Time for a new radiator?

[enzia35]

Re: Time for a new radiator?

Look on rockauto. They have one for cheap. works great, installs easy.

[ScottS4050]

Re: Time for a new radiator?

Hey guys - I'm reviving this old thread (that I started.) I nursed my radiator along for a couple of months, but now the side tank completely blew out. I will probably replace it with one from Autozone. The V8 radiator is actually cheaper by $20 (don't know why.) What I am wondering is if the fan assembly is different in the V8 vs V6? If it is the same fan then I see absolutely no reason not to buy the V8 radiator. Any of you guys have experience with this? According to the Autozone website, they both take the same part number.

[3.4grapeofwrath]

Re: Time for a new radiator?

Hey guys - I'm reviving this old thread (that I started.) I nursed my radiator along for a couple of months, but now the side tank completely blew out. I will probably replace it with one from Autozone. The V8 radiator is actually cheaper by $20 (don't know why.) What I am wondering is if the fan assembly is different in the V8 vs V6? If it is the same fan then I see absolutely no reason not to buy the V8 radiator. Any of you guys have experience with this? According to the Autozone website, they both take the same part number.

I'm running the LT1 dual fans on my 3.4 liter v6 which was a single fan. The fans mounted right up with no modifications, except for the wiring.

[transamtom1]

Re: Time for a new radiator?

I used a Spectra Premium #CU1485 V8 rad in my car.

It runs real cool even on the hottest day in traffic its never over 1/2 on the guage.

I did it in 2009 BTW.

[transamtom1]

Re: Time for a new radiator?

BTW my 2001 W68/Y87 has dual fans from the factory.

[jimfire]

Re: Time for a new radiator?

Hey guys - I'm reviving this old thread (that I started.) I nursed my radiator along for a couple of months, but now the side tank completely blew out. I will probably replace it with one from Autozone. The V8 radiator is actually cheaper by $20 (don't know why.) What I am wondering is if the fan assembly is different in the V8 vs V6? If it is the same fan then I see absolutely no reason not to buy the V8 radiator. Any of you guys have experience with this? According to the Autozone website, they both take the same part number.

Anytime autozone quotes that the parts are interchangeable,ask to see the drawings of both item #s and see if they match up,ask them to print up both diagrams.:)

-jimfire

[ScottS4050]

Re: Time for a new radiator?

UPDATE - I went ahead and bought the V8 radiator from Autozone. It is Spectra model # CU1486.
The core is about 1/4 of an inch thicker than the stock V6 radiator's. All other dimensions and mounting points are the same.
It does fit. However, it has two nipples that you will need to block (one on each tank.)
I bought a "Bypass Cap Assortment" from the "HELP!" section (part # 02253.) Also an assortment of small hose clamps.
There is a 1/2" nipple on the bottom of the left tank, and a 1/4" nipple on the top of the right tank that you must block off with the caps.
I assume these are for either the heater circuit, or the throttle body circuit on the LS1 cars (not sure though.)
Make sure you flush your system well and use distilled water to fill it back up (along with at least one gallon of antifreeze.)
The distilled water is especially important if you use Dexcool antifreeze (the orange stuff.)
I went old school and used the green stuff after my mechanic recommended I do so.

Note: My Camaro is a 2001. This may or may not apply to other model years.

[FirebirdGT]

Re: Time for a new radiator?

I went old school and used the green stuff after my mechanic recommended I do so.

Guess you'll start using leaded gas now too. :rolleyes:

Your mechanic is an idiot.

.

[ScottS4050]

Re: Time for a new radiator?

Guess you'll start using leaded gas now too. :rolleyes:

Your mechanic is an idiot.

.

Somehow I doubt that. He owns a very reputable shop and has been in business for 30+ years. Never has he given me bad advice.
As for the leaded gas, what's wrong with that?? I've been running it ever since I bought the car. Since (as you know) every gas station here in AZ sells it.
Next tank I am going to try deisel. I heard you get better milage.

[FirebirdGT]

Re: Time for a new radiator?

Somehow I doubt that. He owns a very reputable shop and has been in business for 30+ years. Never has he given me bad advice.

That explains it! He doesn't know that there are new engineering practices for modern engines.

Our engines are NOT designed for the green CRAP! Dex-cool is what needs to be used - period!
.

[ScottS4050]

Re: Time for a new radiator?

If Dex-cool is so great, then why was there a class action lawsuit filed due to it causing leaks with certain types of gaskets and causing hundreds or thousands of dollars in damage?
(although owners of F-body cars were not part of this lawsuit.) I know and trust my mechanic. He very much knows modern cars and problems associated with them. If you want to continue to use Dexcool, then by all means do so. I used to say the same thing as you, but every time I use Dex-cool it turns muddy on me, sometimes within a month or two. And I always flushed the system well and used distilled water. I'll take my chances with the green "Crap." I know air being introduced into Dex-cool can also cause it to get 'muddy.' So maybe I have a small leak somewhere. I wouldn't be surprised, since I have had to repair many leaks on this car.

I understand the chemical difference between the two. Dex-cool has smaller molecules, therefore they say it has better heat transfer properties, which is likely true. With that in mind, however, with smaller molecules it seems cooling systems would be more likely to develop leaks. Perhaps that is why some gaskets failed in vehicles using Dex-cool. And may possibly explain why the seals in my water pumps continued to fail on my S-10 and why I've had to fix so many leaks on the Camaro. Once the tiny Dex-cool molecules get between the molecules of the gaskets/seals, they could act as a solvent, and could break down whatever materials that don't have smaller (tightly packed) molecules than the Dex-cool. That could include rubber seals like in water pumps and hoses. As well as many other sealing surfaces, like the coatings on head gaskets, even aluminum. Then when tiny leaks form it can draw air into the system, which will cause oxidation (rust) and amplify the effect. I never really thought about it much until now, so my reasoning may be way off.

But come to think of it, I switched to the green stuff in my '99 S-10 ZR-2 about 8 years ago after having problems with failing water pump seals. I went through 5 water pumps in its first 100K miles and both Chevy dealerships here in Tucson wouldn't honor the warranty (except the first pump that failed at 26K miles.) Said it was normal wear and tear. One of the pumps didn't even last 1500 miles! The last time I replaced the water pump I switched to the green antifreeze and the pump has not failed in apx 50K miles, and I haven't needed to flush it since - it is still just as clean and green as the day I did it (although its mostly garaged and only gets driven about 5K a year now that my Camaro is my daily driver.) It never even occurred to me, until now, that it could have been the Dex-cool, I just attributed it to a poorly designed pump.

I'm tired of flushing out the Camaro. I've had it less than three years and have had to flush and replace the Dex-cool at least five times now due to it getting nasty. And now the radiator popped and I had to do it again. I also had to replace a leaky water pump on it about a month after I bought the car, and it was not the original pump either.

Anyway, I appreciate your input FirebirdGT, but unless you can prove to me that my engine is going to blow up unless I use Dex-cool, I am going to take my chances and stick with the green stuff.

Perhaps I am an idiot, perhaps not. I guess time will tell.

[FirebirdGT]

Re: Time for a new radiator?

I have 253,000 miles on Raven, and presently on the second water pump.

I DO NOT use water - AT ALL. Only the pre-mix 50/50, and Purple Ice. Changed coolant only once @ 126,400 miles. No sludge problems. Will be changed this summer.

Product liability law suits too many times are due to failure on the users part to understand proper use and maintenance - my opinion on this suit.

.

[Need4Camaro]

Re: Time for a new radiator?

I have 253,000 miles on Raven, and presently on the second water pump.

I DO NOT use water - AT ALL. Only the pre-mix 50/50, and Purple Ice. Changed coolant only once @ 126,400 miles. No sludge problems. Will be changed this summer.

Product liability law suits too many times are due to failure on the users part to understand proper use and maintenance - my opinion on this suit.

.

The Pre-Mix 50/50 stuff you're using is NOT dex-cool. It's just universal antifreeze, Dex-cool is known to eat gaskets and it is the #1 reason our intake gaskets fail prematurely.

Have you even looked into the real reason GM uses dex-cool? It's not for mechanical purposes, I can guarantee you that.

[transamtom1]

Re: Time for a new radiator?

UPDATE - However, it has two nipples that you will need to block (one on each tank.)
I bought a "Bypass Cap Assortment" from the "HELP!" section (part # 02253.) Also an assortment of small hose clamps.
There is a 1/2" nipple on the bottom of the left tank, and a 1/4" nipple on the top of the right tank that you must block off with the caps.
I assume these are for either the heater circuit, or the throttle body circuit on the LS1 cars (not sure though.)

The two nipples are:#1) passenger side below the overflow is a steam line vent from the coolant crossover on the heads.

#2) on the drivers side is for the factory powersteering cooler which blows dead bears all it does is overheat the fluid.

[ssms5411]

Re: Time for a new radiator?

I still run dex-cool in my 08' truck and it does great for cooling, even going up mountains. But do run green antifrezze in the Camaro.