Need a new radiator please help

Topic: Need a new radiator please help (Read 2583 times) previous topic - next topic

Need a new radiator please help

August 13, 2018, 09:36:08 pm

I just purchased a 1985 Foretravel, and the radiator busted as I was driving it home that same day. I bought it for my brother who is homeless. Now, I am desperately trying to find out where to get a new radiator and have no idea where to start. I don't know what kind of engine I have. I need help finding this information. Any help would be great! I have pictures of the VIN and Model. Hope that helps.

Re: Need a new radiator please help

Reply #1 – August 13, 2018, 10:10:58 pm

You might pull it and take it to your local radiator shop. They should be able find/build you one. I doubt you will find a ready built new one.

Re: Need a new radiator please help

Reply #2 – August 13, 2018, 10:16:05 pm

Looking at the weight the engine must be gas and front mounted ? If so, remove the rad , take to a pic and pull or parts store .

Re: Need a new radiator please help

Reply #3 – August 13, 2018, 10:20:44 pm

Looks like Chevy 454 . tT the rad should be the same or similar to 1990 P30 step van. Gogleate it and compare pictures. It should not be too expensive.

Re: Need a new radiator please help

Reply #4 – August 13, 2018, 10:35:13 pm

Gas powered, spark plug gap setting on the air cleaner, duh which also itself identifies it as a gas coach. How bad is it leaking? Bars leak may get you home. Metal radiator can be resoldered. And welcome, glad you stepped up to the plate for your brother!

Re: Need a new radiator please help

Reply #5 – August 13, 2018, 11:41:29 pm

Definitely a GM 454. Diagram on air cleaner shows a "spread bore" Quadrajet carb with air injection pump (A.I.R. smog system)

How far is the coach now from your destination? If it's not going to ever be driven by your brother, it might be cheaper to just get it towed to where it will be permanently parked.

Re: Need a new radiator please help

Reply #6 – August 14, 2018, 12:21:36 am

Phred,look at the 4th picture,the whole top of the radiator came apart,needs a new one ,looks like it would be a bear to even recore.
206,might help if you told us where it is and where you are going.

Re: Need a new radiator please help

Reply #7 – August 14, 2018, 12:44:07 am

Quote from: John44 – August 14, 2018, 12:21:36 am

Phred,look at the 4th picture,the whole top of the radiator came apart,needs a new one ,looks like it would be a bear to even recore.
206,might help if you told us where it is and where you are going.

Wow that looks like a major overpressure event with the radiator cap stuck shut. How far to home?

Re: Need a new radiator please help

Reply #8 – August 14, 2018, 12:55:09 am

Thank you so much everyone for your replies! So, it broke down right on the freeway to make matters worse. So, we ended up towing it home that same day ($800 bill).

We removed the radiator and brought it to Seattle Radiator Works and they are quoting me about $600 to rebuild it. I would really just like to see if I can buy a new one being that it looks like this wasn't th first time the radiator was broke. It has a tag on it from work that was done on it before. I just really don't know where to start looking for a new one.

Re: Need a new radiator please help

Reply #9 – August 14, 2018, 02:04:12 am

Get some JB Weld -- and Bob's your uncle.

Re: Need a new radiator please help

Reply #10 – August 14, 2018, 09:47:01 am

To the OP, take the radiator to a radiator shop and have it fixed. A $200 to $300 repair should get it on the road if you're doing the work yourself.

Re: Need a new radiator please help

Reply #11 – August 14, 2018, 10:35:16 am

I'm guessing if the radiator is in that condition, there may also be other mechanical "issues". Possible money pit?

Re: Need a new radiator please help

Reply #12 – August 14, 2018, 11:04:11 am

If where you are going to put it as others have said towing may be the lesser of two evils

Re: Need a new radiator please help

Reply #13 – August 14, 2018, 11:05:07 am

Part of the issue with this thread is, like all new ForeForum members, a moderator must approve their posts. So, replies are not immediately posted. Yes, even moderators sleep sometimes.

Also, please, lets confine comments to fixing the mechanical aspects. Comments on social issues are of little or no value to the OP.

Thanks.

Moderator

Re: Need a new radiator please help

Reply #14 – August 14, 2018, 11:12:32 am

The OP's motivation to help her brother is wonderful. An older FT would make a fine and secure "home" if parked but my concern is that attempting to run down the road in any MH requires much more money than simply buying the rig in terms of fuel costs, ongoing general maintenance and the inevitable "next thing" that needs repair.

My thought would be to look for a place to "tow and park" the rig so it can be lived in. Lot rent alone could be the first cost to minimize. Concentrate on making it livable first since we know nothing about it's internal living systems...heating/cooling, cooking, plumbing, electric.

Only after it's an acceptable "house" physically and financially would I focus on driving related costs...engine, transmission, tires etc..

I wouldn't want your kindness in helping your brother turn into a much bigger problem to manage even without the costs themselves.

My 2 cents.

Re: Need a new radiator please help

Reply #15 – August 14, 2018, 11:13:36 am

A possible cracked head or head gasket issue from the looks of it. If you do drive it leave the cap loose and just add water. Truck junk yard might yield one.

Re: Need a new radiator please help

Reply #16 – August 14, 2018, 11:48:37 am

Quote from: Prsteffy206 – August 14, 2018, 12:55:09 am

We removed the radiator and brought it to Seattle Radiator Works and they are quoting me about $600 to rebuild it.

Hope this helps: I've had work done at Seattle Radiator and they are a first class outfit!

Re: Need a new radiator please help

Reply #17 – August 14, 2018, 11:57:34 am

Craneman do you think a cracked head gasket caused the overpressure in the radiator?

Thank you all! I am trying to get it running so I can move it into a mobile park and pay rent for my brother to live in.

Also, is there any chance this could be a Dodge 440 motor? When I look for another radiator on google it seems to look like it but then it's a 7.4 l. It looks like it could be this one (1980-1985 Chevrolet P30 Radiator - Cooling System - APDI 80-85 P30 Radiator...) but in the specs it says it fits a 5.4l and I have a 7.4l...

Re: Need a new radiator please help

Reply #18 – August 14, 2018, 12:25:29 pm

Stefanie,

Yes, a bad head gasket or cracked head could allow cylinder compression into the cooling system. Pretty easy to tell-- remove the radiator cap and start the engine. If you see bubbles, you have an engine problem.

In many cases, an older trailer would make a better choice for a permanent residence, and would be less of a money pit, as it would only have RV issues, not RV issues AND chassis issues.

Re: Need a new radiator please help

Reply #19 – August 14, 2018, 12:36:20 pm

Hello all,
Having had a 1984 FT on a Roadmaster Chassis with a 454 motor...if you notice the sticker on the air filter the letters "XFZ" in the corner, that is a model number for the 454...I believe it to be a Chevy 454 motor. Also 7.4l is a 454.
Good luck in you new adventure,
John

Re: Need a new radiator please help

Reply #20 – August 14, 2018, 12:39:45 pm

Hi John and Stacey - I'm so confused because when I google a radiator for that motor, it doesn't seem to match the radiator that I have. Is it possible that I don't have the correct radiator for the motor I have?

Please forgive my question if I'm not asking correctly. I know nothing about cars nor RV for that matter.

Re: Need a new radiator please help

Reply #21 – August 14, 2018, 12:44:29 pm

The radiator is sized for both the coach and the motor, just a it would be sized for a Chevy pick-up truck or van. It must be removed and matched or a part number from Foretravel.

Re: Need a new radiator please help

Reply #22 – August 14, 2018, 12:47:16 pm

How much one has to spend on a radiator repair is directly related to how far the coach needs to go and what caused the problem. We don't have the answer to either of those questions.
I mentioned JB Weld in a previous post. I repaired a hole the radiator in my 1981 Foretravel in the remote AZ desert using JB Weld and it lasted for over 10 years. I sold that coach and I'm sure that repair is still good.

Re: Need a new radiator please help

Reply #23 – August 14, 2018, 12:47:25 pm

Did'nt Alchemist have the 454 maybe he will chime in.The way that it split tells me there may be other problems besides a radiator,
any chance you can purchase a towing plan to get it to where it goes?

Re: Need a new radiator please help

Reply #24 – August 14, 2018, 01:33:54 pm

Quote from: Dakota Slim – August 14, 2018, 12:47:16 pm

How much one has to spend on a radiator repair is directly related to how far the coach needs to go and what caused the problem. We don't have the answer to either of those questions.
I mentioned JB Weld in a previous post. I repaired a hole the radiator in my 1981 Foretravel in the remote AZ desert using JB Weld and it lasted for over 10 years. I sold that coach and I'm sure that repair is still good.

Hi Dakota - The coach was intended as a living space for my brother. He wont be driving it anywhere. However, the place where I want to move it to is about 45mins away and I'm assuming that I need to fix the radiator to move the coach there. I'm not sure if JB Weld would help? The entire upper part of the radiator has split wide open. I posted a picture above of the damage.

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