d.p Posted September 18, 2017 Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 Just wondering what the general consensus is, I have the original copper rad in my truck which seems to have sprung a leak. I can get it re-cored or I can just buy a Koyo, what say you? Quote Link to comment
]2eDeYe Posted September 18, 2017 Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 Depends on your goals, re-core is not cheap. If you want the factory radiator it is the way to go. If you just want to cool your motor, a newer aluminum radiator is probably cheaper and quicker. 2 Quote Link to comment
d.p Posted September 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 Is one better than the other? Koyo RAD for $250 and no idea how much to re-core mine is yet. But from what I have read somewhere around $200? Quote Link to comment
racerx Posted September 18, 2017 Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 Did u ask the shop how much? Quote Link to comment
d.p Posted September 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 Yeah but he wouldn't give me a price over the phone, has to see it in person. Aluminum better than copper? My shit is leaking on the driver side somewhere above or near the petcock. Or its running down from somewhere up above but the upper hose is tight/dry so it leads me to believe that its either over pressurized or some leak that only occurs once I drive it and let it sit. It does not come out the overflow tube on the other side. Can having too much coolant cause it to leak? I wouldn't think so but I did top it off a couple days ago. Quote Link to comment
racerx Posted September 18, 2017 Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 Either way u have to take it out. So take it to him and see how much he will recore. Maybe I'm bias with ok skool stuff, copper is better. I think they started making alum. Rads cuz of cost. 2 Quote Link to comment
Stoffregen Motorsports Posted September 18, 2017 Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 Both options have their place in the automotive world. If you're leaving the car/truck mostly stock, then I'd just re-core it. If the radiator needs a different layout, ie- for an engine swap, with diffferent size inlet/out or different inlet/outlet locations, then I'd go for a different radiator. Eat a dick is not an option. 3 Quote Link to comment
d.p Posted September 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 lol...Thanks stoffgren...not doing a swap and still have the stock L16 but like to dress things up where I can. Was wondering whether my truck would run cooler with a newer 3row aluminum. Going to rent one of those radiator testers from pep boys and see what it does. If it leaks will pull it and see what the radiator shop says. Quote Link to comment
racerx Posted September 18, 2017 Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 Maybe its just the o ring on the pet cock that's leaking? Do this first before testing radiator. How will it hold pressure when theirs a leak? Quote Link to comment
Crashtd420 Posted September 18, 2017 Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 Find the leak first... could be just a pin hole on a seam or something.... Those pressure testers work pretty good... should expose the location of the leak.. If you haven't had any overheating issues than it may not even need a recore.... If it's leaking from the core than you will need to make a decision .... And ya it was me who voted "eat a dick" Shouldn't have gave me a 3rd option... 1 Quote Link to comment
Crashtd420 Posted September 18, 2017 Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 Maybe its just the o ring on the pet cock that's leaking? Do this first before testing radiator. How will it hold pressure when theirs a leak? It definately wont hold pressure... The benefit is the fan won't be blowing a small leak all over... and it won't be hot trying to find it.... free rental so why not.... Quote Link to comment
d.p Posted September 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 Maybe its just the o ring on the pet cock that's leaking? Do this first before testing radiator. How will it hold pressure when theirs a leak? Ok? But if it is it will leak when I test it right? Quote Link to comment
Crashtd420 Posted September 18, 2017 Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 Ok? But if it is it will leak when I test it right?It should.... Quote Link to comment
racerx Posted September 18, 2017 Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 Yes, I worded wrong. Before you leave pep boys make sure everything is in kit and see if it fits your rad. One time, I left autozone, they were busy and I lost my patience cuz waiting too long, did not check kit. Quote Link to comment
d.p Posted September 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 Anyone know the size of the o-ring on the pet cock? Or something to tell me what size to look for? Quote Link to comment
racerx Posted September 18, 2017 Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 Dunno but take it off and go to hardware store and match or autostore. I think I got mine from Winchester auto, back in the days. Getting old....good luck. Quote Link to comment
d.p Posted September 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 Well if I take it out I loose all my coolant. So I should test it then check the o ring? Also coolant on the tray/lip above the pet cock so unless it's traveling up I don't think it's that. Who knows though. Quote Link to comment
racerx Posted September 18, 2017 Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 Slide a container underneath it. You can always reuse the coolant, if still clean. If you don't have a coolant container good to have one for oil and one coolant. Quote Link to comment
flatcat19 Posted September 18, 2017 Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 I'd buy the koyo without even sneezing. 1 Quote Link to comment
d.p Posted September 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 Well tester don't even fit on my rad. Fuckkng drained it and no o ring on the pet cock. I guess at this point I might as well just take the rad and get it checked out Quote Link to comment
racerx Posted September 18, 2017 Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 No o ring! Should have one. Did you take out the pet cock all the way? Quote Link to comment
Crashtd420 Posted September 18, 2017 Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 It's more of a rubber flat washer..... I check my original radiator and when I pull the petcock out the rubber stayed in the radiator.... Quote Link to comment
d.p Posted September 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 Thanks crash... Here is mine and by the looks of that lower left corner looks like its been leaking forever. I watch this truck like a hawk for leaks and only recently noticed coolant leaking at all so no idea what the deal is with it. Maybe time to just move on from this fucker and just get a koyo? Quote Link to comment
Crashtd420 Posted September 18, 2017 Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 Well it's out see what a radiator shop says.. May only be a 20 fix ... Who knows... New radiator can never hurt unless you buy a pos... Quote Link to comment
d.p Posted September 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 Agreed. Also no washer, looks like there was one at one time but not anymore. Besides not sure that was my problem because there was coolant under the core on the lip above the bottom tank and I don't think coolant would get up there while the truck was parked. Quote Link to comment
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