How to make a 24 inch Radiator fit in a Classic Mustang

As I continue to prep the engine bay for the new motor build, I wanted to add a larger radiator for extra cooling capacity.
Champion Radiator - 24 Inch - amzn.to/3WYhnCW
1999 Ford Contour V6 Electric Radiator Fan - amzn.to/3YF9XG9
Fan pigtail (need 2 plugs) - amzn.to/3E4zHBY
Check out me new website for parts and merch that I am selling - krusebuilt.com/
The car is a 1966 Mustang Fastback with a factory V8 and T5 transmission.
Shot with GoPro Hero 9 with the Media Mod, edited on Davinci Resolve 17.
Want to help support this channel, you can "buy me a coffee", check it out! www.buymeacoffee.com/krusebuilt
Credit for the music in the video:
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Epidemic Sound
Try it today! www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
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#krusebuilt
#kruseview
#Mustang
#1966
#fastback

[@kennethabrazee3540]

You cannot get this kind of information from your average garage. Andy you show real world problems with real world solutions. Thank you

[@AndyKruseChannel]

I appreciate that. Now I don’t want to let you down. 😁

[@elvispresley3340]

Glad to see a guard on a cutting wheel - so many NUMBNUTS risk 'life & limb' using a cutting wheel without a guard. CHEERS from AUSTRALIA.

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Thanks 👍

[@heathhenderson7217]

Lots of discussion on this topic, handful of pics shared but your the first to show a step by step process. Thank you sir

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Awesome, thanks for the support! :)

[@SmackeysGarage]

Nice mod. The 24" radiator is a great upgrade for these older cars especially if you are going for a larger or more high performance engine.

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Thanks brotha!

[@Mustangshow67]

Good work, Not that much work on my 67 to do this but it is great with a shroud, I installed a 24" radiator and I run a 14" and a 12"fans off a Flexalite probe setup. Even with AC in Texas I have no problems for 12 years now.

[@AndyKruseChannel]

AC, no that's something I'd like to add. :)

[@TehShawns]

I used a very similar setup on my 68 but I just threaded bolts through the radiator mounts and welded them to the core support instead. Figured it'd make it one less tool/thing to keep track of if I removed in the future. Cooling setup has no problem keeping a small block at bay. Really happy with it.

[@AndyKruseChannel]

I thought about the bolt thing, but my fan shroud is a pinch too small for that to work. 😀

[@Glens1965]

Good work Buddy!

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Thanks!

[@rogjackson]

I agree with waiting for the final mount details to be ironed out after engine installation. Other adjustments may be necessary anyway. Sweet looking aluminum radiator though. Nice work Andy!

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Thanks! Hopefully everything goes to plan when I put the motor in. 😁

[@stevenl378]

Very helpful thank you answered questions I didn't know I need to ask yet Haha 👍👍👍

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Happy to help!

[@jasonmartin3587]

Wow. You’re up to 7k subs! Great info, as always.

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Thanks! It's great that more people are finding the channel, I just hope they can find the same value that a lot of you early followers have found. :)

[@mikebroszczak5767]

Nice upgrade

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Thanks!

[@MrJoea11]

Making it look easy. 😊

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Nah, it's just the fancy editing I did. :)

[@patwelter5092]

When I cut my core support open for a larger radiator, I used a 22" Mopar radiator. Inlet/outlet are staggered, so that worked out great. The fan from a Ford Taurus fit the radiator core perfectly. Cools great, and the fan works flawlessly. Looks like your setup will work quite nicely. Perhaps you could fab up "Z brackets to attach to the body of the fan rather than the sides. Great job.

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Great tip!

[@cesarramos7918]

Which radiator did you buy? My mustang needs this exact set up.

[@raptorjesus99]

Great video! I did this. You should toss the regulator. You need to upgrade that alternator for the dual fans.

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Alternator already upgraded, there’s a video on that if you’re interested.

[@Titan-uy1qy]

Awesome!

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@LeeFred78]

Running an aftermarket stock sized radiator to keep a built 331 cool here in Arizona. Stock type water pump, thermal clutch fan, and a factory shroud keeps everything flowing.

[@AndyKruseChannel]

That’s good to know. 😃

[@classicstangbrn8964]

I went 30" go big or go home also I used a cross flow design. If you upgrade the alternator you can ditch the voltage reg; 1 wire or 3g.

[@AndyKruseChannel]

I looked into larger Rads, I think the 24 is going to suit my needs. :)

[@classicstangbrn8964]

I agree 24 will work great I put them in a lot of cars shouldn't have any over heating problems in that respect.

[@williamdozier5190]

wind lace would work for covering the sharp edges

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Possibly, but that stuff is thicker and more rigid than what I used.

[@leovargas3013]

The 68-69 Ford Torino has an option for a wider radiator, it uses mounts that attach at the top and bottom with rubber cushions and steel brackets. Could be an option. All parts available from AutoKrafters and Mac auto parts.

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Good to know. :)

[@ILoveToMTB]

Great video. Thanks for the info. Can you say how thick the radiator is & how thick the fan is? I'm wondering about clearance issues in my application.

[@AndyKruseChannel]

The thickest point is about 5-3/8" (about 4-3/4" where the fan motor is not in the way), but that's where the fan motor is. Since there are two fans, they're offset from the middle, so something like the water pump pulley has more clearance since the fan motors are not at that location like where there's a single fan (like what I had before). Also, please note that I cut some of the core support out, so the radiator sits a farther from the engine, making more room than before. :)

[@hemlock911]

Great info and video! I have been planning a larger radiator swap. Did the upper and lower radiator hoses work or were others needed?

[@AndyKruseChannel]

The stock hoses for my '66 fit. The inlet and outlet of the radiator is essentially in the same location (relative to the engine) despite the radiator being wider. This allows the use of the stock hoses to be used. :)

[@tfalcon1428]

I have the same radiator MCC 338 in a 1964 falcon & 1965 mustang what I did for the mustang was buy another radiator core support cut in 1/2 Move the parts right and left to make a bigger opening where it looks factory but just a bigger opening . Can bolt in also as well as weld in

[@tfalcon1428]

After you can bolt radiator like normal

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Hmmm, seems like more work. :)

[@tfalcon1428]

Wish I could send a picture , it is work but better in the end just saying

[@wolfthornhawkridge5705]

Radiator cap will clear, however, if you got the Champion radiator do not use the radiator cap cover they send with it. It sits up just high enough with the cap cover on a 65-6 to make the hood not close good. Also, your system should run 10 to 15 degrees cooler.

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Cool. This Rad did not come with the cap you are describing, but I did get one for my last car.

[@tfalcon1428]

Mine works great with no problem

[@elbronco5532]

Great videos andy any results reviews where it runs with mod set up,?

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Sorry Boss, I'm not understanding the question.

[@elbronco5532]

@@AndyKruseChannel 24 inch rad upgrade what's ur temperature in stop and go traffic on new fastback project

[@AndyKruseChannel]

@@elbronco5532 I don't think I've ever seen it get to 200 degrees. :)

[@mdean73022]

FYI I installed a Ron Davis radiator it is 26" wide. Alot of work but seems to work.

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Yeah, there's a lot of good radiators out there, one for everyone's build. :)

[@chrisdavis4545]

What amp relay did you use? What awg wire did you use? I'm reading answers all over the place on a Google search. My engine compartment is getting cluttered with relays so i was looking at relay boxes on Amazon and most come with 40amp relays and 12 awg wire if you get the pre wired ones.

[@AndyKruseChannel]

40A relays and 12AWG wire is sufficient for your application. However, you should also put fuses inline for your fan(s) as they can be very power hungry and it's easier to replace a fuse instead of melted wiring or a blown relay. :)

[@BigFish6161]

Now that you've had the 24" radiator for a few months, what do you think of upgrade? has it been helpful?

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Yes, the 24" Rad and dual electric fan combo brings the temps down fast. I haven't had it through a Summer yet, so we'll see this year how she does. :)

[@pauls7751]

Did you have this in mind when you moved the battery to the e trunk?

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Yes. (where's the evil smile emoji?) :)

[@robroyce6845]

modding a radiator core for oversize radiator is crucial nfo...tbh

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Ok

[@mdean73022]

How did your radiator work after you ran it ..

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Absolutely. Was just driving yesterday where it was 90 degrees out and I did not see the temp go about 185. It was glorious. :)

[@mdean73022]

Thanks for your reply.@@AndyKruseChannel

[@ivanmontellano4871]

What part number on the radiator

[@AndyKruseChannel]

CC338

[@jenngiogarcia7284]

What is the height of that radiator?

[@AndyKruseChannel]

About 20.75 inches.

[@jenngiogarcia7284]

@@AndyKruseChannel part number? Manufacturer?

[@AndyKruseChannel]

@@jenngiogarcia7284 I put a link in the description of the video. I do that for all my videos. :)

[@jenngiogarcia7284]

@@AndyKruseChannel no issues with clearance for the hood?

[@AndyKruseChannel]

@@jenngiogarcia7284 Nope, no issues, everything has been great since I installed this radiator. :)

[@RNG_Anarchist]

Cold case could have saved you a shit tone of time man there kit might be expensive but God it makes it simple

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Yeah, there's lots of ways of doing things and lots of kits to try. :)