Replacement radiator

Hey all forum users...

Just a quick question. I was thinking about replacing my radiator with an aluminum one (I've been looking at Be Cool, Moroso, JEGS, and so on) since I am replacing thermostat, overfill reservoir, and water pump (96 jimmy 4.3 Vortec V6 W series with 135,000 miles - I guess it's about time huh ) but can't seem to find one that is more of a bolt on than universal. The universal GM radiators have various sizes for a Jimmy (I think there are 4 to 5 sizes) and their advertisments say that minor body modifications may be necessary to fit these radiators. I am not really into modifying the front end of the engine compartment to fit a radiator in there. Just wondering if anyone had any ideas or suggestions.

You don't have to replace the overflow tank. Why would you do that? Just rinse it out and reinstall it.

First off you need to know whether you have the built in tranny, oil and cooling coolers built into the rad.

I would stick to the stock replacement. It more than keeps our engine really cool if they are running properly.

Do you have to replace all this or are they failing or failed?

actually, unless the blahzers have VO5 engine cooling? (or is it KC4? or is that oil cooling? whatever) they are woefully on the edge of meltdown.

I got a 'double wide' Modine from a local shop (my cost was only $150 with both 5 plate tranny and 3 plate oil coolers) and what a difference it made in the non-towing cooling, let alone towing.

Thanks for the information...

Blazer,

The reservoir overfill tank is becoming brittle and about to fall apart (I guess plastic does deteriorate after 9 years.....ha ha). My water pump also gave out (this will only be the second one in nine years) and I have never replaced the thermostat which a friend of mine, who is a GMC Tech, told me that I should do.

I just wanted to replace the radiator with a lighter aluminum one that offered better cooling which would also allow for an increase in horsepower. Anything to get more power (I mean I've installed headers, cat back system exhaust, cold air intake, and superchip). I'm also looking at changing out the pulleys as well.....just need the money...ha ha.

Thanks for the info though.

Replacing a rad does not make more horsepower.

The difference in temperature will be practically nil.

Just flush your system, replace the coolant and parts needed and put the money into somethig else like a cold air intake or a exhaust.

Does you truck have tranny and oil coolers?

Yes it does. I already have a cold air intake, Edelbrock headers, Flowmaster American Thunder exhaust, Kenne Bell Chip, and was looking at changing pulleys as well.

Ummm...okay, just read an article in Hot Rod magazine (albeit a few months old) and watched an episode of Trucks! as well as Horsepower TV that praised the benefits of aluminum radiators including the lighter load, better cooling efficiency which allowed the engines to perform better......I think even the Be Cool site mentions that....of course they are trying to sell you the radiator....ha ha ha....

Anyway, I'm not an automotive expert.....just a backyard mechanic/tinkerer....
Thanks again.

Yes it does. I already have a cold air intake, Edelbrock headers, Flowmaster American Thunder exhaust, Kenne Bell Chip, and was looking at changing pulleys as well.

Ummm...okay, just read an article in Hot Rod magazine (albeit a few months old) and watched an episode of Trucks! as well as Horsepower TV that praised the benefits of aluminum radiators including the lighter load, better cooling efficiency which allowed the engines to perform better......I think even the Be Cool site mentions that....of course they are trying to sell you the radiator....ha ha ha....

Anyway, I'm not an automotive expert.....just a backyard mechanic/tinkerer....
Thanks again.

when you say 'aluminum radiator' to what are you referring? the OEM unit has an AL core and clamped on plastic side tanks. OR do you mean the WHOLE thing is AL? Or are you confusing it with the old brass/copper soldered units? IF the latter, ferget it, the unequal expansion rates always crack em.

If you mean all aluminum, no need, the larger 'towing' radiator with plastic tanks will give all the cooling efficiency you require, even in extreme conditions.

Actually, most are copper which conducts heat better anyways.

This problem has nothing to do with the type of rad, it has something to do with something in the actual cooling system not opening up like the thermostat.

Have you even checked that yet?

Yep....Just replaced thermostat.....

Thanks for all the assistance....all this information has been very informative....

:-)

Did you do a full system flush and replace the coolant?

Yep.....I did. Flushed it like 6 times. Even went with GM technician's suggestion that I switch from Dexcool to good ol' green stuff since, according to the GM dealership here, Dexcool tends to form deposits after a length of time.

Thanks.

If you switched to green, I hope you flushed all of it out well.

Green and orange don't mix well.

Yep...made sure of that....was told to flush it extremely well by GM technician...gave me step by step instructions as well as a few bottles of radiator flush that they use in their shop....I did that plus I bought a few bottles of flush from the local parts store.

Excellent, make sure you install a new rad cap.

the factory one is flawed.

Thanks for the advice about the radiator cap.....didn't realize the factory one was defective.....

np ;)