champion radiator dimensions

[Carter Boad]

Does anyone here have first hand experience with champion radiator tank dimensions?

 

The stock radiator in my bluebird failed so to get back on the road quickly I replaced it with a 3 (or 4?) row champion 510 radiator I had in my garage that we pulled from our racecar.  The tanks are so thick that it *barely* fit between the core support and the engine fan.  When I accelerate the fan hits the tanks.  Lightly but still…

 

Does the 2 row radiator have thinner tanks?

 

I realize I could swap to an electric fan but for now – I want to maintain the stock-ish solution.

 

I would say that the existing radiator over cools the motor so going to a 2 row should not be detrimental and I’d like the fan clearance back – if that is the answer.

 

I have a query in with Champion through their ebay store but if one of you has the answer, I can order today instead of waiting ‘till next week for them to get back to me – if they do at all.

 

The existing tank is about 2 5/8” thick – maybe 2 3/4" at the weld bead.

 

Thanks all!

 

--carter

[David Patten]

Carter,

I don't have any experience with the Champion radiator. Never heard of stock fan clearance issues before, but prior posts indicate the lower hose fitting is close to the alternator and the alternator "fan" can hit the hose. Did you have any issues in this area?

My experience is with KoyoRad direct replacement radiators. It fits with a stock fan. No issues with the hoses fitting properly, but I did need to use a couple washers at the upper mounting holes to space it out so there was clearance between the radiator support and upper tank. I use them on both my race cars, one has an LZ23 that I hillclimb. No over heating issues, including multiple entries at the Mount Washington Hill Climb. 

Dave Patten, Owner

FutoFab, LLC

199 Stark Hwy So

Dunbarton, NH 03046-4411

www.FutoFab.com

email - Fut...@gsinet.net

Telephone - (603) 774-6964

Facebook - FutoFab LLC

---

From: "510 List" <blueb...@googlegroups.com>
To: "510 List" <blueb...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, February 8, 2026 6:01:00 PM
Subject: [Bluebird510] champion radiator dimensions

--
--
NOTICE!!!!
 
All emails will be sent to the author of this message. If you want to send this message to the group simply add this address to the "To" field in your email client blueb...@googlegroups.com .

---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Bluebird510" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to bluebird510...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/bluebird510/DS4PR17MB7553744B46A33DD790AA7DEBA064A%40DS4PR17MB7553.namprd17.prod.outlook.com.

[nandjm...@bellsouth.net]

I have used several Champion Radiators.

 

Most of the time I have to strap them to a milling machine table and bend the entire thing by the corners to remove the factory provided ½” of twist. If the radiator is not actually flat it can cause interference problems.

 

Nathan

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/bluebird510/1415741596.10161758.1770647448810.JavaMail.zimbra%40gsinet.net.