Hi everyone,

Trying to fix some problems with my e350 motorhome with 460 and its cooling. I've changed out the water pump, put in a good 180 thermostat and changed the hoses.

It's still running fairly hot 210-215 ( I live in Texas). At this point I'm thinking it's time to get a new radiator as mine is probably sludged up.

My choices are

NAPA - Modene 4 row - $359
Autozone - GDI 4 row - $267

Any advice? Other recommendations? Cost is not my most important issue..... Wife wants a/c and I'm not going to fix it until the motor is running in the 190 range.

Thanks!

Dave

 

I don't have any experience with motorhomes, but living in the desert with modified engines has been a learning experience. I've tried all the brass/copper radiators up to and including a 4-core and never really got my Bronco/460 to where I could idle in traffic for an unlimited period of time with the A/C on once outside temps reach 110-degrees. I just installed a BeCool aluminum radiator, two 1" tubes, cross flow, and am in the process of fabricating a shroud that will hold two electric fans producing in excess of 5000cfm at idle.

Hopefully you won't have to go to that extreme, but a bunch of research and my own experience with my BBC P/U has shown that an aluminum radiator will drop operating temps by 20-degrees. The key to idle and low rpm cooling in places like where we live is air flow across the radiator and aluminum dissipates heat far more effectively than brass/copper.

As a side note, once I finish the engine cooling system, I'm going to install a new condensor for the A/C. Some of the aftermarket condensors are vastly improved over 40-year old domestic OEM designs still in use. A/C cooling operation faces the same issues as the engine. If your wife is like my wife, her first question will be why the A/C isn't as cool in traffic as on the highway.

 

Father-in-law had same issue with large motor Home. Went to a four core aluminum racing radiator and dual electric fans. It doesn't even have a pulley driven fan on it now. No more problems this has been about 2 years.

 

Hi Dave,

Try this link, Rock Auto out of Madison, WI.

https://www.rockauto.com/applet.html

I put in a GDI/Transpro HeatbusteR (4 core) Extreme Service radiator for a little over $200 including shipping. Fast service, good people. Very satisfied. Hope it helps you as much as it helped me.

 

Another suggestion, after changing my radiator with little success. Try a new fan clutch. I replaced mine after the radiator didn't do the job fully. The parts guy said my clutch was good but after installing the one he said I didn't need it ran much cooler.

Just a hint.

MT

 

Well I ordered a new gdi 4 row from radiator.com very nice folks 215 with tax and shipping be here in 2 days, can't complain!

Any advice on a new fan clutch ie brand, heavy duty etc???

Thanks

Dave

 

Ready for this??

I have a 1984 Bronco with a 460 in it.... Well I am using a 351W 3-core radiator.. and well... the thing runs right at 180

Mine is an Autozone / GDI radiator...

 

And your maximum summertime temps in a heatwave would be maybe 90-degrees? I'm joking, I had no problems with a regular regular radiator and mechanical fan cooling 450hp in my Bronco in CA, WA State and Idaho, but here in the desert it's over 90-degrees at 4am. Daytime temps exceed 115 on a regular basis. And now my hp is at 550. With a modified engine, especially big blocks, traditional copper/brass radiators and mechanical fans can't do the job. They weren't designed to cope with the heat produced by HP beyond stock configurations. Not if you want to run the A/C. I also run engine and trans oil coolers with a 10" electric puller fan. Florida, Texas, Arizona and other areas of the SW and West also cope with what most people would consider abnormal temperatures.

http://www.angelfire.com/realm3/geor...l_coolers1.jpg

Here's the BeCool radiator before installation of the shroud and electric fans:

http://www.angelfire.com/realm3/geor..._radiator1.jpg

 

George, what size radiator core did you choose? And what kind of fans?
I'm planning to add an aluminum radiator and dual fans to my '87 460. I've checked a lot of web sites, and it seems a lot of the dual fan kits are too wide to fit a Ford radiator. Just curious to see what you came up with.

Thanks,
Scott

 

I chose a BeCool aluminum radiator for the Bronco as its a duplicate of the factory unit and requires no mounting modifications. Core size is 30" wide. I've seen two electric fan companies that make dual fans with 4000-5000cfm that will fit the Ford (30") radiator. One is

http://www.derale.com/electricfans.shtml

two 13" fans, 4000cfm. 28.25" wide.

There's another with two 14", 30" wide, 5000cfm, but I can't come up with it right now.

I'm in the process of fabricating a custom shroud for the Bronco which will hold two Spal 16" fans mounted at an angle.

I have another vehicle with a 22" wide aluminum radiator that I'm also in the process of fabricating a shroud for that will hold three Zirgo 9" fans which produce 1500cfm each.

Upgrading your alternator is almost mandatory for any multiple fan installation. The duals will draw at least 50amps. I've purchased two alternaters from these people and been very satisfied with the quality and operation. If Jegs or Sumitt doesn't have what you want in stock, they'll drop-ship.

http://www.powermastermotorsports.com/index.html

 

I hate to avertise but this is a a good deal If own a stick(It does NOT have the transmission colling lines). This company in Cedar Falls, Ia called performance bodies[ (319) 277-2066 or 1-800-RACING1(7224641) ] sells afco 2 1" core aluminum radiators for $179.99 (I bought a griffen radiator form them two years ago for 169.99 now there 195.99 I think griffen doesn't want to be in the radiator business)you may have to modify the mounts but these thing are just to good to pass up I put one in my mustang defintly worth it cooled like no other They have plenty of sizes I got the 31" x 19" bigest they have man I had to add so much more coolant than before they also sell Howes for a little bit more($10).

 

Those are good prices. Welded seams?

I purchased the BeCool radiator without a transmission heat exchanger as I run a separate trans cooler.

 

Few more questions,

1. My radiator came with a plastic plug where the petcock would go, I'm assuming that I just pull it out and install a new petcock?

2. I've always heard that engine driven fans are far superior to electrice fans. Any opinions?

3. I want to get a heavy duty clutch for my fan, someone recommened hayden, any others????

Dave

 

Ok,

I've looked at my new radiator again.

On the far right is a plastic plug, then about an inch to the left is a brass plug.

Which is the one for the petcock and what is the other one for.

HELP

Thanks

Dave

 

Petcock should be lowest position on the radiator. Are there two plastic plugs, another higher up on the same side? If so, they could be transmission oil line ports.

If just two, one would be petcock and the other possibly for a temperture sensor.