GM Radiator Swap, 'Merica!
#21
#22
Picked up the GM fittings I needed for the EOC & TOC to the new rad from my local dismantler (pick n pull). Even picked up some radiator hoses, hydraulic hoses, rad cap and spare heater hoses. $14 for everything (with military discount)! Shes almost done... Cant do any work on her today as I got some nerves burnt in my back at the Naval hospital this morning... Hopefully tomorrow I'm up for it.
#25
All done! Pics to come... Used lower radiator hose from a 99 3500 Chevy Truck and cut to size. Deleted the stock lower hose completely (crappy y design)... No hose going to expansion tank or heat hose metal tube anymore. Plugged expansion tank port and went from firewall heater hose directly to radiator heater port. Expansion tank is now just the overflow tank. System works great! Too great/efficient.... Lol. Running at 160-165*for with straight water. Need a higher temp t-stat to fix it. ZERO leaks or complaints thus far.
Last edited by USNAVYORDNANCE; 12-27-2014 at 01:09 AM.
#28
Here the pics as promised. The zip ties were used to mock/hold the rad in place while I secured it with the brackets. Left them on just because. So far so good. She's running at 180-185* with a 195* t-stat so I'm happy. No stupid LR wheel up purging air out of system anymore. No leaks, no issues. Pretty straight forward and pics are self explanatory. Still needs some cleaning up but good for now. Smog tech didn't even notice it wasn't the stock radiator. Lol.
*Note* fill neck didn't clear and couldn't sink radiator deeper in lower support because lower hose wouldn't clear. Had to dimple the hood a bit for hood to close. Going to put a hood vent there and on the opposite side to match.
*Note* fill neck didn't clear and couldn't sink radiator deeper in lower support because lower hose wouldn't clear. Had to dimple the hood a bit for hood to close. Going to put a hood vent there and on the opposite side to match.
Last edited by USNAVYORDNANCE; 01-04-2015 at 02:41 PM.
#30
It wasn't that much that it didn't clear. Dimensions didn't take in account for fill neck... Very pleased with outcome tho. No clue on part numbers. I posted the radiator info already and everything else was pulled off a late 90's - early 2000's GM truck/suburban (lower hose and radiator coolant line fittings). The LR upper hose fit the GM rad. Lower hose from said GM truck fits water pump fitting. Just cut to size. I used generic hyd hoses for adapting the cooler lines from truck to fittings and bought generic heater hose from o'reilly auto parts.