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Topic: Radiator replacement (Read 1113 times) previous topic - next topic

Radiator replacement

First off, a big shout out and thank you to Jim (Fourdayoff) and Scott (dsd) for making this task possible.  With my vertigo issues, there are some things I just can't do any longer, plus this was one heck of a job.  That radiator is a heavy sum-bish!  300# on the pallet, so about 250#.

We started Saturday morning about 8 and worked until 5.  Started draining the radiator while removing the rubber air dam around the intercooler.  Next, we removed the intercooler, tied up the fuel cooler, dropped the hydraulic cooler out the bottom and dropped out the radiator.  The new radiator is a perfect match, but was missing 2 of the 3 bolt holes for the fan mounts.  Only the center bolt was present (also doubles as the center fan shroud mounting bolt), so we had to drill and use some self tapping screws for the other locations.  Got the radiator back in, fans mounted (with much cussing), coolers and intercooler remounted and connected up.

Got started around 9am on Sunday and finished tightening a few clamps and spent a bit of time installing the rubber air dam around the intercooler/radiator area.  Jim has this trick vacuum coolant doo-hickey that pulled all the coolant into the system.  Fired it up and let it get into the 150*F range while feeding it 2 bottles of Barr's leak.  Got ready for a road test and click - starter seems to have given up the ghost.  Ugh!  New one is on the way and will go in Thursday.

Once again, a big thanks to Scott and Jim for all their help.  Saved me a ton of $, plus I know it was done right.
Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197

Re: Radiator replacement

Reply #1 –
A few more pics...
Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197

Re: Radiator replacement

Reply #2 –
Big job but you kept thousands tackling it yourself. One less high rate shop gets to bleed you out of whatever they decide. I like that.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Radiator replacement

Reply #3 –
Got the new starter installed.  Man that gear reduction starter is nice...and about 1/2 the weight of the original.  More thanks to Jim (Fourdayoff) for the help and for storing my rig for almost a week in his parking spot.  :)
Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197

Re: Radiator replacement

Reply #4 –
Keith sorry i never made it up to help. Glad you got it done. Hardest wire was the solenoid wire?

Re: Radiator replacement

Reply #5 –
Scott & Jim are the best for sure!  Still wondering the reason why you put in 2 bottles of barrs in the new radiator?
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Radiator replacement

Reply #6 –
Not just a sealer but a lubricant and chemical stabilizers. That's my story and Im sticking to it.
Scott

Re: Radiator replacement

Reply #7 –
Quote from: dsd –
Keith sorry i never made it up to help. Glad you got it done. Hardest wire was the solenoid wire?
No problem at all Scott.  Jim, being the overachiever, had the old one out when I got there.  He said the upper bolt, which is behind the solenoid on the old starter was the biggest PITA.  Took him 2 hrs.  Going back in only took about an hour.  Solenoid wire took the longest because he was doing it blind...maybe 10 mins.
Quote from: juicesqueezer –
Scott & Jim are the best for sure!  Still wondering the reason why you put in 2 bottles of barrs in the new radiator?
The mothership recommends 2 bottles as part of a full fill...we went by their recommendation.
Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197

Re: Radiator replacement

Reply #8 –
Quote from: WS6_Keith –
The mothership recommends 2 bottles as part of a full fill...we went by their recommendation.

By "Mother Ship" that is Foretravel....i.e. the manufacturer?
Tom and Lisa

2003 U320 38' PBBS
Build No. 6217

Re: Radiator replacement

Reply #10 –
Quote from: dsd –
Keith sorry i never made it up to help. Glad you got it done. Hardest wire was the solenoid wire?
  I just changed out my starter as well, I was able to attach solinoid wire from topside, reaching down from under the bed.
      But oh what a difference in engine speed even with marginal batteries.
    David
David and Christi Spillman
2003gv
1992 airstream classic limited
1989 avion XB
1989 avion 32s
1987 avion 34w
1998  U270 36' "Project"
1983 avion 34w
1962 avion T25
 

Re: Radiator replacement

Reply #11 –
Quote from: ratbug –
  I just changed out my starter as well, I was able to attach solinoid wire from topside, reaching down from under the bed.
      But oh what a difference in engine speed even with marginal batteries.
    David
David, Keiths sideways bed covers a bunch of the engine compared to ours. Yes I did the solenoid wire from above also but it would be couple feet under the cover on his.  Good upgrade IMO. Mine would of failed at the fuel pump im sure.
Scott