I have a new 318 running in my '73 swinger (904 trans w/ stock high stall, mild cam). I put a 22" dodge radiator in it with a fixed 7 blade mopar fan.

Even breaking in the car cools well in easy conditions (40s outside, no extended idling or high rpm) but it gets a little hot (210) spinning 3.73s at 70-80mph and there's no shroud so it doesn't cool well in heavy traffic or in a drive through.

I am thinking about fabricating a shroud for it but I don't want to spend a bunch of time and energy just to find out it's still gonna overheat if I hit summer traffic.

Does anybody else have good luck with the 22" setup? Should I just grab a griffin or champion aluminum rad? How about a nice shroud with a strong electric fan? Of course that would need an upgraded alternator and a relay and ideally a fancy controller module ($$$)

So that's the parts I already have. What has worked for y'all? I don't want to spend $ if I don't have to but this car is mostly a cool beater for my wife to drive so I don't want her having problems.

Thanks

radar

A shroud would be a good place to start. I run a warmed 318, 180 t stat and it runs 180-185 even in 90* weather. Holds good temp even in traffic.

My challenger has a recent recore 22" 2 row with shroud and never ran hot all last summer with a slightly warmed over 383 and 323 gear. From past experience a shroud does help, so I agree try that first.

22" should be plenty. Look on 'bay for a shroud shouldn't cost that much. Also make sure you fan is close enough and you're not running too much timing.

running hot at 70-80 MPH points to partly clogged/inadequate rad assuming the stat is not restricted (not opening all the way) but that's way less likely and you can pull the stat & take it back out & have the ans on that. Around town yes a tight fitting shroud on a 22" rad & a fixed blade metal fan ~2/3 of the way into the backside of the shroud would b the cheapest/simplest. I'm assuming the timing/mixture is in the ballpark. My 318 ('83) in a '65 Dart w an OE rodded out '65 dart 3 core 22"? w a high temp stat (forgot the temp but iirc it's over 200) runs almost too cool so w you I think the rad is somewhat plugged

Thanks for the thoughtful answers. I'll try making a nice shroud before I spend $ on a new radiator or spendy electrical 'upgrades'