Cooling a v8 Vega down

Measure and see how much room you have to install a larger radiator.
If it is a Hotrod its A Ok to cut and fit a larger radiator.
I like Griffin universal fit racing radiators.
Budget friendly $200-300.
Larger than all.
Bypass the custom $800-1000 radiator costs.
 
We all like and use electric fans here.

A few select factory mechanical fans are good.
Early Corvette.
Early Trans Am both are rare and hard to find now.
 
Two of the largest Muscle Era Radiators made were for the Cadillac Eldorado 500 Ci V8 & the 1970 Pontiac Bonneville.
They are big radiators. Will not likely fit in a Chevy Vega.

A Few Good options to transplant....

1967-1969 Chevy Camaro Big Block Radiator.
1967-1969 Pontiac Firebird 400 Radiator.

1970-1976 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 400 Ram Air & 455 all 4-core radiator.

The Largest Universal Racing radiator Griffin makes is actually same exact dimensions as what 1970-76 Firebird T/A has.
I bought one last year & installed into my 63 Pontiac Gp.
Many have bought the same for their 496 Ci BBC into 1967-1969 Camaros.

The real deal Volkswagon Shiracco mini radiator guys used to use in Drag racing BBC is no longer available.
They sell a plastic tank unit now.
 
Two of the largest Muscle Era Radiators made were for the Cadillac Eldorado 500 Ci V8 & the 1970 Pontiac Bonneville.
They are big radiators. Will not likely fit in a Chevy Vega.

A Few Good options to transplant....

1967-1969 Chevy Camaro Big Block Radiator.
1967-1969 Pontiac Firebird 400 Radiator.

1970-1976 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 400 Ram Air & 455 all 4-core radiator.

The Largest Universal Racing radiator Griffin makes is actually same exact dimensions as what 1970-76 Firebird T/A has.
I bought one last year & installed into my 63 Pontiac Gp.
Many have bought the same for their 496 Ci BBC into 1967-1969 Camaros.

The real deal Volkswagon Shiracco mini radiator guys used to use in Drag racing BBC is no longer available.
They sell a plastic tank unit now.
Thanks for the info
 
keep in mind oil does almost all the initial engine cooling so adding a larger efficient oil cooler with a fan
, and as large an oil pan as clearances allow goes a long way toward reducing engine temps,
you certainly will see a difference if a properly sized and installed oil cooler is used.

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ans-cooler-on-a-c4-corvette.10514/#post-44478

airoilcl1.jpg

you don,t need something this large in most cases
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/flx-700040
airoilcl2.jpg

something like this makes a noticeable improvement
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/der-15800

remember to accurately measure the area you intend to install any oil cooler,
and leave lots of room for the connecting high pressure oil feed & return lines and access to connect them.
 
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keep in mind oil does almost all the initial engine cooling so adding a larger efficient oil cooler with a fan
, and as large an oil pan as clearances allow goes a long way toward reducing engine temps,
you certainly will see a difference if a properly sized and installed oil cooler is used.

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ans-cooler-on-a-c4-corvette.10514/#post-44478
airoilcl1.jpg

you don,t need something this large in most cases
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/flx-700040
airoilcl2.jpg

something like this makes a noticeable improvement
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/der-15800

remember to accurately measure the area you intend to install any oil cooler,
and leave lots of room for the connecting high pressure oil feed & return lines and access to connect them.
Those oil temps are important Grumpy.
 
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With a V8 in your small engine compartment, there is not a lot of room left for air flow.
Meaning that even if you can get sufficient air to flow through the radiator core, it has to be able to escape somewhere, usually under the car.
Your engine is like having a brick wall right in front of that air.

Cooling 3rd Gen F-bodies (Camaro, Firebird, TransAm) is very similar.
I don't know if a Vega ever came with a deflector attached at the edge of the lower radiator support to help direct air through the radiator, instead of just flowing straight under the car. See if yours is missing, or fabricate one for yourself and try it.

BUM-8-3.jpg corp_0711_13_z+c5_corvette_inspection+debris_in_condenser_radiator.jpg

Other things to check for are - wrong rotation fan blade, incorrect reverse rotation water pump installed where a standard rotation belongs or vice-versa, bad thermostat, lower hose has no spring and is collapsing, bad radiator cap, no or ineffective fan shroud..........
 
Other things to check for are - wrong rotation fan blade, incorrect reverse rotation water pump installed where a standard rotation belongs or vice-versa, bad thermostat, lower hose has no spring and is collapsing, bad radiator cap, no or ineffective fan shroud..........

all valid suggestions,
as are.
defective water pump,
radiator fins full of trash
leaking head gasket,
low oil level,
clogged exhaust,
too much ignition advance.
your radiator should ideally have 1.5-2 square inches of surface area
for every cubic inch of displacement
 
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