Radiator Replacement?

[cardana24]

Hey guys, I heard a hissing noise under my hood today on my 94 factory turbo truck, so I popped the hood and I have a small leak on the top of my radiator. Do you all have any recommendations on a replacement radiator? I was thinking about having my factory one repaired but it looks like I can get an all aluminum unit for just over $200 on ebay...is it worth fixing the stock radiator? I appreciate any advice.

Here is an example of what I am seeing on ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-New-3...50&vxp=mtr&hash=item5d322dfa73#ht_4562wt_1270

 

[OLDBULL8]

Several members have bought them. The only problem I've heard, is that they are packed poorly for shipping and they came bent up.

 

[cardana24]

Is there a popular replacement brand? I tried searching but I am only getting results from the past day or two....I am guessing this had been covered before, but I am not able to search for it.

 

['94IDITurbo7.3]

i got my champion rad damaged. i ended up getting a Sila radiator from a local performance shop. it is 100% alluminum and works GREAT. it was the same price as the champ rad as well. the only difference was the silla rad did not come to me damaged.

 

[CDX825]

Here is the thread from before.

http://www.oilburners.net/forums/showthread.php?51034-Aluminum-Radiators-On-the-Cheap

 

[cardana24]

Thanks for that link. It was helpful.

I ended up ordering an American Eagle radiator from Monster Radiator. It is p/n AE1165. I found another one that was the same brand but another p/n and a little bit cheaper (it is p/n AE1193). AE1165 seemed to be the more common one listed for our trucks so that's the one I went with. I'll report back once I get it in.

 

[icanfixall]

The champion radiator is the one that is poorly packaged. I don't have any info on the american or any of the other aluminum rads. I have the Rodney Red aluminum and its really well built. Its also costly around $650.00 delivered..

 

[cardana24]

The champion radiator is the one that is poorly packaged. I don't have any info on the american or any of the other aluminum rads. I have the Rodney Red aluminum and its really well built. Its also costly around $650.00 delivered..

I just got shipment confirmation on mine, so hopefully it is not all beat up....time will tell.

 

[cardana24]

how many gallons of coolant is normally used when changing the radiator? I am just going to replace what is lost during the change (draining the radiator) because my coolant only has about 10k miles on it.

 

['94IDITurbo7.3]

how many gallons of coolant is normally used when changing the radiator? I am just going to replace what is lost during the change (draining the radiator) because my coolant only has about 10k miles on it.

i bought 5 gallons of zerex go5 and 5 gallons of distilled water. i think the system calls for 4 gallons of each. i just wanted to have some extra.

 

[TWeatherford]

how many gallons of coolant is normally used when changing the radiator? I am just going to replace what is lost during the change (draining the radiator) because my coolant only has about 10k miles on it.

I'm pretty sure most of it is going to drain out on you while you swap the radiators out. 8 gallons total capacity. There's no reason why you couldn't drain into a clean container, though, and refill with the old stuff when done.

 

[icanfixall]

Is the old stuf mixed with distilled water... If not drain it and save it for another car or truck. Use the block drains to get it all out too.

 

[cardana24]

Is the old stuf mixed with distilled water... If not drain it and save it for another car or truck. Use the block drains to get it all out too.

yeah it is. I caught most of it when I drained the radiator last night. The replacement radiator came in yesterday and it looks really good. It is not beat up like the guys that got the Champion radiator. I hope to finish the job tonight so I will be able to comment on the fit later. At this point I have only taken the old radiator out...which prooved to be much harder than I was hoping...it would have gone much faster if I would have just taken the fan clutch off....I only unbolted the fan from the clutch.

 

[bike-maker]

I left the fan in place. Just took the shroud off, laid it over the fan, then loosened the radiator and pulled it straight up and out.
My champion radiator did fit well, though not quite as good as an original radiator. The holes for the shroud were slightly off, but since it's just plastic, a little muscle and it went right together.

 

[cardana24]

okay, I worked on it a little more tonight and I ran into a snag. The bung that they welded in for the fitting for the block heater passage on the bottom of the radiator is too small. Does any one know the thread size on the coolant passage fitting? I guess I am going to try a brass adapter.