Radiator upgrade

[coolair]

Well my truck has been on the road for a little over 2 years now and during the summer months I spend more time looking @ my temp gauge than the road. My truck was an original V8 with AC truck so I had the OEM HD radiator checked out by a local shop - he stated it was in top condition, should have no problems.

On a 90 degree + day, which are many in SA, TX, the gauge would creep up to around 210-215 range. It still ran good, never went over 215 so I decided to live with it. Late last summer, I noticed after driving over an hour, the temp would start creeping higher the longer I drove it so I always stayed close to home and it never got over 220. Two weeks ago, I went for a 20 mile cruise and it went directly to 220+. That was enough for me.

Being in the AC business, I've heard good and bad about every radiator company but know several people with Be Cool Radiators and happen to know one of the guys working there so I call and asked his opinion. He stated that they had just come out with a stock dimension down-flow radiator so I ordered one up along with the mounting brackets for the dual 11 inch fan assembly that I already was running with my system.

Installed the radiator last week-end - first I just replaced the radiator and kept the 190 thermostat then went for a test drive - 200 degrees max. I thought very good - 20 degree drop w/radiator only. Next was changing to a 180 thermostat and a test drive - dropped another 10 degrees. Man, I can live with that!!




















It wasn't a direct drop in as the tanks are a little wider so mods were made to the bottom saddles but not too big of a deal - for a 30 degree temp drop - it was worth it.

[joe231]

very cool!

how much does that radiator cost?

[MacAttack]

Really nice upgrade - I know those units aren't cheap!

Looks like you hit the center of the target with this move. Do you have to get an anode for the petcock so the dissimilar metals won't react?

[joe231]

Mac....the anode does not stop the electrolysis(reaction), it simply acts as a sacrificial piece so the other metals do not get eaten away...

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by joe231

very cool!

how much does that radiator cost?

I was wondering that as well. Also what is the part number of the radiator and fan assy. It looks like it fits really good. Nice job.

[MacAttack]

Originally Posted by joe231

Mac....the anode does not stop the electrolysis(reaction), it simply acts as a sacrificial piece so the other metals do not get eaten away...

Okay, well that's just like my Honda outboard on my little ocean skiff. Thanks Joe. BTW, do you have to dump your coolant every year or so to replace it?

[joe231]

Originally Posted by MacAttack

Okay, well that's just like my Honda outboard on my little ocean skiff. Thanks Joe. BTW, do you have to dump your coolant every year or so to replace it?

you are supposed to change out your coolant once a year, how many people actually do?
it also doesn't hurt to check the PH of your coolant every couple of months, you can catch a problem early that way...

[MacAttack]

Originally Posted by joe231

you are supposed to change out your coolant once a year, how many people actually do?

Yeah - made that mistake on my 65' Chevelle crate mill. The coolant went off and I caught it just before it turned to rusty mud. That won't happen again.

[Bull72]

sweet upgrade, going to do this to my 72 blazer after a while.

[198plus]

Same here part # and price............

Originally Posted by Alan's Classic

I was wondering that as well. Also what is the part number of the radiator and fan assy. It looks like it fits really good. Nice job.

[blackedoutharley]

Info can be found here:

http://becool.com/


Radiator upgrade is on my list but these are a bit spendy...