Radiator Repair/Replace 91 SP

tjseitz · #1 01-31-2008

Hey guys Austin Gibbons 91 SP has a leaking Rad. Pretty much right in the center of the rad. So seeing how it is going to coming out for repairs / replacement, depending on how it looks on the inside. So Im looking for a bit of advice on fixing it. If I remember correct. Cant you get a bigger (more fins) rad. that would cool better than the original??

Or whats your suggestions?? Thanks for any help. Tom

Stephen · #2 01-31-2008

it would be more tubes they are offset in design to fit in the same space or tanks

patticake · #3 02-01-2008

I agree with Stephen, offset fins(modern design) keep it cooler than the original.
Just finished changing mine couple months ago. Made a world of difference in temps.
Steve Gureasko
90WLWB40 Jus Chillin

peteaeonix · #4 02-01-2008

I replaced my radiator core 18 months back with an offset-tube design. It's kept the water temperature under excellent control -- even while climbing above 10,000 feet on I-70 across the top of Colorado in late summer. (I only wish the oil temperature was as well behaved!)

ajgibb · #5 02-04-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjseitz

Hey guys Austin Gibbons 91 SP has a leaking Rad. Pretty much right in the center of the rad. So seeing how it is going to coming out for repairs / replacement, depending on how it looks on the inside. So Im looking for a bit of advice on fixing it. If I remember correct. Cant you get a bigger (more fins) rad. that would cool better than the original??

Or whats your suggestions?? Thanks for any help. Tom

Following up on Tom's earlier posting
-- Is there anyone on the forum with first hand experience doing a radiator R & R on an SP?
-- Are there any special "gotchas" in the job?
-- Is there anything special about the standard SP radiator that an ordinary truck radiator place would have problems with in terms of repaid/rebuild?
-- Has anyone substituted a new "5 tube" for the old "3 tube" on an SP?
-- Are the "5 tube" units easily available? Where?
Thanks much
Austin

Stephen · #6 02-04-2008

no there a no gotchas just some work removing and replacing one heavy rad
A heavy duty rad shop can handle the job if the tanks are bad they can be replaced
the offset tube design is also called high effiency core usually 5 tube in place of three

iamflagman · #7 02-05-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajgibb

Following up on Tom's earlier posting
-- Is there anyone on the forum with first hand experience doing a radiator R & R on an SP?
-- Are there any special "gotchas" in the job?
-- Is there anything special about the standard SP radiator that an ordinary truck radiator place would have problems with in terms of repaid/rebuild?
-- Has anyone substituted a new "5 tube" for the old "3 tube" on an SP?
-- Are the "5 tube" units easily available? Where?
Thanks much
Austin

Austin,

I would take a look at this CAT 3208 BELT NUMBERS and their PROPER ADJUSTMENT as it is importatnt on a Cat 3208 to adjust the belts properly in the sequence that is laid out in this post. They may be alittle different on a rear engine configuration, but I would look at it anyway.

tjseitz · #8 02-11-2008

Hi guys. Just an update on the 91SP rad. project. We pulled the old one out and decided to replace with it with newer technology. We went with the 5 tube stagered row core. It turned out to be a real nice fit in the frame and filled it up completly. Here are coulpe pictures. I even talked Austin into painting the fan.hahaha So be sure to ask him to see his fan when you see him. hahaha I wanted to paint it silver or chrome color.(chrome goes faster dosnt?)

Thanks again for all your help guys. Tom