Radiator shenanigans

[Salteen]

so I was looking into radiators for my 87 dodge because the one on it now has a slow leak, and these 4G54 engines are bad about blowing gaskets and cracking heads. The factory replacement is a twin core radiator, but i can only find a single core radiator. will it be ok to run a single core? where can i find a twin core? electric fan and a single core???

[geezer101]

I say this plenty - heat is the enemy of these trucks. They suffer from heat soak badly. If you can get a twin core, do it. If you get a replacement radiator, get one with brass tanks and copper cores. The plastic ones are... well, junk. Hell, there are 3 cores around but expect to pay $$$ for a replacement core like this. I would find an aftermarket all alloy radiator and modify it to do the job (might take different radiator hoses to make it work) They aren't that expensive now. Next is to ditch the clutch fan. Sitting at the lights and stop/go traffic on hot days tortures our trucks and an electric thermo fan works when the engine needs it most. Too many advantages to going electric not to do it. I would consider going to a lower temp thermostat too if you don't live somewhere that gets really cold.

[Salteen]

I say this plenty - heat is the enemy of these trucks. They suffer from heat soak badly. If you can get a twin core, do it. If you get a replacement radiator, get one with brass tanks and copper cores. The plastic ones are... well, junk. Hell, there are 3 cores around but expect to pay $$$ for a replacement core like this. I would find an aftermarket all alloy radiator and modify it to do the job (might take different radiator hoses to make it work) They aren't that expensive now. Next is to ditch the clutch fan. Sitting at the lights and stop/go traffic on hot days tortures our trucks and an electric thermo fan works when the engine needs it most. Too many advantages to going electric not to do it. I would consider going to a lower temp thermostat too if you don't live somewhere that gets really cold.

thanks for the info, i live in southern america and it was 50-60 outside today so yeah it stays hot alot.

[geezer101]

thanks for the info, i live in southern america and it was 50-60 outside today so yeah it stays hot alot.

We've been regularly hitting the 110+ mark (40ish C) so I am a touch paranoid about cooling systems. I am even considering adding an emergency surface water sprayer for those moments where the engine looks like it's sweating harder than I am... going to use an old washer bottle with a couple of irrigation mist sprayers aimed across the front of the condenser/radiator and have a temporary contact switch to give the washer bottle a short burst onto everything.