New radiator questions

[charliew250]

I have just purchased a replacement radiator for my 91 w250 from Radiator World. The radiator part number is cu1198 made by Performance Radiator and is manufactured in Thailand. The over all size and location of the brackets are a good match. My concern is whether the new rad. will cool as good as the OEM radiator as the tubes in the core of the new radiator are a little smaller than in the stock one. This makes the over all thickness of the core about 1/2" thinner plus the top hose neck reduces about a 1/2" where it atatches to the tank. Does anyone have experince with this or can offer an opinon.

 

[OKish]

I have just purchased a replacement radiator for my 91 w250 from Radiator World. The radiator part number is cu1198 made by Performance Radiator and is manufactured in Thailand. The over all size and location of the brackets are a good match. My concern is whether the new rad. will cool as good as the OEM radiator as the tubes in the core of the new radiator are a little smaller than in the stock one. This makes the over all thickness of the core about 1/2" thinner plus the top hose neck reduces about a 1/2" where it atatches to the tank. Does anyone have experince with this or can offer an opinon.

the thermostat con only flow so much, definately less than the new rad can flow.

 

[Greenleaf]

I know from the farm tractor industry that the # of tubes and the material of construction has the most to do with the cooling capacity. Deere had at one time switch brands of radiators and the new material wasn't doing the job.

 

[RSwoyer]

My truck has the exact same radiator... can't tell you how it cools differently from the stock one, though. It was in the truck when I bought it. I have never had any issues with it with towing or anything, but I don't tow any really heavy weights compared to what some of these guys are towing on here...

 

[Sri Ram]

Just re-cored my radiator last month…No noticable cooling difference with new core when unloaded. Haven't towed with it yet. The old core was almost completely coked up with mineral deposits, but never had any trouble with overheating. Old core holes were half the size of the new ones, and new core has more of them. New core came from Canada. Priced a new rad from Thailand at around $300. Re-core was $500. They say you get what you pay for…

 

[dpuckett]

I've towed with their radiators, Didnt have any issues til the fan bearing puked in Terre Hautte one night. The new radiator I ordered to replace it looked identical to the one that got eaten up. I still have the new radiator, (sold the truck); waiting for a clear weekend (and feeling up to it) to put it in the 92.



Daniel

 

[Moab4x4]

Me too

I hope it works well as I just got mine UPS and have yet to put it in.

My lower neck was protruding from the box and was a little dinged but not too bad. There was a little area where the fins had been bent over but again, not too bad. For the price... We'll see long term

One thing I noticed on the box that the lifetime guarantee was only valid if you could prove that you drained the previous cooling system and replaced the fluid with 50/50 antifreeze/ DISTILLED water. How do you prove that if you do it yourself????

I guess I better save the receipt for the distilled water.



BTW, I would kind of keep an eye on the lower radiator neck if you see lots of rough roads. The original radiator on my truck that saw lots of dirt roads failed at the neck/tank joint. I think that is what caused the demise of the motor.

That joint had been repaired, but the repair failed on me. The flange of the tank that is soldered/brazed to the neck actually broke from fatigue.



Ken

 

[charliew250]

Thanks for input. I'm going to put it in on monday. The old radiator has been leaking for awhile but has gotten worse in the last couple of weeks. cw

 

[dpuckett]

Save your recepit for the distilled water, antifreeze, and flush'em stuff if you choose.



-DP

 

[Sri Ram]

BTW, I would kind of keep an eye on the lower radiator neck if you see lots of rough roads. The original radiator on my truck that saw lots of dirt roads failed at the neck/tank joint.

That's why I had mine out. It's definitely a weak spot. Still it was well out of warranty Had the rad shop beef up that area before reassembly. We'll see how it lasts…