Okay, I have a couple random questions.

1) Can a 2012 front bumper fit on an 05-07 front end. I converted my front clip to the 05-07 style, but I am having an incredibly difficult time locating a bumper. I found the newer style ('08+) at a scrap yard today that I could get a good deal on, but I figured it probably wouldn't fit. If it can't.. well shucks. If it can, awesome, how much work would it take?

2) Also while I was at the scrapyard I was roaming around the super duty section and came across what looked to be fluid cooler of some sort with a shield with holes in it bolted to this empty frame with a spin-on filter also attached. I unbolted it, tipped it sideways and diesel came out. The sales guy said I could just have it. Anyone know what this is; cooler? heater? idk? Just curious, like always.

 

Bump! I don't have an answer for you, but I will give you a bump to keep it up there.

 

Can you post a picture of what you found?

 

It sounds like a spin-on filter housing for a Hutch mod

 

Yeah, I can take a picture today. But it looks factory tug. Like something from the 6.0s or 6.4

 

Pen for scale.









So, there ya have it. Now, what is it???

 

Looks like the same animal...

Duramax Fuel Cooler



Nice find for free!

 

I'll be darned... sure enough. Must have been a Chevy frame. So that answers that then. Why do they want the fuel cooler? Wouldn't that promote gelling?

 

The cooler prevents the hot returned fuel from heating the rest of the fuel in the tank. Now whether cooler or warmer fuel is better, I suppose there's a lot of debate. Interestingly enough, we have a hydroplane boat event at a lake near us and there was a news cast covering the action there. They showed tanks of diesel that they were keeping cool for better performance in the boats. So in a 3,000 hp boat, I guess it's better that it's cooler.

 

Hmmm... very interesting. I guess I'll have to look into it some more. Thanks for the info. So, one down, one to go. How about that bumper?

 

No, the ridiculous mounting location of the fuel filter/heater element on a Duramax is plenty enough for aiding in the "gelling" department.

I won't get into the specifics of the fuel system on a Duramax, but the cooler is there because of the huge amount of hot fuel that would be returned to the tank without that cooler there to help.

Fuel density, viscosity, and expansion are all reasons to have a cooler.
Nice find, but you really don't need one unless you have an "after-the-heads" style fuel return system on your 7.3L.

As for the bumper:

 

Oooo! Okay, sounds complicated. That bumper looks pretty nice. Different, but nice. How much modifications needed to be done for it to fit on there. Or did it bolt right on?