FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

Gday all,

My FC has a 173 with the original radiator still installed.

On cars first trip to Toowoomba towing a teardrop twice the red temp light came on.

Will the ebay 3 core FC radiator keep the engine cool (maybe with thermo fan fitted as well) or do I need to a red motor rad and modify to fit????
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Brand-New-High-Quality-3-row-aluminum-radiator-For-HOLDEN-FE-FC-1956-1960/272124178881?_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140117125611%26meid%3D7f8c2138830c410b8e65c92d794b62bc%26pid%3D100009%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D111818302673

Thanks

Tim

Hi Tim,
I ran an FE wit ha 192 and 3 row FC radiator for about 10 years. Had no fan on the water pump, just a thermo activated electric that really only came on in traffic. Only ever watched it get hot one day out at Parkes in the middle of summer. Light never came on, but must have been close.  I had the tanks turned around so the radiator sat in front of the radiator support, not behind, which gave more room for the red motor. I was happy with that setup as it was pretty tidy to install as well. I'm currently building an FC with 186 and I'll probably go the same again. Regards, Martyn

I am having similar issues a 179HP with a cam and twin carbs stock grey motor radiator.
I opted for a Aussie made PWR alloy radiator not cheap tho but im a firm believer in you get what you pay for and the last thing i want to happen is pop a radiator or for it to crack when i am out west.
Maybe have a radiator shop clean or flow test your original  copper core radiator.
Also i highly reccomend you fit a temp and oil gauge so you know whats going on as the red idiot light normally means its cooked and too late.
Towing a van puts a lot of extra temp into it and i think you said you still have a 3sp box so its working that bit harder..

Pete

Way back in the early days I had an FC with a 192 Torana 4speed, with an EH radiator. Never had any worries until a truck got in my way. You will need to cut the sides of the front radiator panel so it will fit in,but no problems with clearing the fan.
Jim

Yes the new radiators are very good now. An Aussie Desert Coolers triple core radiator in original size will cool the engine well.
As Pete says, they are not cheap.
Also check your block is thoroughly clean and your pump is not a low quality one.

Ken

Tim , check what we did with Waynes [ Old Mt. Isa boy ] ute . The problem here was that we had already detailed the engine bay and wanted to change as little as possible ,but the aftermarket all alloy LC-LJ torana radiator with the "H" channel frame helps hide the wobbly shape that is pressed into the side panels and if you get the bottom tank stepped similar to the EH then it fits nice and low . Haydn

Thanks for the great info guys

Plenty to keep me busy for a while

Tim