lite fan rated at 3600 cfm installed and still same thing.....you think its my water pump thats not putting out enough flow? i have a new aluminum water pump off ebay....dont know if that is gonna be the problem.....any suggestions? thanks ahead....

 

Put in the new water pump and check that it isn't to far advanced on the distrutor too!!