Radiator replacement
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 133
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From: San Diego
Radiator replacement
Hey folks,
I'm in need of some opinions re: radiators.
My Camper Special apparently has a large capacity/heavy duty 4-row radiator that came stock according to the PO.
Well today that radiator did what almost all 42+ y/o radiators eventually do and sprung a leak.
I've searched all the usual suspects and find that pretty much all of them offer a variety of sizes, most of the standard replacements branded Spectra Premium and typically plastic tanks with aluminium cores.
Anyone know if these are any good? And do I really need to keep the same "heavy duty" radiator in my truck that is only ever used for commuting and pretty light-weight hauling? Will one of these supposed replacements even fit?
Or is it a better option to have my original refurbished? I'm kind of in a bind right now as a series of minor disasters have taken my fleet from 3 vehicles down to only the truck.... ugh.
Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks,
John
I'm in need of some opinions re: radiators.
My Camper Special apparently has a large capacity/heavy duty 4-row radiator that came stock according to the PO.
Well today that radiator did what almost all 42+ y/o radiators eventually do and sprung a leak.
I've searched all the usual suspects and find that pretty much all of them offer a variety of sizes, most of the standard replacements branded Spectra Premium and typically plastic tanks with aluminium cores.
Anyone know if these are any good? And do I really need to keep the same "heavy duty" radiator in my truck that is only ever used for commuting and pretty light-weight hauling? Will one of these supposed replacements even fit?Or is it a better option to have my original refurbished? I'm kind of in a bind right now as a series of minor disasters have taken my fleet from 3 vehicles down to only the truck.... ugh.
Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks,
John
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 83
From: NorCal
Hey folks,
I'm in need of some opinions re: radiators.
My Camper Special apparently has a large capacity/heavy duty 4-row radiator that came stock according to the PO.
Well today that radiator did what almost all 42+ y/o radiators eventually do and sprung a leak.
I've searched all the usual suspects and find that pretty much all of them offer a variety of sizes, most of the standard replacements branded Spectra Premium and typically plastic tanks with aluminium cores.
Anyone know if these are any good? And do I really need to keep the same "heavy duty" radiator in my truck that is only ever used for commuting and pretty light-weight hauling? Will one of these supposed replacements even fit?
Or is it a better option to have my original refurbished? I'm kind of in a bind right now as a series of minor disasters have taken my fleet from 3 vehicles down to only the truck.... ugh.
I'm in need of some opinions re: radiators.
My Camper Special apparently has a large capacity/heavy duty 4-row radiator that came stock according to the PO.
Well today that radiator did what almost all 42+ y/o radiators eventually do and sprung a leak.
I've searched all the usual suspects and find that pretty much all of them offer a variety of sizes, most of the standard replacements branded Spectra Premium and typically plastic tanks with aluminium cores.
Anyone know if these are any good? And do I really need to keep the same "heavy duty" radiator in my truck that is only ever used for commuting and pretty light-weight hauling? Will one of these supposed replacements even fit?Or is it a better option to have my original refurbished? I'm kind of in a bind right now as a series of minor disasters have taken my fleet from 3 vehicles down to only the truck.... ugh.
My recommendation would depend on where it is leaking... the caps or the core?. It might be as easy as getting it resoldered. If going rebuilt, consider have it rodded, the offending tube(s) replaced, and resoldered.
Otherwise, yes.. Spectra seems to have a good reputation in FTE.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Sorry to hear about maladies with the fleet.
My recommendation would depend on where it is leaking... the caps or the core?. It might be as easy as getting it resoldered. If going rebuilt, consider have it rodded, the offending tube(s) replaced, and resoldered.
Otherwise, yes.. Spectra seems to have a good reputation in FTE.
My recommendation would depend on where it is leaking... the caps or the core?. It might be as easy as getting it resoldered. If going rebuilt, consider have it rodded, the offending tube(s) replaced, and resoldered.
Otherwise, yes.. Spectra seems to have a good reputation in FTE.
From being fine yesterday, it today seems to be leaking in multiple spots, one in particular I can see exactly which tube is leaking, about half way up the tube there's fluid literally spraying out to a distance of several feet while it's warm. The other leak appears to be at the bottom tank but there's too much stuff in the way to see right away.
I tried some stop-leak from Alumaflex, which appeared to work temporarily, then it started leaking again... I just need it stopped enough to limp it down to the radiator shop I just found near my house.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 83
From: NorCal
Thank you sir.
From being fine yesterday, it today seems to be leaking in multiple spots, one in particular I can see exactly which tube is leaking, about half way up the tube there's fluid literally spraying out to a distance of several feet while it's warm. The other leak appears to be at the bottom tank but there's too much stuff in the way to see right away.
I tried some stop-leak from Alumaflex, which appeared to work temporarily, then it started leaking again... I just need it stopped enough to limp it down to the radiator shop I just found near my house.
From being fine yesterday, it today seems to be leaking in multiple spots, one in particular I can see exactly which tube is leaking, about half way up the tube there's fluid literally spraying out to a distance of several feet while it's warm. The other leak appears to be at the bottom tank but there's too much stuff in the way to see right away.
I tried some stop-leak from Alumaflex, which appeared to work temporarily, then it started leaking again... I just need it stopped enough to limp it down to the radiator shop I just found near my house.
Radiator "stop-leak" fixes are only intended as a temporary repair to get you to the next service exit or repair shop.
Another option is JB weld... knead it or mix it and let it set good.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Yup, JB weld should at least keep it mobile until such times as I can either get a new radiator delivered or get my Jag back on the road then get the truck radiator rebuilt.
Thanks again
Thanks again
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 920
Likes: 20
From: Malheur Co. OR
1978 1979 Ford Bronco 5 8 6 6 All Aluminum Radiator CU545 3 Row w TOC | eBay
This is the unit I am looking at to replace my missing super cooler in my camper special. It has the larger core dimensions and looks to be all aluminum, not plastic tanked.
This is the unit I am looking at to replace my missing super cooler in my camper special. It has the larger core dimensions and looks to be all aluminum, not plastic tanked.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,219
Likes: 190
From: Colorado Springs
I used to run an aluminum rad. I prefer the durability and looks of the original big tank copper and brass.
Originals can be recored and have more cores added.
Aluminum corrodes and has to be serviced with anodes.
Originals can be recored and have more cores added.
Aluminum corrodes and has to be serviced with anodes.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 162
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From: Bay St. Louis, MS.
I'm running an all aluminum one from eBay. It's a 3 row and it was a little over $200. It had a lite bend from shipping that I drilled a mounting bolt hole a little bigger and it works just fine.
Good luck
Good luck
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