Cooling system upgrade time

[HS108]

I had originally planned on redoing the interior work this Fall, and I may still get to it, but my water pump got jealous and said me first, so he started leaking coolant lol

I’ve been wanting to redo my cooling system, and replace my radiator as well, so it forced my hand.

I went with the Champion CC1165 3 row alum rad, ordered from Jegs ( other than getting an insane amount of emails from them now) happy with my first order from em.

Went with an ACdelco premium water pump, ordered from rock auto and it was the only brand I really trusted on there, besides gates.

Got a new Motorcraft thermostat as well.

I have a coolant filter set up, plus a heater valve for max AC, not sure if I’m gonna get it installed this go around, but would like to.

While I’m in here I also want to replace the front main seal. I believe it’s leaking. As it’s coated up front.

Waiting for the front main seal parts now, I never think of everything when I order for a project lol

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[HS108]

I need to rent a puller for the balancer in the front, and buy all the hoses that I need to replace.

Ill be flushing the system today best I can, Already pulled the 2 plugs on the block and took a green bath, gonna more distilled water in to flush it a bit, and gonna flush the heater core best I can

 

[DirtyWood]

I think NAPA sells an inexpensive harmonic balancer puller for about $20--I bought it to use as a steering wheel puller. I would consider replacing the heater core too unless you are confident it is in decent shape. Last year I replaced every component of the cooing system and I like the peace of mind that I've done all I can to ensure reliability in that area. After draining coolant and two distilled flushes I was surprised how much sediment/debris was still in the system. I installed an inline filter, mesh screen type, in one of the heater hoses just to check on things after doing all the work and it filed up rather quickly with sandy grit. I think flushing is good but based on my own experience there is no substitute for a good coolant filter.

And hopefully your front seal isn't leaking. I once had an issue where I thought it was maybe the front seal but after replacing the lift pump the oil leak stopped. Maybe the bottom two waterpump bolts are leaking? FWIW I used Gasoila thread sealant on everything and, knock on wood, no leaks so far.

 

[HS108]

Update:

Not a lot of progress today sadly, I got caught up on the fact that the heater hose nipple on the bottom of the rad doesn't fit. ( I know you dont need it persay, but I want it) I ordered the adaptor to fit it. The plan is to bypass it for now, then when the adaptor arrives I will drain the rad, and pop it in, then Tee in the hose, fill it back up)

I went and got all new heater hose, I bought 15ft (dont ask lol) because I apparently cant measure for crap.

I also decided against the front main seal. First I think it may have been the bottom water pump bolts leaking, Secondly I have while I was under there I noticed I have leaks all over the place, so why am i gonna fix just one. One day ill pull the motor and do it right, until then a few drips aint gonna kill me.

Hopefully I can update with success tomorrow night, Ill post more pics then too

 

[DirtyWood]

If you reinstall that brass heater hose nipple in an aluminum rad you might want to coat the threads with something to slow down the galvanic corrosion. I thought about reusing that brass fitting when I replaced the rad but didn't want to take the chance mixing metals.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

I bought 15ft (dont ask lol) because I apparently cant measure for crap.

So now you have extra. No big deal there.

 

[HS108]

Ya about 8 feet extra lol

I like to give myself wiggle room, but I miss calculated that the hose going down to the lower radiator is 1/2 not 5/8.

I’m happy to say the water pump, new thermostat, and the max AC mod all seems to be operating normal no major leaks.

I also installed all new transmission cooler lines to the radiator and my auxiliary cooler with new clamps and filter which seem to be doing well. I finally got rid of all the mixed match clamp sizes I had and now have a nice standard clamp throughout.

It’s too early to tell if my front main seal is leaking, but I do know that my oil cooler is leaking pretty decent, but I know that’s an involved job. One at a time lol

I forgot to take pictures today as I went, but I will post some of the finished product. I still need to top off the cooling system. I added 6 gallons total so far

 

[03wr250f]

there is always time for a upgraded fan and/or fan clutch while replacing cooling system components
shameless plug!
[email protected]

 

[DirtyWood]

Weird that you would need 1/2 inch for that lower hose since mine was original and definitely 5/8. When I replaced my setup I still had the factory tee with crimped hoses.

 

[Nero]

Your radiator you went with, 4 core?

 

[HS108]

there is always time for a upgraded fan and/or fan clutch while replacing cooling system components
shameless plug!
[email protected]

Thanks I had seen your posts on FB, and thought about it. I just do dump runs and home depot stuff with my truck these days, If I hauled heavy or lived somewhere south I would probably pick one up honestly.

Weird that you would need 1/2 inch for that lower hose since mine was original and definitely 5/8. When I replaced my setup I still had the factory tee with crimped hoses.

Same, but mine is definitely reduced down to 1/2.

Your radiator you went with, 4 core?

3 Core, I dont tow heavy, so couldnt justify the extra money when I knew a 3 core would do just fine

 

[DirtyWood]

Even the 2-core aluminum ones work well. 10 years on a NAPA/Spectra with plastic tanks and zero problems.

 

[HS108]

Even the 2-core aluminum ones work well. 10 years on a NAPA/Spectra with plastic tanks and zero problems.

anything had to be better than, what I had. I would have liked to have my old one cleaned and redone, but for 310 bucks, makes it hard to justify.

 

[HS108]

Final Update:

Project is done, had one leak at the firewall going into the heater core, switched from factory style clamp to a worm gear style, and seems to solved it.

Looking back, I would have ordered a nice upgraded water pump gasket with the silicone bead seal on it, so I didnt have to mess with RTV. I also would have installed petcocks into the block drains like I have seen mentioned on the forum, but didnt understand the reason behind it at the time. Now I do.

My front main seal seems to be doing fine (think the leak was from the bottom water pump bolt)

My oil cooler on the other hand is in bad shape, leaking pretty heavy. I am going to have to address this sooner than later I think. I of course am now going to have to drain the coolant to tackle this, so now I see the benefit of the petcocks in the block, so I can control the flow better, vs taking a coolant bath.

I also installed the max ac mod, seems to be working ok. It loops the coolant and bypasses the heater core, by Tee'n into the vacuum to the blend door.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

so now I see the benefit of the petcocks in the block, so I can control the flow better, vs taking a coolant bath.

The even better thing about the petcocks in the block is that you can slide a piece of 3/8" hose over the petcock drain and direct it right into a container. That way, there's no splashing either. The same thing can be done with the one in the radiator as well.