U320 Radiator oil cooler support

Topic: U320 Radiator oil cooler support (Read 3818 times) previous topic - next topic

U320 Radiator oil cooler support

January 04, 2022, 09:51:24 am

So with all the current talk of radiator core damage and oil cooler support Ive decided being paranoid or cheap not sure which will retro fit a radiator cradle similar to attached photo and a separate frame rail mounted support to isolate oil cooler support. Also the talk about transmission oil cooler failure, although rare this would be the time to upgrade oil cooler. In my personal use I feel the oil cooler is too small for my use. This logic would support upsizing for me.
So i think the 3-1279B is original and the 5-7027B is the upgrade 26.1 inches and 65lbs full
3-1279B also crosses to the 5-7102B which is 32.1 inches long IE plus 6" and 70 lbs. full . Curious if it will fit in? Will look tomorrow. Bigger is better. And if I'm building a mount anyway will accommodate bigger cooler. 23% bigger cost unknown yet
First photo show current set up,
second desired radiator support bracket cradle,
third oil cooler mount I would like to duplicate
Any input would be appreciated.
Scott

Re: U320 Radiator oil cooler support

Reply #1 – January 04, 2022, 11:51:44 am

Hey Scott, since the other thread mentions that there was a redesign sometime in 2002, and my coach is a 2003, maybe yours and mine differ? What do you want pictures of so we can compare?

Re: U320 Radiator oil cooler support

Reply #2 – January 04, 2022, 01:29:56 pm

Scott here are more pictures of the cooler support going around the engine and picture of back cross member which the hitch is welded to and back engine mount is mounted they are all below the rad I have scratch marks on the bottom back pipe of cooler rack from rubbing somewhere put nothing on radiator bottom hope this helps they are all below rad

Re: U320 Radiator oil cooler support

Reply #3 – January 04, 2022, 07:38:20 pm

So I did some measuring and the 5-7102B which is 32.1 inches long will fit. The lower radiator tube will have to be removed again for the third time and lengthened 6 inches to accommodate the longer bigger cooler. Comes close to the retarder accumulator but will clear. Keith yes take a look at your cooler and if its mounted the same on the radiator we will have to talk. Also see if your tank ends are exposed to the road or covered with a plate similar to second photo in first post. Will be copy that idea with a couple additional mods to support fans. Rick thanks for the photos. Will end up being same thing only different. Oil pan is a little bigger
Scott

Re: U320 Radiator oil cooler support

Reply #4 – January 05, 2022, 10:27:01 am

Here are pics of my rad and trans cooler Scott.

Re: U320 Radiator oil cooler support

Reply #5 – January 05, 2022, 11:15:54 am

Kieth it looks like your tank is supported , take a picture of the back lower corner of the tank if you get a chance. Disregard, your first photo shows it with a 2" box tubing below it. Very nice. I'll probably stop by and take some more photos and look at your coach hands on to copy. Is your cooler hung from frame rails? Doesn't look to be attached to radiator like mine. Your trans cooler is way forward compared to mine. Mine is about a foot behind the retarder accumulator. You have tons of room for a bigger cooler. 👍👍

Re: U320 Radiator oil cooler support

Reply #6 – January 05, 2022, 02:57:29 pm

So have been in communication with Frank at Atlas and I feel the U320 up to year 2002 if they do not have a radiator support cradle and the transmission oil cooler is mounted to the radiator fan shroud are doomed to early failure. Its not if but when. The radiator itself is quite heaving and needs to be supported and in no way is capable of supporting both itself and oil cooler 65 lbs and cooling fans, not to mention fan operation and road/engine/operation vibrations. IMO. Regardless of model they are all the same radiators and need more support. I'll incorporate all at the same time after Q.
Scott

Re: U320 Radiator oil cooler support

Reply #7 – January 05, 2022, 06:20:32 pm

Just looked at Jim's 2002 295 and it has a real nice heavy cradle and basically a engine skid pan that the retarder is mounted in. Note it is shorter than the u320

Re: U320 Radiator oil cooler support

Reply #8 – January 05, 2022, 06:33:29 pm

On our 295 we have sold the cooler is hanging on a 2 tube frame bolted to frame rails. It too has a skid plate below. Plenty strong enough.
Johnh

Re: U320 Radiator oil cooler support

Reply #9 – January 05, 2022, 07:10:02 pm

Now I just have to know what mine looks like. Too bad it going to be a high of "-too cold to crawl under" tomorrow

Re: U320 Radiator oil cooler support

Reply #10 – January 05, 2022, 09:40:52 pm

Quote from: John Haygarth – January 05, 2022, 06:33:29 pm

On our 295 we have sold the cooler is hanging on a 2 tube frame bolted to frame rails. It too has a skid plate below. Plenty strong enough.
Johnh

Very strong setup for sure. Curious the U320 didn't have similar with a bigger cooler.

Re: U320 Radiator oil cooler support

Reply #11 – January 06, 2022, 10:38:08 am

Here's the cooler bracket on mine Scott.

Re: U320 Radiator oil cooler support

Reply #12 – January 06, 2022, 10:49:13 am

Kieth does it mount to frame rails above and how long is your oil cooler? Mine is 26 and the bigger version is 32"

Re: U320 Radiator oil cooler support

Reply #13 – January 09, 2022, 02:22:44 pm

The body of the cooler is 22" long, not including the hose inlet/outlet. The hanger bracket has two steel posts that are welded to the bottom of the frame rail.

Re: U320 Radiator oil cooler support

Reply #14 – January 09, 2022, 03:38:28 pm

Still waiting on the cost on the bigger cooler. So before we head to Q being paranoid I'm going to put a ratchet strap over the frame rail and put some upward tension to help support the cooler and take some load off the radiator. Not all of it just some. Will address when we get home. Can't catch every ball in the air. Still with all the support yours failed twice. Who know for sure.
Scott

Re: U320 Radiator oil cooler support

Reply #15 – January 11, 2022, 08:52:42 pm

Due to supply chain issues we are short the brackets that are used on the 5-7102B and the current lead time is around 8 week ARO. We can build a 3-1279B in 2 weeks ARO if ordered within the next couple of days.

Following are the unit prices:

3-1279B $1,947.00 plus freight

5-7102B $2,853.00 plus freight

Units are built and shipped from our Burkesville, KY plant.

Payment Terms: Credit Card (A $30.00 Processing Fee applies to all credit card transactions)

Hum seems like a lot just for preventive maintenance. Will look into building mount for what I have for awhile.$2850 is a lot to absorb . Will also check into paying cash and picking up in person.

Re: U320 Radiator oil cooler support

Reply #16 – January 12, 2022, 01:26:39 am

Here are some cooler used in fishing boats for Diesel engine maybe you can contact the manufacturer for some help

Re: U320 Radiator oil cooler support

Reply #17 – January 12, 2022, 01:29:27 am

prices are in Canadian dollars show cheaper in US

Re: U320 Radiator oil cooler support

Reply #18 – January 26, 2022, 10:25:37 am

Started core support last night. Radiator is just under 56" long and 5" wide. on my coach it hangs down lower than everything else. Attempting to keep the departure angle the same I'm reducing the trailing 18" of the 2" x 4" 3/16 thick tube I'm using for the bottom. Its cut and the trailing end pulled closed. Ended up with about forty thousands droop and will remove before i weld closed. Will close the front end and will install a tube to accommodate access for the drain petcock. I'm planning on using conveyor belt for support pad.

Re: U320 Radiator oil cooler support

Reply #19 – January 26, 2022, 04:49:54 pm

You guys soft mounting these radiators into the chassis? There has to be allowance for expansion and contraction.

Re: U320 Radiator oil cooler support

Reply #20 – January 26, 2022, 08:31:32 pm

Quote from: markb – January 26, 2022, 04:49:54 pm

You guys soft mounting these radiators into the chassis? There has to be allowance for expansion and contraction.

Hard mounting similar to foretravel in later years. This sub assembly is hard mounted to radiator mount which is isolated. All this is doing is adding supplemental support to prevent core damage from flexing and failing at tanks. Will also remount trans oil cooler to frame rails also similar to later years and other models eliminating additional loads on core currently supporting it.

Re: U320 Radiator oil cooler support

Reply #21 – January 27, 2022, 12:20:38 pm

So after I pulled the lower rubber radiator cover I finally have a good view of the fin condition. Looks good so far but am spreading the CAC, hydraulic cooler and Radiator to facilitate cleaning fins. Will remove all junk to improve airflow and prevent condensation damage. Nice catch IMO
Scott

Re: U320 Radiator oil cooler support

Reply #22 – January 27, 2022, 12:53:24 pm

Radiator with oil cooler removed. Drove 20k miles in this condition. No overheating issues, but glad I found And no it didn't happen at my house. No grass except patch in back yard. 8x20 feet
Scott

Re: U320 Radiator oil cooler support

Reply #23 – January 27, 2022, 01:02:14 pm

Wow, enough to make any mouse jealous!

Or is this from a previous occupant??

Re: U320 Radiator oil cooler support

Reply #24 – January 27, 2022, 02:55:11 pm

So those coolers are stacked pretty tight about an eighth of an inch gap between them. Don't smell any urine or poop. Used the vacuum to remove all loose materials. Used a aluminum wire brush to gently clean between fins. No fin damage thank goodness. Will spray down with water before closing, but have too much other work in the same area to soak down now. Will at the end of the day working. Supposed to have 40 mile an hour winds today so it'll dry out. This certainly could be a problem in a wet area promoting corrosion. Be like a sponge. Lot of the rock looking stuff is probably but mud dauber nest remains

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