Cooling suggestions k5 454

[BryanS]

Hi everyone thank you all for the help so far.

83 k5 with 454

PO did some things good and others no so good.

I got this truck from AL and I’m in FL. Buddy of mine drove it down.

Lost the radiator on the way and replaced with whatever they had in stock at 8:45 at night in middle of nowhere outside Valdosta.

So the radiator mostly fits. Is about the right size and is AL. It’s about 2” too short and o can probably find something to make the brackets work OR I can get the right one.

The other issue I have is the shroud does not fit the “new” radiator AND I only have the top half of it.

The he engine swap I think puts the fan slightly lower than original and that’s why the PO removed the bottom half

SO I’m thinking about electric fan/shroud combo to go on either the existing ( 2 inch shorter) radiator or a new correct one.

Any suggestions on brand/ set up? I’m thinking duel fans with thermostat switch’s?

Truck has AC that is not working but is there and plans to fix that once I get this figured out.

I’m in FL and it’s hot here most of the time

Appreciate help and guidance Thank you !

 

[nvrenuf]

Just my opinion….

Use an 83 K30 w/ 454 as the application to shop for parts. Get a factory 4 row radiator and matching shroud then a 7 blade fan with a severe duty fan clutch.

The fan is located at the same height for SBC’s and BBC’s but the distance between the fan and radiator is different. If your truck has a body lift that’s likely the reason the lower half of the shroud.

I’ve got a 454 in a Blazer and this combo worked well.

 

[BryanS]

Just my opinion….

Use an 83 K30 w/ 454 as the application to shop for parts. Get a factory 4 row radiator and matching shroud then a 7 blade fan with a severe duty fan clutch.

The fan is located at the same height for SBC’s and BBC’s but the distance between the fan and radiator is different. If your truck has a body lift that’s likely the reason the lower half of the shroud.

I’ve got a 454 in a Blazer and this combo worked well.

Awesome thank you. You are just the guy I’m looking for advice from. Same truck as me

There is no body lift just 4” suspension…original squishy rubber mounts are on my list to update. I think the engine was sitting funky because the oil pan was literally sitting on the xmemeber. Just put in new ORD xmemeber and mounts and seems a fraction higher.

I’m assuming the fan is closer to the radiator but it’s ok

I know I can get the k30 radiator (already looked them up) and will search for the shroud

What year block do you have? What did you do with the oil cooler?

Really appreciate the advice.

 

[nvrenuf]

I used to run that cooling system recipe in my old K10 with a 454 and it worked fantastic.

When I built my Blazer I actually bumped the system up a bit. I now run a 4 row radiator & shroud from a 6.2 diesel (same 4 row thickness and height but 6” wider than a gas radiator). This radiator has bigger hose necks so I had to have a shop change them to fit my hoses. I run a serpentine belt set up now so I have a 9 blade fan and severe duty fan clutch from a ‘99 C3500.

A big block does put the fan closer to the radiator, you’ll find 454 and 6.2 diesel shrouds are more shallow than a SBC.

I’m running an 80’s RV 4 bolt main block, casting #14015445. Just a production block with extra bolts, nothing crazy. I don’t run an oil cooler (I actually use the old engine oil cooler as a p/s cooler).

 

[BryanS]

I used to run that cooling system recipe in my old K10 with a 454 and it worked fantastic.

When I built my Blazer I actually bumped the system up a bit. I now run a 4 row radiator & shroud from a 6.2 diesel (same 4 row thickness and height but 6” wider than a gas radiator). This radiator has bigger hose necks so I had to have a shop change them to fit my hoses. I run a serpentine belt set up now so I have a 9 blade fan and severe duty fan clutch from a ‘99 C3500.

A big block does put the fan closer to the radiator, you’ll find 454 and 6.2 diesel shrouds are more shallow than a SBC.

I’m running an 80’s RV 4 bolt main block, casting #14015445. Just a production block with extra bolts, nothing crazy. I don’t run an oil cooler (I actually use the old engine oil cooler as a p/s cooler).

Got it

My block is early 90s I think, and has oil lines coming off the block. Right now they goto a $20 tranny cooler.

I think I found a spectra radiator that has oil and tranny cooler in it. That would do me pretty well I think.

I don’t know much else about the motor other than it’s got old M/t valve coverage performer intake and a 600 holly. I just put on headers and magnaflows and the truck feels more powerful and sounds amazing quiet at idle and nasty if I get on it.

I have a new 750 holly to put on and then see where I’m at.

Need to get the cooling figured out before FL summer comes back in 2weeks

 

[WFarm]

I installed this Cold Case radiator in my 75 454 Blazer. Installed with no problems and works great so far.