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08-13-2011, 10:31 AM | #1 |
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Location: Netherlands, The Hague
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problem fitting Spectra CU730 radiator
he guys,
My radiator just kept on leaking on one of the hose connections. So I decided to buy a replacement. A local store here supplied me with what should have been a "bolt-in-replacement"...the Spectra Prenium CU730 link to rockauto with specs http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=272029 I now encountered a couple of problems: 1. the radiator core is about 2cm ('0.8") higher and thicker 2. also the part that rests in rubbers at the bottom and top holding the radiator in place is 8cm wide in stead of 6 cm in my case. 3.15" in stead of 2,36". Otherwise the radiator is fine. All connections are in the right place and fit fine. But this means I had to cut my rubbers on top and bottom that support the radiator and modify my top brackets that hold the radiator in place. We double checked and we are 100% sure this is the correct radiator for my K20 Suburban. I cant find any mounting materials or new rubbers that do fit this radiators. Can you guys help me? do you know where I can get mounting materials for this rad?
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My dreamride / project:1977 GMC C15 Suburban In storage: Monster - 1974 GMC Suburban 25hundred Sold : Chevrolet Suburban K20 Silverado 1986 Guide: real HID projectors for 4x6 headlights link: DIY LED TAILLIGHTS |
09-06-2011, 06:09 AM | #2 |
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Re: problem fitting Spectra CU730 radiator
ttt help?
I have lready emailed Spectra, but aint gettin any replies! so much for customer support
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My dreamride / project:1977 GMC C15 Suburban In storage: Monster - 1974 GMC Suburban 25hundred Sold : Chevrolet Suburban K20 Silverado 1986 Guide: real HID projectors for 4x6 headlights link: DIY LED TAILLIGHTS |
09-06-2011, 12:05 PM | #3 |
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Re: problem fitting Spectra CU730 radiator
I would think that if your aftermarket radiator manufacturer didn't provide or doesn't have the brackets you need, then you might be on your own.
When I bought my new radiator from Summit Racing here in GA, I was shocked at the number of models that were available. You may need to get creative with a trip to a hardware store. I know I can buy metal in short pieces to make brackets and such (I had to make a small piece to reattach the throttle bracket to the new Vortec intake manifold. The bolt holes were different. Anyway, since it is an aftermarket radiator, you may have a hard time finding brackets from anyone else other than Spectra. Good luck with it. |
09-06-2011, 10:55 PM | #4 |
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Re: problem fitting Spectra CU730 radiator
Jochen, you may need to make your own brackets, shouldn't be too hard, a few pieces of steel from the hardware store should do fine. And for some "cushion" you can use a few pieces of truck mudflap.
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~Bradley~ 2004 Black GTO LS2/T56 too much to list Miss having a truck |
09-08-2011, 03:52 AM | #5 | ||||
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Re: problem fitting Spectra CU730 radiator
pretty dissapointed in customer support from Spectra...
I ask them this: Quote:
at first they dont reply. then I resent my message to all departments and Nicolas kicks in: Quote:
I resent my message: Quote:
Quote:
this rad is just as high...so again wont "bolt in" just like that... and he is basically saying...replace your three row thick copper radiator with a single row radiator...the core is 1 cm (0.4") less thick... SO: 1. this will never be a "bolt in replacement" and will never just like that fit your car. 2. we do not offer brackets, your on your own... 3. is a aluminium rad soo much better in cooling that you can go from three copper rows to one aluminium row?
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My dreamride / project:1977 GMC C15 Suburban In storage: Monster - 1974 GMC Suburban 25hundred Sold : Chevrolet Suburban K20 Silverado 1986 Guide: real HID projectors for 4x6 headlights link: DIY LED TAILLIGHTS |
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09-08-2011, 09:32 AM | #6 | |
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Re: problem fitting Spectra CU730 radiator
finally got this answer today.
Quote:
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My dreamride / project:1977 GMC C15 Suburban In storage: Monster - 1974 GMC Suburban 25hundred Sold : Chevrolet Suburban K20 Silverado 1986 Guide: real HID projectors for 4x6 headlights link: DIY LED TAILLIGHTS |
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09-08-2011, 09:47 AM | #7 |
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Re: problem fitting Spectra CU730 radiator
Jeez, that sucks. But maybe it will be worth the wait.
About the 1 row aluminum being better than a 3 row copper/brass. I've heard that is true, see the problem with copper/brass is that it holds heat longer than aluminum, and is more likely to leak because it is copper and brass soldered together with aluminum solder, 3 different metals all trying to do the same job, not good. I hope that the 1 core does better than the stock radiator. Good luck Jochen
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~Bradley~ 2004 Black GTO LS2/T56 too much to list Miss having a truck |
09-08-2011, 01:43 PM | #8 |
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Re: problem fitting Spectra CU730 radiator
Just to answer the question about whether the 1 row alu can match the 3 row brass.... as thirdstreettito said....the aluminum ones are supposed to cool better. However, if I was in your situation, I would keep the rad you have now, and do the mods necessary to make the brackets fit correctly. I'd love to give you a hand in modding them, but the computer screen isn't a very good workshop. However, I would use the stock brackets and mod them, and attempt to mod the rubber pieces as well, but if the rubber pieces didn't work, I would find something rubber to cut up and fit to the brackets.
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1995 Suburban K2500 454.....off road & towing 1999 Astro, work van 2006 Silverado 2wd 5.3 w/4.5" lift and 33s |
08-11-2012, 05:16 AM | #9 |
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Re: problem fitting Spectra CU730 radiator
Wanted to come back to this with info for anyone with this problem in the future. Obviously the best would be to measure what you have that fits, and not believe the websites. This goes for more than radiators too. There's just too many different options available for parts....so it's best to get all the info on what you need vs what is being sold.
As far as these radiators themselves....the 730 is a 2 row rad. The others they list for our trucks are only 1 row. This makes the core size thicker, and makes the header size bigger too. The header is the actual area that is used for mounting in our trucks, which makes the header size VERY important. Looks to me like all the 1 row 19" headers are very close in size to where you can interchange them without doing anything to the mounts. Also the same for the 1 row 17". Which only leaves the 2 row 19", which is the 730, which kikkegek has. The solution for his radiator, and I apologize for not noticing this before kikkegek, is that this rad is meant to go in place of the thicker stock rads that are available. Basically, you need the bigger rad mounting bracket that is a single piece that goes over the support and the rad.
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1995 Suburban K2500 454.....off road & towing 1999 Astro, work van 2006 Silverado 2wd 5.3 w/4.5" lift and 33s |
08-12-2012, 01:43 PM | #10 | |
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Re: problem fitting Spectra CU730 radiator
Quote:
thanks for getting back to me and letting me know. the modded (not pretty) supports and rubbers have been holding up for over a year now and doing fine. problem is that a rather inexpensive part becomes expensive by the time it reaches the Netherlands where I live. So I'll keep it in mind and maybe upgrade in the future... thanks man! this solves my question on the top part....but which supports/rubbers should I use on the bottom?
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My dreamride / project:1977 GMC C15 Suburban In storage: Monster - 1974 GMC Suburban 25hundred Sold : Chevrolet Suburban K20 Silverado 1986 Guide: real HID projectors for 4x6 headlights link: DIY LED TAILLIGHTS |
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08-16-2012, 10:13 PM | #11 |
78K & 79C Jimmys
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Re: problem fitting Spectra CU730 radiator
I've used cut bits of heater hose in a pinch
say 3 inches with a half inch or so cut out in the length you end up with a "c" open down for the top or up for the bottom
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John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350 |
09-21-2013, 05:21 PM | #12 |
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Re: problem fitting Spectra CU730 radiator
Dragging this oldie back up since I was looking for something else, but Just fyi, a cu730 IS a bolt in, IF you buy the correct rubbers and top brackets.
isolators: GM p/n 06264100 top brackets (for the individual style brackets as on the 1983 models) GM p/n 14039949 and 14039950 (left and a right). You can modify your stock radiator shroud, or find one in a wrecking yard out of a truck with the tall 3 row rad that'll need minimal modifications. Good luck finding an original app shroud for the cu730 though. Original radiator applications are all over the map, one year it'll be with heavy duty cooling, other years the 3 row will be spec'd for heavy duty cooling. Ditto for a/c applications, sometimes yes, sometimes no. Been used with everything from the 305+ to the diesels, and even though it has an transmission cooler, its also used in manual transmission applications. Alex. |
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