G-plus radiator

[savage54]

G-plus 2 core radiator

Has anyone put this radiator in their truck? seems pretty cheap for a all aluminum radiator. http://www.ebay.com/itm/For-1994-20...uminum-Radiator-/232333664179?fits=Make:Dodge

 

[BigPapa]

You're killing me......

 

[savage54]

You're killing me......

I'm waiting on parts from Genos Garage, some power steering hoses, and the radiator is the last item .Waiting on a refund from Summit racing ,from the bad radiators I got from them. So just looking at options, before buying another radiator. The trucks pretty much done (KDP AND NEW SEAL IN VACUUM PUMP) Just need the steering hoses and then radiator.

 

[GAmes]

It looks good on paper, that's for sure. If it really performs as advertised I'd get one, I'm less than satisfied with the Spectra I have from Rock Auto. I also like the aluminum tanks. Care to be the Guinea pig?

 

[BigPapa]

What problems have you had with your Spectra, Gary?

 

[GAmes]

The first one leaked after about 5000 miles and it's replacement just doesn't cool as well as I think it should. Neither of them fit just right, which leads me to believe the plastic tank on the one I have will detach itself sooner rather than later. The big test will be later this summer while towing across the western deserts and mountains. Even with the current low 80s my fan clutch spends a lot of time engaged.

 

[savage54]

It looks good on paper, that's for sure. If it really performs as advertised I'd get one, I'm less than satisfied with the Spectra I have from Rock Auto. I also like the aluminum tanks. Care to be the Guinea pig?

I'm leaning towards this radiator, because it's tanks are welded on and the Spectra from summit seemed to be poorly made and they were packed poorly, besides having damaged drain plugs . So I may be your Guinea pig ,will see:-laf.

 

[Missouri Mule]

My Mechanic put a aluminum radiator in Mule last year if I recall correctly he charged me 275( the original one seal started to leak on drivers side several years ago. The leak was getting hard to keep up with.

 

[NIsaacs]

it's replacement just doesn't cool as well as I think it should.

I think you are on to something here. I have been blaming everything but the radiator for my overheating issues. Since the replacement (Spectra) looks like the oem I never gave it a thought. I have changed the T-stat, water pump (twice) and the fan clutch (Mopar) and still gets hot on a hot day. It never used to.

I hauled 2 Vans to Phoenix this Saturday and Sunday and even on the return trip, just empty trailer, on all the grades I am in the 215-220 range. It was hot (99*) but it never used to do this. For the past 3 years I have to baby it during the summer, ever since the radiator change. I wonder if the core tubes are different, not as efficient somehow. I think they are both 2 core.

Nick

 

[savage54]

The first radiator is a two row designed, their is a three row design for a little more from a company in California. http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-3-Rows-...ash=item210d8f8b6f:g:JpsAAOSwbqpTwy8e&vxp=mtr

 

[GAmes]

Because I don't put a priority on taking scrap metal to the yard I still have the original radiator. It is a three row. When it sprang a leak I bought a Dodge replacement, also in the scrap pile. It is a two row and was a disappointment, especially because it sprang a leak in less than half the miles the original had but also because it didn't cool well. The original, the replacement and the Spectral are all within 1/8th inch of the same width. The thicker 3 row in the previous post sounds inviting.

 

[savage54]

Because I don't put a priority on taking scrap metal to the yard I still have the original radiator. It is a three row. When it sprang a leak I bought a Dodge replacement, also in the scrap pile. It is a two row and was a disappointment, especially because it sprang a leak in less than half the miles the original had but also because it didn't cool well. The original, the replacement and the Spectral are all within 1/8th inch of the same width. The thicker 3 row in the previous post sounds inviting.

I have the original that came with the truck and its also a three row.I have read that the two row with the real wide slits, should be equal to the three row, but I'm not convinced.This is pic of the original that came with the truck, wish the radiator shop could have fixed it.

 

[GAmes]

No one around here will work on radiators with plastic tanks either, another reason to go with the all aluminum.

 

[savage54]

So I went a head and bought the 3-Rows-Aluminum-Radiator for $220, should arrive Tuesday. I'll give you a up date and pics, on fit, finish and how well it works.http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-3-Rows-...02-Aluminum-Radiator-/141961431919?rmvSB=true

 

[GAmes]

Thank you, I was hoping someone would. I'll be double towing the RV & boat next week, temps are forecast to be in the 90s so my Spectra will get a work out.

 

[The patriot]

I'm watching this for results.
My original radiator has been fine, but it does run around 190 when towing on a hot day.
Been trying to get the time to pull it & clean out the fins....

 

[savage54]

So I got my radiator today, not bad quality , three core,you will have to reuse your upper and lower rubber mounts, it comes with a cheap radiator cap, I thing I'll replace it with a good cap, had to modified my fan shroud, the old radiator had two slots on the bottom edge for the shroud to sit on, the new radiator did not have the slots, so I drilled two small holes , and attached it that way , plus you have to get new bolts for the shroud because the stock bolts are to long. The fit is OK , luckily the bolts are small and the grommet's have enough room to get the bolts started. I have not run the truck yet, may do it next week, had my Son's Graduation Monday, back doctor today ,my other son wedding rehearsal Thursday / dinner and wedding on Saturday. Then father's day car show Sunday, busy week, I'm lucky I got the radiator and shroud in today, only have hoses, over flow tank , wiper fluid tank and fluid, to do before start up.:-laf Here are some pics of the radiator.

 

[savage54]

Here's a couple more pic's.

 

[The patriot]

The welds look...meh. Functional.
I like how it appears to have some heft to it. That's a plus. Especially now days.
I'm hoping it cools at least as well as a factory.
Mine has been fine, it is however almost 20 years old afterall...

 

[fest3er]

I'm watching this for results.
My original radiator has been fine, but it does run around 190 when towing on a hot day.
Been trying to get the time to pull it & clean out the fins....

190° on a hot day? I'd say it's cooling very well. Were it running 220°-230° and the fan clutch rarely engages, I'd suspect the t-stat (not enough coolant reaches the radiator for the heat to be rejected).

If the fan clutch is often engaged, either there is sufficient heat leaving the radiator to engage it, or the clutch is the wrong temp or is failing. That is, if the truck is empty and at highway speed, I might not expect the fan clutch to engage. Around town, it should engage now and again. Hauling or towing heavy, I would expect the fan clutch to engage a lot more. Listen to big trucks and large cars; their fans can be heard a half mile away at any speed when the engine is working hard. But even those fans turn off when there's little heat to reject.