Hey guys, need some advice. The radiator in my truck has developed a pressure leak. I either need to take this radiator out and to a shop to have them recore it or whatever it is they would do, or else purchase a new radiator.

The radiator in the truck now is not stock, I think its a 4 core because its about twice as thick as most of the radiators I've seen on these trucks. Should I fix this one or buy new? Has anyone had their radiators recored and how much does it cost? Any recommendations on where to buy a new one if I go that route?

Thanks

 

Does it look like this one its a super cooler

 

Yes, it is a super cooler from the looks of it. Maybe I'd be better off getting it recored than replacing it with a stock radiator?

 

Where does it leak?

 

If it just has a small leak, a radiator shop can solder it shut. If it is a really old radiator with several places already soldered (it's easy to tell where one has been soldered), it's probably time for a new one. Radiators are not cheap though.

 

It leaks from right under the top cover, right below the radiator cap. I don't see any solder on it though. I think I'll take it by one of the radiator shops today and see if they can fix if before I break down and buy a new one. Thanks for the help and I'll update when I figure out what I'm gonna do.

 

Yep fixin in would be the best in your case.

 

can you still buy a replacement super cooling radiator in the aftermarket.

 

Jb weld oughta do er might not look real purty but itll do the job.

 

Hahaha I dont doubt the power even on the tube it says it held a caterpilar block together. I dont know about art, but they oughta make it color matchin for those people who dont want a gray patch.

 

So I took the radiator out of the truck and took it to several radiator shops in town. It turns out that the radiator is in worse shape than I thought. The core is old and the solder has been falling apart. It is an extra capacity radiator out of a SCS. I told the shops that I mostly use this truck when it snows and for hauling firewood.

After hearing the same advice from several radiator shops I've decided to have it recored for a whopping $425.00. The two major things that swayed this decision are...

(1) All the available replacement radiators such as Modine,etc are made in China. They are sh*#ty quality and according to one radiator guy who's been in the business for 35 years, they use solder which is only 5% nickel while the solder he uses contains around 40% nickel. The nickel is what gives the solder its anti corrosion properties as well as strength. All of the shops said that one of these Chinese radiators wouldn't last nearly as long as the one I've got if I get it recorded.

(2) A few other things I asked about were should I get an aluminum one and are there really any advantages to a crossflow versus a downflow radiator. The common consensus on both of these were no and no. I know all the websites say that aluminum radiators are much better than brass ones but after talking to these local guys who have been doing this for years and years I feel better trusting them, plus the recore has a 3 year warranty. One guy said that the aluminum ones don't last very long because the tanks and other parts are made of plastic which is usually first to fail. Also said that I'd overheat much easier pulling a load of wood with a replacement aluminum radiator versus the big super cooler radiator. Nascar uses aluminum rads. but they throw them away after each race!

Hopefully I didn't make too big of a mistake, $425.00 is a lot of money.

For those of you thinking, aww those local shops are just pulling your leg trying to get your business. I really don't think so and even if so, I feel 100 times better about supporting the local guys than paying half the price of that recore on some chinese crap or even something made of plastic! Wish more people in America felt that way these days, our country probably wouldn't be in the sh*^ter like it is...

 

Yep thats the way to go with it. Godd job for not buyin from them chinese. I think youll be alot happier with this just gotta dig deep.

 

Honestly, it's not like a new radiator would have been all that much cheaper anyway. This way, you're only spending a little extra money (relatively speaking of course) but you're getting a lot more quality. Whether the price difference vs. quality and piece of mind is worth it is a judgement call on your part, but it looks like you're doing the right thing based on the reasons you said. Radiators are expensive no matter how you go about it. But I think you're making a good choice.