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Veteran
 
Location: Canton, (Sixes) GA | All the talk has prompted me to resurrect my radiator changeover project (F250 Griffin Aluminum). Just sounding things out.. again..I will remove the bumper, 8 bolts and the fan. http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/FMCMotorCoach/message/6282 Existing radiator (6 core) 30”W X 37”H X 5”D. Mounting bracket edge to edge 32”. Looking from the rear forward - Fill is Left, Hot in is top Center, bottom Cold suction/return is left. New – (2 core aluminum) 31”W X 30”H X 3”D. Mounting bracket edge to edge 33 5/8” Looking from the rear forward – Fill is Right, Hot in Left, Cold suction/return is bottom Right. This all looks doable, nuts and bolts with some fabrication. PVC for across bottom plumbing. Transmission cooler - http://www.trannybuilder.com/store/product.php?productid=1338 24”W X 22.4”H X 1.5”D. Radiator has no transmission fittings. . There is room under the propane tank, or, aft of the radiator. Have not decided. Will have new hoses fabricated. Remember, the Detroit/Allison sits a few inches further aft than the 440/727. Not much room, but appears the fan/fan shroud relationship, 1/3 out, 2/3 in is about right. Planning a coach trip the last week in Feb, so will probably be a March project. Anything I should look out for or words of wisdom?..I will take pictures.. Thanks, Denny
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Veteran
Location: Canton, (Sixes) GA | Progress is being made. The Allison transmission cooler has been installed under the propane tank (the alum radiator does not have trans hookups). The radiator has been modified by moving the neck, fill and suctions locations to match the existing. Still working in the engine compartment, but should be able to wrap up everthing in the next week or so. Pictures posted. Remember, this is behind a Detroit Turbo Diesel/Allison 545R, your coach may vary.
Edited by denshew 2011-03-14 5:57 PM
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Veteran
Location: Canton, (Sixes) GA | Completed this project today. Posted more pictures. Looks really good and fits just right with a few modifications. Thankful for pneumatic tools, impact sockets, cutoff wheels, etc. Anxious to get it on the road. |
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Veteran
Location: Canton, (Sixes) GA | Forgot to mention the old radiator brought $139.80 at the recycling/scrap center. |
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Veteran
Location: Canton, (Sixes) GA | I have sealed the radiator shroud all the way back to the grill to keep hot air from recirulating back into the engine compartment/radiator. Pictures posted. Probably paint the Dynamat flat black at some point. |
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Expert
Location: Cottage Grove, OR | Interesting use of Dyanamat. For my engine swap I am using a similar (different brand) material as one of the layers to line the firewall with. Due to it's flexibility and stickyness it can seal up joints and curves and is why I have it ordered. Might also use some in the radiator area as well since you have given me that idea. |
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Veteran
Location: Canton, (Sixes) GA | On a recent 120 mile test run to the north GA mountains the coach did not show any sign of getting warm. Of course the outside air temp was in the mid 60's on the way up and the mid 70's on the way back. Would not have been a problem with the old radiator setup. Looking for some summer heat and a hard run to verify but have faith and high confidence in new aluminum radiator application. |
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Regular
Location: Santa Cruz, Calif. | Bring it out here, Denny. A jaunt through Death Vally will be real test. If it makes that, it will make anything. |
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Veteran
Location: Canton, (Sixes) GA | Ended up putting about 1300 miles on the coach for the Blue Ridge Parkway Tour/trip. Some days were in the upper 80's and we had some serious mountains to climb. The temp gauge never got past 183 degrees, just a blip. Ran consistently at 180. I did not reinstall the puller fan behind the new radiator. I seldom ran the access door puller fans, usually to accelerate cooling down before shutdown and to avoid heat transfer into the coach. All three coaches on the tour were Detroit/Allison powered and no over temp issues. Although I can not (or will not) duplicate last summer and the steep climb from the East to Mt Rushmore, I will declare this conversion a success. Hopefully I won't ever see those 220-230 degree readings again. Again, I think the original 6 core brass/copper radiator was clogged and rotten. Of course there is a psoitive weight reduction factor also.
Edited by denshew 2011-06-29 11:49 AM
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Expert
Location: Cottage Grove, OR | I am very glad for you that the temp issues are now "behind you"! |
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Veteran
Location: Canton, (Sixes) GA | Cool pun Stephen.. me be glad also..` |
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FMC 0890 Radiator Changeover