We all know that choosing the right radiator for your classic musclecar plays a crucial role in just how efficient your vehicle will perform on the street. And unless you are planning on doing a complete restoration using all the original parts, chances are you are going to want to find the right aftermarket radiator that will keep up with the demands of your custom build.

But even if you have found the perfect radiator to fit your needs, would you be able to identify and troubleshoot if there is a problem with the cooling system before you install the new part? This can often be a frustrating and time-consuming process for many of us.

Our friends at Champion Cooling have put together a series of YouTube videos that will help walk you through the process of identifying and troubleshooting many of the common cooling system problems.

Champion Cooling is one of the leading manufacturers of high-quality and affordable musclecar, hot rod, classic car, and truck radiators. They know that coming up with an organized approach to troubleshooting your vehicle’s cooling system failure will help identify the problem quickly.

The video above breaks down the three most common causes of engine overheating: engine efficiency, airflow blockage, and coolant flow issues.

Regarding engine efficiency, if your vehicle’s ignition system is not working properly, incorrect timing may be causing your build to run above optimum temperature. Although this alone will probably not cause a catastrophic failure in your cooling system, when you combine this problem with other issues, it can cause your engine to run a little hotter.

Having a problem like an airflow blockage or coolant flow leaks will cause your engine to work harder than it needs to, eventually leading to overheating issues. Making sure you have the optimum distance between the fan and the radiator will also ensure that the air is efficiently flowing through the radiator and not around it.

Champion Cooling also recommends not using any additives to help plug small leaks. It’s always better to find and fix the leak properly to prevent future problems down the road. Remember: these products are designed to plug small holes, but your entire radiator is made up of “small holes” to transfer fluid from one tank to the other.

Of course, if you find yourself in the middle of nowhere with no other option, adding a fluid to stop leaks is just a temporary fix to get you back to civilization in one piece. But always get your radiator to a shop to repair it properly should this situation occur.

The Champion Cooling website and YouTube channel have a variety of different videos that will not only help with identifying your vehicle’s cooling issues but will also walk you through the proper steps for correctly installing the right aftermarket cooling products to keep your project running cold.

For more information on the full line of Champion Cooling System products, visit the official Champion Cooling website.