HotWheelsBurban
Gotta have 4 doors..... Rawhide, TOTY 2023!
Back in the day, Murray was a good brand. We sold them for years in our parts store with very few issues. But any brand nowadays, you need to look the part over well if at all possible.
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https://www.gmt400.com/posts/1116564/
454SS radiator upgrade. Direct replacement, no modifications necessary. Towing uphill in 90F+ weather cruising at 65 MPH in 3rd gets the truck to about 195F at hottest. On the downhill I can see the coolant temp gauge drop back to ~180F in less than 3-5 minutes. Love the upgrade, well worth the money.
I have two ECP/speedcooling for my Nova and Chevelle. I did alot of research and the 1" tubes are a big advantage. I put a Be Cool in my uncles's Camaro, expensive but it is beautifully polished. Mine will work just as well. In my 89, I used an aftermarket from Keystone, probably TYC. I took my chances for $147, if it fails I will get an ECP.Just wanted to share this. It's an upgrade to stock, but I don't know if it is Chinesium or not. Prices out at $257 all aluminum all TIG welded...no epoxy.
www.speedcooling.com/1988-1998-chevy-truck-aluminum-radiator-upgrade.html
I think it said it's a two row, and has 1" tubes. They are based out of Chicago.
I bought a 4 row Chinesium on eBay for about the same price a while back. Probably a mistake, but if it dumps on me, I am going to buy one of these, instead.
I replaced the radiator on my k3500 '00 right when I bought it with 206k miles. Got it at PepBoys and it's a Spectra with that goofy rubber cap with a hose clamp. The truck had green antifreeze/coolant, so I stuck with that. Probably only have put about 1,000 miles since I got it 3 years ago. I can't remember if I was able to determine if it was the original or not, but didn't notice that cap with hose clamp on the one I took out? No history on the truck...
OTOH, my 99 Silverado 4.3 is still rocking the original radiator, with that Dexcool that most here hate... I've replaced the heater core and done about 3 coolant drain and refill...now at 255k but still original radiator. Water pump was replaced about 5k ago. Thermostat about 6 years ago. Just using tap water for the balance of water, nothing fancy.
I'm doing a 5.3 swap soon and that setup has a bit different radiator. Don't know if the OEM is any different than the aftermarket? Was thinking just hitting the local guys parting out similar trucks! Way cheaper than buying at the local parts store. Radiators ain't cheap.
Just here thinking what you guys are running as a coolant, or if it even matters? Does draining and replacing coolant help prolong the life of the radiators? Probably
need a degree in metallurgy? LOL
Maybe worth mentioning that on your experiences?