As some of you know, I have been trying to diagnose a pesky overheating problem. Through some corespondance with my buddy Kwikkordead, I realized that we may have stumbled onto a problem with a new radiator I was thinking of purchasing. Thankfully I didn't jump the gun and go ahead and order it.

My truck, before I bought it, was wrecked and repaired. The radiator that is in it has Visteon stickers on it, so I do not believe that it is a "factory" radiator. I am not sure if it is a one or a two-row radiator, but it is about 2 inches thick, maybe just a smidgen more than 2 inches. PerformanceRadiator.com has a 1-row radiator for $213. Will this radiator work for me, especially towing my 7000# camper? I need to know more about the stock radiator. How thick is the stock unit? Is it a one row unit, or is it more than one? Should I try and get a heavier radiator than I have currently?

As always, THANKS in advance.........

And THANKS for your help Kwikk!!!!

 

Red Taurus I just went and measured my radiator, it's the factory version and it's most definatly a two row - 2.2 inches thick.
Since we are talking overheating here, is there ever a time that you hear the radiator fan engage and make a lot of noise while you are running hot? I'll tell you mine will lock up just going 70 on a straight and level road while pulling the trailer. There is no mistaking it. 2500 rpm with a 2 1/2 foot fan, it sounds like a baritone banshee.

 

My 95 factory radiator core is 2" exactly from end to end of the fins, front to back. I would call a local truck radiator repair shop and talk to them - I have found in many cases they can recore your radiator and give you a thicker than factory core (more cooling capacity) for similar money and most around here will give a one year warranty. Personally I would not reduce cooling capacity - you can't have too much battery, cooling or power.

Dave / Believer45

 

Yes more is better.

 

OK....so the one-row deal is out then. I plan to visit a radiator shop tomorrow to talk about options. Actually, it's not in my hometown as there are no longer any decent radiator shops here that I know of. The one I plan to visit is about 40 miles down the road. Hopefully they will tell me something good.

Not sure about that fan, Kwikk. I am sure that I can hear it when I start out in the mornings. It kinda roars until I get going then it quiets down.

Funny you should mention that fan....I just spoke with a mechanic who told me of a Toyota that had similar symptoms that was cured by replacing the fan clutch. If this radiator shop tells me that my radiator seems OK, I may opt to do a new fan clutch, even though mine seems to be working properly.........

 

Sorry to sound like a nag, but try the speed run and see if you can get the radiator fan to engage. If it doesn't I would be real suspicious of a bad clutch fan.

 

Can't do that right now, Kwikk....the radiator is in the trunk of my car.........

 

Ok, well good luck on your quest. I hope you get it worked out. Let us all know.

 

For what it's worth, Visteon supplies a lot of HVAC parts for Ford. In fact, Visteon was owned by Ford up until a few years ago. They are now an independent company that supplies other auto makers as well. I work for a tool and equipment manufacturer and Visteon is one of our largest customers, along with Dana and Parker. In fact, Visteon probably supplied the spring lock connector fuel lines under our trucks. Just a little useless trivia for the morning. lol

 

So how is it going RedTaurus? Still working on it?

 

Talked to the radiator shop today, Kwikk. The fellow told me on the phone that my radiator WAS partially obstructed. He said he thought he could fix it, so I told him to go ahead. I will call him back in the a.m. to see how he made out. I had decided that I was going to replace that fan clutch if the radiator turned out to be OK. Guess now we'll have to re-evaluate. I am just glad to see some positive activity toward getting my rig back on the road.........

 

I am glad that you finally found something wrong. Thanks for the update.

 

Talked to the shop again today....not done with it yet....call back again tomorrow....hmmmm, I wonder if that means they are having trouble getting it done??

 

Probably means they didn't get to it.

 

A stupid question, did they put the radiator fan shroud back on when they "repaired" the truck? A missing shroud will cause it to heat up.