Hi all,

I blew a idler pulley last week on the highway and overheated a touch (270*). I was pulled over with the car off within 30 seconds. When I replaced the idler pulley, I decided to do the valve cover gaskets as well. While I replaced the valve cover gaskets, I decided to replace the coolant and the thermostat too. The thermostat is a 180* Britpart, so it's a motorad brand (it's black). I know these suck so it may be my problem.

Anyway, with the temps in the high 90's here in NC, I will hit 205-212 on the highway. The truck actually cools down to 199-201 when I slow down. That's with a/c running full blast. If I crank the heater, it cools down about 10-15*. There may be some air left in the system, but I have bled per all the procedures I could find. I have a thermometer and checked the radiator today, and the top was much hotter than the bottom. Definitely more than a 10* difference, more like 30* in spots. The back of the radiator is a little jacked up too from tools hitting it over the years, especially towards the bottom.

I verified the electric fan comes on and the viscous fan is tip top.

So I have narrowed it down to:

1. Air still in the system
2. Bad thermostat
3. Clogged/bad radiator
4. Engine all jacked up from overheating (HG's or worse)

So my question is, before I start throwing money at this, does anyone have any experience with the $90 radiator on eBay? That is damn cheap, and I know you get what you pay for, but sometimes you get lucky. Example: I have had a eBay alternator on my truck for years with no issues...it was cheaper than a rebuild and 150 amp.

Appreciate any feedback before I pull the trigger.

Thanks!
Jamie

 

Are you losing coolant?

 

I've used two of them. I've never had an issue.

 

Lucky8 sells a Nissen's radiator. I just bought one. I believe there is a forum discount for just under $200. Worth the extra bucks to get a known good rad.

 

Nope. Running like a top with no coolant loss.

 

I bought a dirt cheap radiator from eBay for my old van. When it got here, I was shocked! It was an actual brand name radiator for $60.
For that price, it may be worth it. Did you have a look at Rockauto? Sometimes they have really good deals too.
A guy I work with was told, by a shop, that he had to get a factory radiator for his car. He said it was too new and there were no aftermarket radiators available for it. I told him to check Rockauto and he found one for $90. It's still in there with no problems, two years later.