1990 Burb radiator replacement

[CHANROB]

I am needing to replace my radiator for my 1990 2500 Suburban 4X4 5.7L. I was wondering if anyone might have any suggestions? I live and drive locally in So. Cali., so the temp is mostly in the 60- 80 degree range. I see there are plastic ones, which dont sound very bomb proof to me, but I have never replaced a radiator before, so I dont really even know where to begin. By the way, my current radiator has a tiny pinhole (stop leak products are not an option), and I was wondering if this might be the cause of my temp gauge to be fluctuating from 210 (mid range) to 260 (red line/overheat)? I have yet to overheat, but I dont like the redlinning! Thanks in advance. Rob, 40, So. Ca.

[jjmorrse]

What size is your radiator? On the surround there are two " ridges" that hold the rad in on the driver side. Is yours the wide or narrow radiator?
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[CHANROB]

Thank you for your reply/interest. The radiator, which I am assuming is stock is about 1 9/16" thick, 29 1/8" Width (33" if you include the tanks), 20 1/4" from top to bottom. Also, would I be doing myself any favors in increasing the size of the rad? It also has only the trany cooler. The oilcooler is in a vvery small radiator located horizontally under the rad. Thanks again!

[motornut]

I'd have to go measure to compare size
for a rad yes i'm sure bigger is better in Cali

[Edahall]

Originally Posted by CHANROB

Thank you for your reply/interest. The radiator, which I am assuming is stock is about 1 9/16" thick, 29 1/8" Width (33" if you include the tanks), 20 1/4" from top to bottom. Also, would I be doing myself any favors in increasing the size of the rad? It also has only the trany cooler. The oilcooler is in a vvery small radiator located horizontally under the rad. Thanks again!

Yes you would be doing yourself a favor especially if you do any heavy towing. If so, I would recommend installing a radiator out of a 6.2 diesel Suburban. They're about twice as thick and provide much better cooling. I use my 1990 Suburban for towing up to 10,000 lbs and without the larger capacity radiator, I would be overheating on every mountain pass. With the large radiator, I don't have to worry about it.

[iluvmy72]

I use my 1990 Suburban for towing up to 10,000 lbs

You know they now make big rigs for that kind of application....lol....right on man....which rear dif do you have?

[68Timber]

In that climate and use, I don't see any reason not to replace it with a new stock replacement or get yours rodded out and rebuilt.

[Edahall]

Originally Posted by iluvmy72

You know they now make big rigs for that kind of application....lol....right on man....which rear dif do you have?

My Suburban has a 3.73 rear end. The engine bay is stuffed with a Cummins 6BT and a 6 speed manual NV5600 along with a Gear Vendors for better cruising. The truck doesn't even break a sweat with 10,000 lbs behind it.