Radiator life expectancy question... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

texascowboy593 · 03-01-2008, 12:16 AM

Just as the title says... My 71's radiator took a dive and it's somewhat rotted out. I have a new one on the way.

I always ran 50/50 in it. It's a 4 core that "looked" new when I bought the truck about 6 years ago. I guess it just seems premature to already crap out on me!

Any thoughts?
Thx!

69rut · 03-01-2008, 01:18 AM

I still have the same radiator in my '57 chevy as the day I bought it back in 1975.

neonlarry · 03-01-2008, 01:20 AM

How ofter do you change the fluid (at least once a yr.)? Do you use distilled water? Do you use an anode?
All of the above will lenghten the life of a radiator.

texascowboy593 · 03-01-2008, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neonlarry

How ofter do you change the fluid (at least once a yr.)? Do you use distilled water? Do you use an anode?
All of the above will lenghten the life of a radiator.

I just did the flush+fill every year. The last 2 years I added Purple Ice but thats the only kind of additive I've used. I guess the radiator was kinda "cheap" LOL

cdowns · 03-01-2008, 03:31 AM

i've had many radiators in use that were between 50-70years old still held water and pressure without problems// as said distelled water is best as alot of city water and well water got funney stuff in it// also modern technology and manufacturing aint all that great

**special-K** · 03-01-2008, 07:31 AM

Quality varies and it`s hard to get it equal to original.

70' GMC · 03-01-2008, 08:03 AM

I had mine patched and it is the original and could not afford 300 to 350 for a radiator. I had it patched for 25.00 and they had it flushed.

03-01-2008, 12:16 AM	#1
texascowboy593 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Southeast Tx Posts: 1,302	Radiator life expectancy question... Just as the title says... My 71's radiator took a dive and it's somewhat rotted out. I have a new one on the way. I always ran 50/50 in it. It's a 4 core that "looked" new when I bought the truck about 6 years ago. I guess it just seems premature to already crap out on me! Any thoughts? Thx! __________________ "The rays of light thru the Shiner Bock bottle make me wanna turn the key and put down the throttle...and get lost down 35" - Jason Boland www.YouTube.com/user/593Films - Watch My Videos! 1977 Silverado K10 2014 Dodge Durango (Wife-mobile) 2008 Dodge Ram Lone Star Edition (Daily driver)

03-01-2008, 01:18 AM	#2
69rut Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: SE Virginia Posts: 158	Re: Radiator life expectancy question... I still have the same radiator in my '57 chevy as the day I bought it back in 1975. __________________ trailers are for boats

03-01-2008, 01:20 AM	#3
neonlarry Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,745	Re: Radiator life expectancy question... How ofter do you change the fluid (at least once a yr.)? Do you use distilled water? Do you use an anode? All of the above will lenghten the life of a radiator. __________________ 70 C/10 Light Red 350/TH350, HEI, Duals w/40 series Flows, 91 seat, LED taillights 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI

03-01-2008, 03:31 AM	#5
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Radiator life expectancy question... i've had many radiators in use that were between 50-70years old still held water and pressure without problems// as said distelled water is best as alot of city water and well water got funney stuff in it// also modern technology and manufacturing aint all that great __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

03-01-2008, 07:31 AM	#6
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Radiator life expectancy question... Quality varies and it`s hard to get it equal to original. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

03-01-2008, 08:03 AM	#7
70' GMC HERE.......Somewhere Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Birmingham AL Posts: 2,488	Re: Radiator life expectancy question... I had mine patched and it is the original and could not afford 300 to 350 for a radiator. I had it patched for 25.00 and they had it flushed. __________________ Current rides: 2013 Hyundai elantra gt DD 1995 camaro my first crush lmao Was: 1970 with a 350 4barrel and 288 horses Classics make it possible!

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