Radiator problems

[therabbittree]

Hello there,
My rad in my '89 has a leak forming from the core. . so I'm in the market for a better replacement. . I understand the '89-91 rads are supposed to suck in general any how. So I'd like to upgrade to a better design. . I heard the 91. 5-93 intercooled trucks had a different and improved radiator. . ?. . Also I've been looking to swap in a radiator from another style of truck or box van etc. . I plan on fabricating new mounts and getting rid of the engine mounted fan and running electric any way... Any one have a aluminum aftermarket radiator in a first gen?... After pricing the stock ones at the local autoparts ( I have good discount) it was still in the aluminum radiator range ... Let me know what you guys recommend and prices you've seen. . The bars leak isn't gonna hold forever hehe.
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thanks


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'89 w350 srw 4x4, k&n,
side exit exhaust,
muffler is awol, looking
for more power

 

[Jones]

Hey Rabbittree,
I'm going through the same thing myself. Early rads have the inlet and outlet right over each other so the water tends to "short cycle". The factory fix for that is a thermostat housing with a 180 degree u-turn and a cross-over pipe so the water goes to the far side of the top tank. Got my housing and pipe from a wrecking yard out here and the rad shop I got the new rad from is going to put the later style top tank on, hopefully for cheap. That should fix the problem for me. As far as aluminum units and elec fans, I've never messed with them so I've got no advice that I'd trust to give you. Just make sure on quality and warranties like any other part you would need to depend on. Not like a cheep set of mudflaps where the plastic jewels fall off but you can keep on going.
Good luck, Jones

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Jones
'84 Ramcharger w/CTD, non-gated 12, torqflite, NP205, Dana 60 and 70 w/ 3. 07s. Straight piped 3" to x-member 4" the rest of the way.

 

[Polarbear]

Rabbittree, I have an 89 and installed a '93 radiator in it about 1 year ago. I used all factory parts except for the lower mounts which I had a friend fabricate on his lathe. It cost about $1400 for the complete conversion and I feel it was one of the best mods I have ever done to this truck. Another member sent me a reprint of an old TDR article that has all of teh part numbers and if you search the archives you may find more.

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'89 4X4, Banks intercooled, Banks Powerpack, 727 Auto, 3. 55 gears, GearVendors O/D, full guages, Ramsey winch, Transferflow 50 gal. tank, Alcoa rims, 265/75-16 tires, Chrysler trans cooler, National Spring 2. 5" lift springs, and a few odds and ends

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

I have a 91. 5 crossflow radiator installed, parts needed are 1 new radiator $250, 1 new Fan shroud $19, 1 New Fan Belt, 1 New Fan hub/bearing/bracket from Cummins $225, 2 new upper brackets from Dealer with rubber mounts (forget price), 1 new upper radiator hose. I cut off the old radiator brackets from the radiator support and installed the new radiator and listed parts. If you like I will try to get some photos.
Kyle

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1985 DODGE 1 ton Crew Cab(imported from California with no rust) W/8' box converted to 4X4 in 1999. Converted to a non-intercooled 1991 Cummins Turbo diesel & rebuilt 5 speed Getrag in 2001(wife can't drive a stick . Freshly rebuilt and Balanced Cummins, Rebuilt NP205, Rebuilt Injector pump and tweaked, Matched Injectors, 3" New Mandrel Bent Exhaust,no muffler, Borgeson Steering Shaft, K&N Air Filter, 4:10 gears, limited slip rear end, 16" Goodyear GSA Wranglers, 16K Reese 5th Wheel Hitch,and LE Package and a Sony CD Stereo. Next add-on some “Banks” toys ! If you want to know why I did all of this, 2 kids, one on the way and I can't stand F**d and Ch**y. Kyle Hoover ,Fruitport, MI.

 

[john krmpotic]

I have done the conversion to the crossflow rad in the 1992 model to my 89 and my father-in-laws early 91. This was probably one of the most worthwhile projects a person could do to an early model. It helped tremendously with cooling when towing in the summer. That, in conjunction with the Horton Fan Clutch seemed to do the trick. The only improvement to this would be to use this same rad only in aluminum. I would like to replace mine with an aluminum rad of this same configuration if I can locate someone who sells or would manufacture and sell me one. I feel that this would solve the heating problem for good, even with the HP increases that some of us can't seem to do without. If you would like a listing of the part# for the conversion, write and I will be happy to supply them. I hate to see anyone with power they cannot use for fear of overheating. John Krmpotic

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1989, 4x4,250, 5spd. Banks Intercooler and Exhaust, Corsair fan clutch, Kelderman air ride (Front & Rear), No-spin rear diff. Gear Vendors and all possible mods. to void warrantee

 

[R.E. Miller]

therabbittree,
I have 92's, and am unsure whether or not our radiators are improved, some one else will clarify this here I'm sure. IMHO, if you are going to the trouble to fab mounts, put electric fans, etc. and you need a new radiator anyway, go with a Griffin. My Dad and his friends are into street rodding, the Griffin is the way to go. For what you'll most likely spend on a replacement, you could spend a little more for an aluminum. To put it short, tell the your HP (be honest, but think for the future too!), give them the dimentions, and there you go!
Good luck

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1992 W-350 Club Cab Dually 3. 5" straight pipe(thanks jardine!)
W-350 8' contractors dump with 3. 5"BD exhaust, 16cm^2 housing, DI pyro&boost
Russell