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OK...this job was one of those that just didnt go right at all...it took me 7 hours to R and R the radiator...
So I got the 3 row ebay special. I called Radiator.com and another place and they only have the stock radiator...they dont have or cannot get the performance or copper ones anymore.
Now, the ebay special seemed OK and it went right in..but...I should have checked everything. The mount holes for the shroud were not tapped! There was just a hole there and it was small...M4 small...so I ended up going to the hardware store three times trying to find the right bolts for it...nothing worked. I ended up settling for self tapping stainless bolts. I used them and they worked well. That debacle added 3 hours to the job...then I actually had TWO 10MM sockets break or round out inside the socket...WTF...Im glad I had a thrid..but wow..never had that happen...I have to add I put in and took out the radiator three times...the first time I though I was ready,,,but no. the shroud didnt fit...then I had to take it out to see if I could actually match up a bolt for the shroud...then another F up thing happened...I had a bolt break while putting it in the core support...awesome huh? So out comes the radiator again along with the grille and I had to almost liquify the bolt with a torch and it finally came out with vise grips. F and A! Then I had to retap the hole..fun...Then somehow, I broke my oil cap while putting it in, so I will be getting another one of those tomorrow..along the way, I dropped bolts, tools and pretty much everything else I had in my hand during the job..a couple of time I wasted 30 mins looking for my socket...geeee..I suck and this job bit LOL...to top it off I ate some tranny fluid because when I moved the hose while I was on my back under the van, it decided to flow out all into my mouth...
I finally got it all in and done...It got dark so I still need to put the coolant in...that will be done tomorrow morning...but wow...1 hour job turned into 7
Pic of radiator...as you can see - there really are small holes for the shroud...
I went for a ride today and yes, the one I just put in is defective too. That is two in a row now...It is leaking from them same spot my old one was leaking from...it is right at the top, under the top tank. It was flowing out.
Im not sure what to do - does anyone know where a good, two or three core radiator can be found? I am thinking of getting a universal one now and adapting the trans lines or even put a trans cooler in...decisions decisions...
Well, I guess I get another chance to beat my old time :lol:
I went for a ride today and yes, the one I just put in is defective too. That is two in a row now...It is leaking from them same spot my old one was leaking from...it is right at the top, under the top tank. It was flowing out.
Im not sure what to do - does anyone know where a good, two or three core radiator can be found? I am thinking of getting a universal one now and adapting the trans lines or even put a trans cooler in...decisions decisions...
Well, I guess I get another chance to beat my old time :lol:
If you have the $$$, then RockAuto is still listing the CSF 3392 (copper/brass). They show it being used in various Mopar vehicles from the 1975 Cordoba onwards, and specifically from the 1979 B-series to the 2003 Ram xx00 Vans.
The only differences I found between the CSF and the original:
1) the shroud attachment points are in the right places I think, but they are thin brazed-on sheet-metal brackets with an unthreaded hole in each. Naturally, the brackets are bent exactly where the hole is. Duh. But I was able to use them to attach my dual-e-fan housing, just needed to find my own hardware (one reason for doing the job at my workplace),
2) (this is a plus); the top header tank has two 3/8" NPT threaded ports, plugged by default. Either or both could be used for sensors for e-fan control, fancy instrument panels, etc. A nice touch, but I had already bought my e-fan controller before I decided to replace the rad at the same time.
Last time I looked, my 25-year-old rad was still on top of the scrap-metal skip at work. It was not leaking when pulled, and to my knowledge it had never done so, although there are a few suspicious old stains. I will be working tomorrow (Saturday) and I can set it aside for a few days. The side mounting bracket on the passenger side came off at some point during the changeover, but it looks like it just clips on. (???) Pics attached. Most of the damage looks pretty old, other than that coused during removal.
No charge for the scrap metal, but you would have to pay the shipping from here (Toronto, Canada), by your choice of prepaid carrier. I can provide packaged weight and dimensions, but it might cost more than it was worth??? Cheaper than a brand-new one for sure, anyway.
No warranties suggested, implied, or even remotely contemplated.
If you have the $$$, then RockAuto is still listing the CSF 3392 (copper/brass). They show it being used in various Mopar vehicles from the 1975 Cordoba onwards, and specifically from the 1979 B-series to the 2003 Ram xx00 Vans.
The only differences I found between the CSF and the original:
1) the shroud attachment points are in the right places I think, but they are thin brazed-on sheet-metal brackets with an unthreaded hole in each. Naturally, the brackets are bent exactly where the hole is. Duh. But I was able to use them to attach my dual-e-fan housing, just needed to find my own hardware (one reason for doing the job at my workplace),
2) (this is a plus); the top header tank has two 3/8" NPT threaded ports, plugged by default. Either or both could be used for sensors for e-fan control, fancy instrument panels, etc. A nice touch, but I had already bought my e-fan controller before I decided to replace the rad at the same time.
HTH.
thanks for the help...yep I just bought it. Thanks for the suggestion. I didnt realize that those are double row. That should work good.
and thanks for the offer for the old one...cheers!
That is a radiator everyone should use It fit perfectly, isnt flimsy, and dissipates the heat very well... I am really happy with it. I also want to note that the fan clutch doesnt operate properly with the 3 row radiator. This one, the fan works perfectly.
