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Anybody have a Spectra Premium Radiator CU1166 in their 6.9l 4x4?

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Old Dec 5, 2024 | 10:35 AM
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Anybody have a Spectra Premium Radiator CU1166 in their 6.9l 4x4?

I'm installing a new copper and brass Spectra CU 1166 in my 4x4. Any reviews on the install and service life of these radiators?
 
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Old Dec 6, 2024 | 11:25 PM
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It dropped right in. Fit is same as OEM. Recoring my old radiator was quoted as over 1200. Looks like I'll be playing radiator roulette for a while. I'll post up any operation issues that come up. I'm wondering about the scrap value of my old copper and brass radiator. It has 6 leaks in it. First leak showed up in July, used a stop leak product. Then 5 more showed up over time. The final 2 spots last Tuesday. The day of radiator retirement. I hope I get a long life from the Spectra Premium.
 
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Old Dec 30, 2024 | 09:07 PM
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I had to wait a week for replacement speed nuts and bolts to secure the shroud. All's well with the new Spectra. Installed coolant and got it balanced between rad and overflow bottle. 100 miles now and it's all good. So far I can recommend them for a plug n play. I'll post again with a mid life review...

If anyone else has one feel free to report your findings. Gonna take the old one to the local shop and see if it's repairable. It looks pretty good still, except for the 6 leaks! I may hold on to it for a future repair. Or scrap value. Sitting on it for a while won't hurt as scrap prices going up over time.
 
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Old Yesterday | 01:16 PM
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I installed the Spectra CU1166 on 12/3/24. I was planning to replace the coolant this spring. However while replacing the hood to cowl seal I noticed that the radiator was leaking around the top tank. Just over two years and it's time to pull it already. I have another radiator to drop in which was built by a radiator shop using a deeper jointed tank to core joint. It wasn't cheap and the shop tells me a custom built one today will be around 1600 bucks. I paid 1450. Well so much for the Spectra Premium CU 1166...
 
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Old Yesterday | 02:07 PM
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when i was looking for a radiator some years ago i did come across spectra, but the reviews weren`t that great at the time, my radiator core was good but the top tank had a small leak, i was told that the top gets worn when it keeps getting layed on when working on the engine, right or wrong i don`t know, anyway, when i was looking to replace mine with a like for like they were a $1000 back then, i got talking to a guy that said he had one, i turned up at his place and he had a 20-30ft shipping container full of good radiators for all sorts of trucks, when we got to the radiator i needed for my truck it was like a new one, when i asked how much did he want for it, he said $250 i bit his hand off, i thought he was going to be up more to the grand mark, that radiator is still in good condition today. i got lucky on that one.
 
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Old Yesterday | 04:37 PM
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If he has any more I'll take one! The top tank was leaking at the core joint. It's never been leaned on. I already know better. I have been thru at least 5 aftermarket radiators. 5 years is good for the Chinese built ones. 3 to 5 years then top tank core joint leaks first. Then leaks start showing up elsewhere and you chase it with stop leak for a few months. Original radiator was great. Lasted for ten years and it didn't leak. The waterpump came apart and went into the core. My radiator guy explained that the chinese don't solder the joints well. And they are shallow. Just enough to get past the warranty.
 
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Old Today | 05:37 AM
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I currently have a parts store cheapie radiator. I've actually considered changing to the Alloyworks aluminum radiator for both my Bullnose truck and my 71 Oldsmobile. The price on the one that fits our trucks is $399.

Alloyworks
 
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Old Today | 09:16 AM
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Originally Posted by Olds64
I currently have a parts store cheapie radiator. I've actually considered changing to the Alloyworks aluminum radiator for both my Bullnose truck and my 71 Oldsmobile. The price on the one that fits our trucks is $399.

Alloyworks
I wonder if they build the long radiator in aluminum? Probably more money if they do. For some reason Ford used two radiator configurations in the diesels. I always thought the 4x4 had the long one and the 2x4 had the more square one.
 
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