CUCV Radiator Replacement

[ssdvc]

And I doubt it needs re-cored. I suspect it can be repaired. Radiator shops are far and few between. I have one locally and it is 3rd generation and the man that runs it now is my age. When he retires, I doubt that trade will be picked up by anyone else. Some trades are just fading away.

Yup, I have too drive 45 minutes for the nearest shop. I am hoping it is a simple fix. We shall see.

 

[Mullaney]

And I doubt it needs re-cored. I suspect it can be repaired. Radiator shops are far and few between. I have one locally and it is 3rd generation and the man that runs it now is my age. When he retires, I doubt that trade will be picked up by anyone else. Some trades are just fading away.

.
It seems that more and more we have become a throw-away society. Used to be that there were several radiator shops here in town. Now I think there are two. And we are a pretty big town...

 

[Keith_J]

Here's the one I used. It does require some modification on the hold-downs because it is slimmer on top than the old one.

Mine came from seller highracing on fleabay, $275 shipped.

Brand: DH Racing Parts
Manufacturer Part Number: DPI850 850 CU850

Cheers


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Thanks for the tip..great price.
I used to have reservations on aluminum as I didn't know it can be soldered. I now have a good quantity of SnZn alloy rods plus have used them for such repairs.

 

[cucvrus]

Yup, I have too drive 45 minutes for the nearest shop. I am hoping it is a simple fix. We shall see.

Take it out of the truck. And wash it clean. I am sure it can be repaired at a fraction of the cost of a replacement. Heck mail it down in a box and i will get it fixed and mail it back. It will still be less than a replacement. I still have 2 Harrison OEM's that I found while looking for body shims. 1 is good to go the other one has been in a box since October 1995.

 

[ssdvc]

Rick, if your willing to let one go, let me know how much you want for the one in the box, shipped. I think I'll install a new one and repair the old, since they are getting really tough to find these days !!

 

[cucvrus]

I still have a few CUCV's under my tutelage, and the horror stories I hear on here have me scared to even think about needing a new radiator. But the ace up my sleeve has always been to repair what I currently have and search while I still have what I needed to begin with. The re-core is still the best for sure value and is a 100% guarantee that you are getting Like, Kind, Quality. Good Luck. I am keeping my stock on radiators after these discussions.

 

[ssdvc]

LOL !! Completely understand !! Just thought I'd ask.

 

[ssdvc]

So, I priced a re-core this week. Only two places near me (within an hours drive) will do it. Both are north of $600+, both places have at least a two month backlog of work and both only offer a 1 year warrantee. I think I am going to get it done, but cost wise is it not doable right now. I need a reasonably priced replacement sooner than later (the beast is marking my garage floor in a big way now and I don't want to chance driving her).

To that end, I have found several reasonably priced aluminum options on eBay, all with lifetime warrantees. However, I want to make sure they are plug and play. So, does anyone know what size the fittings are called out for our oil and transmission cooler connections to the radiator? I want to ask BEFORE I make a purchase. I also know I'll need to buy some extra rubber insulators for the top and bottom to make sure she sits securely in place. Hoses are also on the agenda.

Also, if anyone has any, other than Ebay suggestions for a radiator, please let me know.

 

[Mullaney]

So, I priced a re-core this week. Only two places near me (within an hours drive) will do it. Both are north of $600+, both places have at least a two month backlog of work and both only offer a 1 year warrantee. I think I am going to get it done, but cost wise is it not doable right now. I need a reasonably priced replacement sooner than later (the beast is marking my garage floor in a big way now and I don't want to chance driving her).

To that end, I have found several reasonably priced aluminum options on eBay, all with lifetime warrantees. However, I want to make sure they are plug and play. So, does anyone know what size the fittings are called out for our oil and transmission cooler connections to the radiator? I want to ask BEFORE I make a purchase. I also know I'll need to buy some extra rubber insulators for the top and bottom to make sure she sits securely in place. Hoses are also on the agenda.

Also, if anyone has any, other than Ebay suggestions for a radiator, please let me know.

.
Don't know if you have an O'Reilly Auto Parts in your area of the country or not. Auto Zone, or Advance Auto are possibilities around here on top of the local NAPA. Seems that they are all willing to offer a lifetime warranty on most parts. I imagine it is to give them something to compete with - against the on-line stores. Maybe I am just weird, I just prefer a brick and mortar store when dealing with a warranty.

Of course, there was Sears who sold Craftsman tools.
And they are gone.

 

[ssdvc]

Thanks for the suggestion and I too prefer local, brick and mortar. However, none of those have an available radiator that fits our trucks. AND, if they did, the price is now $850 each. That's a lot of green backs for some aluminum !

 

[Mainsail]

Wow, I just looked up the p/n for the NAPA rad I bought in 2017 - back then it was $305 before tax.

Same p/n now, out of stock no less, is displaying $1,705!

Have you gone into the NAPA and talked to them? Sometimes they can find things the online search doesn't.

 

[adf5565]

So, I priced a re-core this week. Only two places near me (within an hours drive) will do it. Both are north of $600+, both places have at least a two month backlog of work and both only offer a 1 year warrantee. I think I am going to get it done, but cost wise is it not doable right now. I need a reasonably priced replacement sooner than later (the beast is marking my garage floor in a big way now and I don't want to chance driving her).

To that end, I have found several reasonably priced aluminum options on eBay, all with lifetime warrantees. However, I want to make sure they are plug and play. So, does anyone know what size the fittings are called out for our oil and transmission cooler connections to the radiator? I want to ask BEFORE I make a purchase. I also know I'll need to buy some extra rubber insulators for the top and bottom to make sure she sits securely in place. Hoses are also on the agenda.

Also, if anyone has any, other than Ebay suggestions for a radiator, please let me know.

I don’t know the oil cooler lines but the trans cooler lines are 1/2” -20 inverted flare. It’s more hassle/money but summit has a good selection of fitting adapters so if a cheap radiator has something different you should be able to make it work.

 

[ssdvc]

Thanks 5565. Anyone know the oil line fitting size?

 

[ssdvc]

OK, I went out and got 3 estimates to recore my radiator. First two came in around $850 to $900 and the third one said I would have to take it out and he would have to look at it before he could give me an estimate. The first two places were within a hour of the house and the last one was even further. All of them would only offer a 6 month or 1 year warrantee. I am thinking that a recore is not worth it.

So, I decided to give eBay a shot. I found one of the sellers had what looked like a correct radiator, in all aluminum, with both oil and trans coolers incorporated within the unit and the proper fittings to fit my truck. It is also a 4 core unit. Price was $259, shipping was free. Seller has a 99.7 feedback rating with almost 6000 transactions, which is pretty good. The unit also has a lifetime warrantee (I am sure there is a catch, but I hope I never have to use it).

I will report back when I receive the unit and examine it for shipping damage. Once I can get to it, I will report on fit, function and anything else. If it works out, I will provide the link so that others looking for a reasonable cost replacement can take advantage.

 

[mtperkins]

Just get one from John @ Hillbilly Wizzard. They sell used ones.

 

[cucvrus]

Does a used one come with a warranty? I don't think so. If it don't leak at the time of install you are a winner. And finding a good used one is 3/4 of the battle. Warranty or no warranty you found one. I am happy for you. I have a brand new one in the box and it has no warranty. But in my mind I know it is a copper and brass OEM Harrison. Maybe never need it. I still think the re-core is the best deal. I used to buy the plastic aluminum and I always liked them best. Make sure to put new support pads in place so the used radiator has a good foundation to sit on. Good Luck. I am over 60 and have a few leaks. Unwarranted leaks.

 

[ezgn]

Does a used one come with a warranty? I don't think so. If it don't leak at the time of install you are a winner. And finding a good used one is 3/4 of the battle. Warranty or no warranty you found one. I am happy for you. I have a brand new one in the box and it has no warranty. But in my mind I know it is a copper and brass OEM Harrison. Maybe never need it. I still think the re-core is the best deal. I used to buy the plastic aluminum and I always liked them best. Make sure to put new support pads in place so the used radiator has a good foundation to sit on. Good Luck. I am over 60 and have a few leaks. Unwarranted leaks.

Don't worry, having a few leaks is not a problem, it's when you can't leak that you have a problem!

 

[Keith_J]

I had a perfect radiator before I used Blue Devil cooling system flush..seems that it removed solder bloom which caused a leak in the lower passenger side..and this coincided with a head gasket leak.

I had a difficult time getting a proper flush with heavy sediment in the expansion recovery tank accumulating after a month of running so I installed a bypass coolant filter in the heater lines plus installing a heater core bypass valve. These additions are successful, coolant is free of sediment and radiator is not leaking . I know the plumbing paradox that leaks never fix themselves and this certainly applies here.

Once the head gaskets are installed, I'm going to DIY fix the radiator by vacuum desoldering the tanks, rodding out the core with pressure test of each tube, plugging all leaks before soldering the tanks back on.

 

[ssdvc]

Well, got the radiator today, which was really a quick ship, since I ordered it Tuesday. She looks good and was packed well. All aluminum, including the tanks and has proper bungs for everything. All sizes seem correct for my fittings on the truck. Install will tell if everything goes together correctly.

 

[Keith_J]

Well, got the radiator today, which was really a quick ship, since I ordered it Tuesday. She looks good and was packed well. All aluminum, including the tanks and has proper bungs for everything. All sizes seem correct for my fittings on the truck. Install will tell if everything goes together correctly.

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Pretty good welding, just a few smutty areas. Not that I could do better but good looking for that price point.