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Author
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Topic: Crappy Radiator
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indyphil
Gearhead Posts: 574
From: Lafayette, IN, USA
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 06-04-2003 11:06 PM
   
Time to vent.
I received my 225 dollar 3 row high efficiency radiator on Monday. Im sure that sometime it will fix the warm running problems I had with my old scaled up 2 row classic radiator. If I only I could drive my darn car to find out.I opened the box to find that the paint was flaking off the top of the rad. No problem I thought, I just touch it up myself. This ended up being a big PIA because its water based paint. Anyway it should have been a warning. The top tank looked nothing like the old one even though it was supposed to have "stock style" tanks. Well I then discovered that the transmission cooler bosses had gotten a good coat of paint and so I had to mess with things to get the fittings for the tranny lines in. They also didnt seem to be very square. After installing I couldnt tell if the petcock was open or closed, But it didnt matter because since it also got a coat of black paint it is never going to be usable. This is a shame because the non-stock bottom tank puts the petcock to close to my X-member to use a decent aftermarket petcock. Essentially it becomes a plug. After filling the radiator and not seeing any leaks (hurray) I started the car only to see tranny fluid leaking from the fittings. I tried tightening them and it seemed to work. After a short drive around I discovered that it was leaking again. I have now re-installed the fittings with teflon tape. Still leaking - only worse, instead of a drip its a steady stream. Im at my wits end because now my alternator has given up on me. Might be a sign that my electric fan (13amp?) and headlights draw too much current when on at the same time? Anyway, im sad. has anyone else had so much trouble with their tranny fluid lines leaking? My buddy that helped with the install said he has had similar problems before - he suggested the teflon tape. Would some nice Earls hosing and fittings help? that would be like retail therapy for me... ------------------
'68 coupe 289 C code
66 heads, edel 600cfm carb, performer intake, dual exhaust
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Fastback68
Gearhead Posts: 1530
From: Sucat, Paranaque, Philippines
Registered: Jul 99
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posted 06-04-2003 11:25 PM
That's a very sad story  I'm sure I've read many times that you're wasting your time using teflon tape with tranny lines.
My story is a little different, since I have an original radiator. But it took me some time to discover the bottom tank was off a Nissan. I found one of a 68 Torino and got someone to overhaul it and attach it, and now there's no leaking and it sits nicely in the perches too (you may not have those - depends on your car).
Anyhow, would it be possible to replace the bottom tank with your original one, or, if it's too beaten up, to find another?
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Robert K
Gearhead Posts: 496
From: Nashville, TN
Registered: Apr 2000
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posted 06-05-2003 09:11 AM
If it makes you feel any better, I had similar problem with a new 4-row radiator I bought. Just like yours, mine came out of the box with paint flaking off the top and looked very cheap and flimsy. Nothing like the original radiator. But I installed it anyway. It leaked along the bottom tank almost since the day I installed it. The leak wasn't bad just annoying. Of course over time the leak worsened (as they always do) to the point that I called the place where I got it and they pro-rated it since it had a 3 year warranty. I got another radiator from the same place and this one looked really good out of the box. Similar construction to the original one. Of course this one leaked around the drain petcock. I removed it and there was no teflon tape on it. I had to use vise grips to remove it because it was on so tight and damaged it in the process. So off I go to the auto parts to get a new petcock for my new radiator. I installed it with teflon tape and haven't had any problems since. By the way, that is the last radiator I will buy from that place. That first radiator I had was an absolute piece of junk that they should be emarassed to sell !------------------
67convertible 289/auto
65fastback 302/4sp [This message has been edited by Robert K (edited 06-09-2003).]
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Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 19518
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 06-05-2003 11:30 PM
Just one more reason why I NEVER use a radiator trans cooler.
A separate trans cooler is always a better bet. ------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator NHRA/IHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
MCA member# 53321
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA National Record Holder '00,'01,'02,&'03
First SS/MA in the TENS!
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28
Professional Manwhore
The Barry of BarrysGrrl Quote #1: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
Quote #2: "Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth!"
Quote #3: "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!"
www.moneymakerracing.com
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V8 Thumper
Gearhead Posts: 3203
From: Orange, Ca. United States of America
Registered: Dec 2001
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posted 06-05-2003 11:35 PM
And makes for a more affordable radiator  ------------------
1965 GT coupe, 333ci aluminum headed/solid cammed stroker, four speed, 3.70:1 9" All Blue Oval, no blue bottle
http://mustangsandmore.50megs.com/V8Thumper.html
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indyphil
Gearhead Posts: 574
From: Lafayette, IN, USA
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 06-06-2003 12:03 PM
If I put on a seperate trans cooler can I miss out the rad cooler altogether? I thought they were supposed to go through both in series if you installed an aftermarket cooler?I may do that eventually but for now the lines have quit leaking after I tightened the fittings some more. Someday down the road I will have to work on my tranny to make it shift a little firmer and maybe a higher stall if I ever put more cam in the motor. at that point I was thinking about the extra cooler and the deep fill racing pan for the tranny. Also put on a new alternator and its charging fine now. I hope it lasts. ------------------
'68 coupe 289 C code
66 heads, edel 600cfm carb, performer intake, dual exhaust
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69 Sportsroof
Gearhead Posts: 1101
From: Valley, Alabama, USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 06-06-2003 12:09 PM
quote:
Originally posted by indyphil:
If I put on a seperate trans cooler can I miss out the rad cooler altogether? I thought they were supposed to go through both in series if you installed an aftermarket cooler?
That's the same thing I had heard. If not, then I'm one step closer to my AOD.... 
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Fastback68
Gearhead Posts: 1530
From: Sucat, Paranaque, Philippines
Registered: Jul 99
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posted 06-09-2003 07:17 AM
Did the person(s) who said they should go in series give any reason for this? My version of common sense tells me there's no reason to use the rad cooler anymore if the separate cooler is big enough to do its job.
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