Radiator Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

CCCC · 01-21-2014, 12:43 AM

I have 2 or 3 radiators (for these trucks) of unknown workability - suspect that each has a leak problem - but have little experience with radiator issues and don't know whether it is worth trying to diagnose/repair them.

Is there any rule of thumb here - which problem aspects are feasible to fix and which problems say "junk it"? Any quick home tests - or need I take them the 120 miles to a rad shop?

Any instructions/suggestions will be appreciated.

Z10 · 01-21-2014, 01:13 AM

Here's another alternative. New drop in 2 core radiator for about $225 delivered. I bought mine on ebay. You'll see it in my build thread.
http://www.speedcooling.com/Radiator...r/prod_38.html

oldschool18 · 01-21-2014, 02:46 AM

find out who close to you is paying the most in scrap and get a jump start on a new one.

**LockDoc** · 01-21-2014, 11:10 AM

-
If you can find something to plug the bottom outlet with you can fill it with water. That will tell you if it has any major problems. It won't tell you what it will do under pressure but if it passes this test any leaks it would have under pressure should be a pretty easy fix. I use a plug like in the link below, available at most hardware and automotive stores.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/rn...FWJo7AodsggAUA

It is called an expandable plug.

LockDoc

CCCC · 01-22-2014, 12:35 AM

Thanks LockDoc, for the tip. I have seen those plugs used elsewhere and will get one - at least will enable me to do the no-pressure test for leaks.

I may wind up scrapping these three, but there a lot of trucks around here so I should check them out before i give up on them. A re-seal job I had done down one side of a core quite a few years ago for $40 is still working fine - so there may be hope.

Thanks again.

**LockDoc** · 01-22-2014, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCCC

Thanks LockDoc, for the tip. I have seen those plugs used elsewhere and will get one - at least will enable me to do the no-pressure test for leaks.

I may wind up scrapping these three, but there a lot of trucks around here so I should check them out before i give up on them. A re-seal job I had done down one side of a core quite a few years ago for $40 is still working fine - so there may be hope.

Thanks again.

No problem. I save them all, especially the 4 core ones.

LockDoc

01-21-2014, 12:43 AM	#1
CCCC Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Pedro River, SE Arizona Posts: 734	Radiator Question I have 2 or 3 radiators (for these trucks) of unknown workability - suspect that each has a leak problem - but have little experience with radiator issues and don't know whether it is worth trying to diagnose/repair them. Is there any rule of thumb here - which problem aspects are feasible to fix and which problems say "junk it"? Any quick home tests - or need I take them the 120 miles to a rad shop? Any instructions/suggestions will be appreciated. __________________ CCCC 67 Sting Ray Coupe 327 4sp; 68 K10 Suburban 327 4sp; 69 K20 Lifted 383 4sp; 69 C80 Fire Truck 478 V6 5sp/2sp; 69 C20 Longhorn 327 4sp; 70 C30 Wrecker 350 4sp; 70 C30 Flat Bed 350 4sp; 71 C20 LWB 350 4sp; 72 K5 Blazer 350 4sp; 72 C30 Flat Bed Gooseneck Hauler with sleeper 350/TH400; 72 C20 Longhorn 402 4sp; 52 Mack LTL Supercharged Cummins 5sp x 3sp; 01 Dodge 5.9 HO Cummins 6spd; 02 Safari Trek 2430 8.1 Vortec on Workhorse Chassis; 03 Silverado 2500 HD 4wd Duramax/Allison Moved but still in the family 70 C20 Custom Camper 350/TH350; 72 K5 Blazer CST Highlander 350/TH350 Recently sent to new homes 72 C30 MoHome 402 4sp; 72 K5 Blazer Conv 350 4sp; 75 GMC 6000 Aerial 350 w Allison; 72 GMC 3500 Utility 350 4sp; 70 GMC 3500, 350 4sp

01-21-2014, 01:13 AM	#2
Z10 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Midland, TX Posts: 1,267	Re: Radiator Question Here's another alternative. New drop in 2 core radiator for about $225 delivered. I bought mine on ebay. You'll see it in my build thread. http://www.speedcooling.com/Radiator...r/prod_38.html __________________ 1969 RS/SS Z10 Camaro Pace coupe 1972 GMC Short Step buildhttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post6356218 1979 Mazda RX7 1979 Pontiac Trans Am WS6 & 1979 Pontiac Trans Am 10th Anniversary 1999 Honda Valkyrie 2006 Corvette Z06 2010 BMW 650i

01-21-2014, 02:46 AM	#3
oldschool18 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Hollidaysburg, PA Posts: 785	Re: Radiator Question find out who close to you is paying the most in scrap and get a jump start on a new one. __________________ _________________________________ 62 Impala 70 C-10 LWB 71 K-10 SWB 85 C-10 LWB==SOLD 01 2500 HD Members Met......2003Silverado (Dave)

01-21-2014, 11:10 AM	#4
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,575	Re: Radiator Question - If you can find something to plug the bottom outlet with you can fill it with water. That will tell you if it has any major problems. It won't tell you what it will do under pressure but if it passes this test any leaks it would have under pressure should be a pretty easy fix. I use a plug like in the link below, available at most hardware and automotive stores. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/rn...FWJo7AodsggAUA It is called an expandable plug. LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

01-22-2014, 12:35 AM	#5
CCCC Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Pedro River, SE Arizona Posts: 734	Re: Radiator Question Thanks LockDoc, for the tip. I have seen those plugs used elsewhere and will get one - at least will enable me to do the no-pressure test for leaks. I may wind up scrapping these three, but there a lot of trucks around here so I should check them out before i give up on them. A re-seal job I had done down one side of a core quite a few years ago for $40 is still working fine - so there may be hope. Thanks again. __________________ CCCC 67 Sting Ray Coupe 327 4sp; 68 K10 Suburban 327 4sp; 69 K20 Lifted 383 4sp; 69 C80 Fire Truck 478 V6 5sp/2sp; 69 C20 Longhorn 327 4sp; 70 C30 Wrecker 350 4sp; 70 C30 Flat Bed 350 4sp; 71 C20 LWB 350 4sp; 72 K5 Blazer 350 4sp; 72 C30 Flat Bed Gooseneck Hauler with sleeper 350/TH400; 72 C20 Longhorn 402 4sp; 52 Mack LTL Supercharged Cummins 5sp x 3sp; 01 Dodge 5.9 HO Cummins 6spd; 02 Safari Trek 2430 8.1 Vortec on Workhorse Chassis; 03 Silverado 2500 HD 4wd Duramax/Allison Moved but still in the family 70 C20 Custom Camper 350/TH350; 72 K5 Blazer CST Highlander 350/TH350 Recently sent to new homes 72 C30 MoHome 402 4sp; 72 K5 Blazer Conv 350 4sp; 75 GMC 6000 Aerial 350 w Allison; 72 GMC 3500 Utility 350 4sp; 70 GMC 3500, 350 4sp



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