What did you do to your truck today? Chapter II

[stevenfromtexas]

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[Steeveedee]

Replaced the fan clutch a couple of weeks ago. Took it and ran it at 65 MPH up a long steep freeway grade that we have here. Got to 220º going up, and dropped to 205º on the way down. Cruising in town coming back home, it held right about 205º. I'll drain the radiator down far enough to check the tubes for crud. I have a 7-mile jaunt scheduled for a camp out close to home, to check it out further, and I won't be driving that fast- with the trailer it'll not be over 55- and some of the road is posted for 45 MPH. It ought to be running a little hot, when the air temperature is still over 110º. All this is with a 190º thermostat.

I'm up in the air whether to rod this one (if that is all it needs), as it is a 4-row brass job, replace it with the same, or get an aluminum radiator. Any one know off hand if the aluminum radiators are a direct fit? I've seen some pics of modifications being required to the radiator hose connections.

[VWNate1]

As you said you have a four row core brass radiator it's a fairly simple thing to clean, use powdered citric acid mixed one pound of citric acid to each gallon of distilled water ~ mix this outside of the radiator and drive it a day or two, the coolant will turn dead black as it does it's thing, drain, flush and repeat until there's no clouds in the water / acid mix and no visible solder bloom .

This works with aluminum cooling systems too .

Remember to leave the heater's water valve wide open so it gets cleaned out too and never use tap water ! .

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by VWNate1

As you said you have a four row core brass radiator it's a fairly simple thing to clean, use powdered citric acid mixed one pound of citric acid to each gallon of distilled water ~ mix this outside of the radiator and drive it a day or two, the coolant will turn dead black as it does it's thing, drain, flush and repeat until there's no clouds in the water / acid mix and no visible solder bloom .

This works with aluminum cooling systems too .

Remember to leave the heater's water valve wide open so it gets cleaned out too and never use tap water ! .

Thanks! I flushed it about 5 years ago and put in water wetter and water pump lube, along with 50/50 coolant. I'll do this flushing after I get back from camping. We're not going all that far and it's pretty much level ground so we should be good for that little trip. I don't know if I have solder bloom, I haven't checked yet. I'll be doing checking that tomorrow. The wife wants the trailer in front of our house tomorrow to plug in the fridge and get it good and cold before we leave and it switches to propane. I'm charging the batteries which were deader than a mackerel. But that's a different problem to deal with. I'm thinking master disconnect or a solar panel and a voltage regulator to keep the batteries topped up. First I have to make sure that the batteries are any good after being flat for about a year, since that's how long it's been since we went camping last. Hand surgery has put that item on hold.

[Already Gone]

Installed LEDS for my backup lights. Looking at the license plate light I should get one in there too.

[3757chevy]

Originally Posted by stevenfromtexas

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Now we need to start a tailgate Tuesday thread.

[BRL]

Originally Posted by 3757chevy

Now we need to start a tailgate Tuesday thread.

Hey I like that idea!

Then we can go with Whatever Wednesday!

Hot Dang!