Good or bad idea?

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Aug 9, 2013 | 07:40 PM

reed1951

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From: Bristol TN.

Good or bad idea?

Hey guys, I had an idea about a filter/screen to keep junk out of the new radiator. I took one of those kitchen sink strainers and cut it down (stainless steel mesh) bent the wire so it would "hook" around the lip of the rad inlet then put a little tape around it to secure it a little better. Then when I put the rad hose on it should hold it in place well. Good or bad idea?

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Aug 9, 2013 | 07:46 PM

r_reed

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From: scotia. NY 12302

i would think that if you have gunk floating around in your block it would plug your screen and cause more harm than good. seems like you would be better off just flushing out your block multiple times before you hook it to the new radiator. great looking radiator. dick r.

Aug 9, 2013 | 07:50 PM

Harrier

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From: Jefferson City, MO

My first thought was how often are you going to clean that filter. I think Dick is right, flush the block a bunch. After that if you want to leave the filter fine, but you will need to check it often.

Aug 9, 2013 | 08:02 PM

bobbytnm

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From: Rio Rancho, NM

Couldn't hurt.
Right now everything is clean and new. You'll need to keep it in mind several years down the road when you have some miles on. There is a chance it could start plugging up (which is basically what you want it to do - trap gunk) you'll just have to remember that its there and to take that into account when trying to diagnos an overheating issue. Example, overheating but radiator is cool to the touch....that sort of thing.

Bobby

Aug 9, 2013 | 08:05 PM

reed1951

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From: Bristol TN.

I think you guys are right, I did flush the engine until nothing but clear water came out the bottom hose. I think a reason the radiator I had before didn't cool well was due to rust in the block running through it and clogging it some (I didn't flush the engine out after I had it rebuilt, it also sat for a year or so). Anyways I didn't want anything bad to happen to this rad so I thought I'd give this a try. But I did wonder about the possibility of the screen getting clogged so now I don't know what I'll do. I may just run it for a while then take it out later. It's gonna be a while before I drive the truck anyways, just running on the frame for now.

Aug 9, 2013 | 08:38 PM

ALBUQ F-1

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From: NM

That will catch rocks, not dirt or rust.

They sell these in Australia, reportedly work great, but are so full of crud after a month or so on a typical used system that you run a risk of overheating. I got some, but I haven't tried them yet. They are a woven material, heavy nylon I think. They install just about like your strainer.

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Aug 9, 2013 | 08:38 PM

The Horvaths

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I think it will serve to catch any tape that comes loose.
I think that the idea is reasonable but I don't think that the tape will allow the hose to secure to the neck once it heats up. Maybe lose the tape?