71 LaMans cooling ?

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lamans71

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Hello, I recently purchased a 71 LaMans convertable and have a couple of questions that perhaps someone here might have answers for. First the car has a standard radiator and I'm thinking about swaping it out for an alum unit with electric fans; has anyone done this mod? Any problems with this type of swap and/or any recomendations on brands of fans or radiator? I saw what looks like a nice alum one on ebay but its only a two core, I've never used an alum radiator before so I'm uncertain if that will be enough. I live in Phx AZ where the temps are over 100 degrees for most of the summer months so proper cooling is important. And second this car came without AC so I'm thinking about adding that, has anyone added AC to there ride? Better off finding a donor car with factory air or using an aftermarket like vintage air?

Thanks for any info on these two questions.

Chris
 
if you dont have an overheating problem why are you trying to do this? I would go with the aftermarket on the A/C, if your not concerning with originality, the parts are all brand new.
 
melsg5 said:
if you dont have an overheating problem why are you trying to do this? I would go with the aftermarket on the A/C, if your not concerning with originality, the parts are all brand new.
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Well I just bought the car, infact it came off the transport trailer yesterday, so I'm still evaluating all the componets. The car is equiped with a flex fan and I'd rather rid the car of the drag this creates. I could go to a clutch fan but that still drags once its working, which in these temps is allways. Besides the alum radiator I'm looking at is $180, which is not much for the peace of mind factor. I did find a thread about this radiator on another site and most seemed to be happy with its performance.

I've never used an alum radiator before so I'm just looking for opinions on the overall performance vs issues in using one in case I go that direction.

Thanks for the thoughts on the AC, I'm not into a concourse car here just a nice driver so I am leaning towards the aftermarket AC.
 
install a robert shaw or similar 160 degree high flow thermostat, dump the flex fan and get a thermostatic clutch fan again get a brand name part , make sure the fan shroud is intact. I have never used an aluminum radiator but there are number of good ones out there, before you do ebay check with www.summitracing.com. You also have to be aware of the tendency for aluminum to corrode due to the electrolitic action of the engine coolant with other non-aluminum metals. I'm sure the radiator manufacturers have more information on this issue. You didnt mention which engine, can I assume the 2bbl 350?
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melsg5 said:
install a robert shaw or similar 160 degree high flow thermostat, dump the flex fan and get a thermostatic clutch fan again get a brand name part , make sure the fan shroud is intact. I have never used an aluminum radiator but there are number of good ones out there, before you do ebay check with www.summitracing.com. You also have to be aware of the tendency for aluminum to corrode due to the electrolitic action of the engine coolant with other non-aluminum metals. I'm sure the radiator manufacturers have more information on this issue. You didnt mention which engine, can I assume the 2bbl 350?
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400 4bbl:D Which is partly why I'm concerned; this will not be driven that much but I expect to have my foot in it when I do drive it.
 
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any chance you can look at the engine code, passenger side in front of the cylinder head on the block? Would be a 2 letter code such as WT.
 
YD was not used in 71. Check this link for the possibilities, you need the block casting number to determine which one.
http://www.pontiacpower.net/engcode01.html
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It is indeed a YD code block, YD 440760 is the code. But I cannot find the numbers listed in that table just the two letter code.
 
any chance the 440760 is part of your VIN and the block casting number is located elsewhere which I'm checking on.
Casting codes for from March 1967 on are found on the rear of the block just behind the number 8 cylinder
 
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Ok I'll check on that in just a bit, have to pull it out of the garage to get that far back.
 
Ok so I was able to see back behind the dist and found these codes. 0107 could be a zero or an"O" at the front not for sure. Also just above that is this number 86133; short for the 67' block casting # 9786133? The center exhaust por says 670 on each side. I'm guessing that this is a 67 400, sound right?
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But that's for a "YE" block you said you had "YD" on the front block pad.
 
Yep and according to this site there is a YD block in 67, 400cid 265hp
http://www.teufert.net/pontiac/engcodes.htm
And on PDude's site he lists a 67 400 with the block casting #9786133, although he does'nt show a YD anywhere in his block code chart, confusing this block code thing:eek::).
 
Yep YD code on the front of the block, and according to this site there was a YD block used in 67, 400cid 265hp.
http://www.teufert.net/pontiac/engcodes.htm
Also according to the PDude site he lists a 67 400 with the block code as #9786133. But on the flip side he does not show a YD block in his list of block codes untill 72 and then as a 455cid. Wierd but I'm betting that what I have is a 67 400cid block as I did find a reference to the 670 head being used on the 67 400. I think that I'll order the info thats availible from PHS, I know that this is the wrong block but I'm wondering just what this car came with from the factory.
 
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