Radiators.... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ChevLoRay · 06-17-2012, 06:39 PM

Well, after 172K miles, my radiator looks like its days are numbered. Noticed a leak this afternoon and saw a drop off coolant on the left side top of the side tank. Wiped it off. Another one took its place after a minute. I didn't pressurize the system yet....it's still too hot.

Anyway, I looked at O'Reilly's and saw a Murray replacement for about $130. Anyone have any experience with that brand or have suggestions about others to avoid? Limited lifetime warranties are good....but it's my labor....and it ain't cheap.

mitch2264 · 06-18-2012, 11:05 AM

I can tell you that when I replaced mine a couple of years ago on my 97 that we went with a "Spectra" brand from NAPA. This replacement radiator held up fine for about six months and then it started leaking around the side tank and fins. It was replaced under warranty with another one. So far the 2nd replacement has held up okay.

I had an old 88 2500 that I replaced the radiator on several years ago with a "Modine" brand and this seemed like a good unit. It was an exact factory match, etc. The Spectra is more generic and has caps with clamps covering inlets and outlets that may or may not be needed. I am not sure Modine is still in business, but I was impressed with that one! Of course I am talking 6-7 years ago and for all I know they may be manufactured in China by now- if they are still around.

Good luck!

ChevLoRay · 06-18-2012, 08:42 PM

O'Reilly's has the Spectra brand listed, but it is special order only and they don't have pricing until you order. Not going that route.

The Murray has a limited lifetime warranty. Okay by me.

ChevLoRay · 06-19-2012, 12:56 PM

Murray brand, at 129.95, has twice the core of my original Harrison radiator. It comes with an extra port in the right side tank, about 2-inches below the cap. It looks like about 3/4-inch in diameter and comes with a cap. If you get one, be sure to tighten up the worm clamp on it....mine was a little loose and my pressure checker found it before it could become a problem.

Another issue was the transmission cooler connections. The female threaded portion in the right side tank isn't the same size as the cooler lines on the vehicle. Not to worry, grasshopper....it comes with brass fittings that enable the connection without any problem.

Only real problem: the original hose clamp on the bottom hose. I gave up on it, and installed a worm clamp.

Job complete....and I have to say the 2-piece fan shroud is the greatest thing since sliced bread! Then, the set back of the 4.3 leaves plenty of room for negotiations. Easiest radiator swap I've done. Never got on the ground, not even once. Nice.

mitch2264 · 06-19-2012, 01:05 PM

Murray, eh? I'll have to remember that! Glad the job turned out easy for you! When I did it, I was so stressed worrying about making sure the transmission lines did not cross threaded that I was almost shaking!! Your summation on the two piece fan shroud was the same as mine! It truly is an easy job.

How dirty was the back side of your condensor? On the 88 it was pretty darned nasty. I got it cleaned up with some coil cleaner and the hose. I think it did help with a/c cooling.

Glad you got it fixed

Mitch

ChevLoRay · 06-19-2012, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mitch2264

How dirty was the back side of your condensor? On the 88 it was pretty darned nasty. I got it cleaned up with some coil cleaner and the hose. Mitch

I didn't even think about it.

mitch2264 · 06-19-2012, 03:14 PM

To be honest, I forgot about it on the 97! The a/c seems to work better in this one that the old 88 anyway

**Boog** · 06-19-2012, 10:18 PM

Don I've bought two Murrays from ORielly's so far and have been pleased with them. The first one did not come with the reducers for the tranny cooler lines. Another trip to town picked some up.
It would be a good time to convert your 96 to electric fan if you had a mind to. Free up some power maybe.

ChevLoRay · 06-19-2012, 10:22 PM

Jim, I've thought about that recently when it was suggested that the dual electric fans from a 6.5 diesel would be a good thing for an LS-engine conversion. Maybe....just maybe it will help inspire me.

jrr344 · 06-20-2012, 07:38 PM

There are several quality radiators on ebay for cheaper or you could go all aluminum for a little more.

ChevLoRay · 06-20-2012, 10:42 PM

What I bought had plastic tanks and the rest is aluminum....just like the OEM Harrison that I pulled out. The replacement unit is almost twice as thick as the OEM unit.

1ATony · 06-21-2012, 11:30 AM

We carry all kinds of radiators on our website. Here's a link to our site if you would like to check them out.

Chevy Truck Radiator

06-17-2012, 06:39 PM	#1
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Radiators.... Well, after 172K miles, my radiator looks like its days are numbered. Noticed a leak this afternoon and saw a drop off coolant on the left side top of the side tank. Wiped it off. Another one took its place after a minute. I didn't pressurize the system yet....it's still too hot. Anyway, I looked at O'Reilly's and saw a Murray replacement for about $130. Anyone have any experience with that brand or have suggestions about others to avoid? Limited lifetime warranties are good....but it's my labor....and it ain't cheap. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

06-18-2012, 11:05 AM	#2
mitch2264 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 17	Re: Radiators.... I can tell you that when I replaced mine a couple of years ago on my 97 that we went with a "Spectra" brand from NAPA. This replacement radiator held up fine for about six months and then it started leaking around the side tank and fins. It was replaced under warranty with another one. So far the 2nd replacement has held up okay. I had an old 88 2500 that I replaced the radiator on several years ago with a "Modine" brand and this seemed like a good unit. It was an exact factory match, etc. The Spectra is more generic and has caps with clamps covering inlets and outlets that may or may not be needed. I am not sure Modine is still in business, but I was impressed with that one! Of course I am talking 6-7 years ago and for all I know they may be manufactured in China by now- if they are still around. Good luck! __________________ 1997 GMC Sierra SLE C1500 5.7 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV Platinum 2009 Toyota Venza

06-18-2012, 08:42 PM	#3
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: Radiators.... O'Reilly's has the Spectra brand listed, but it is special order only and they don't have pricing until you order. Not going that route. The Murray has a limited lifetime warranty. Okay by me. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

06-19-2012, 12:56 PM	#4
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: Radiators.... Murray brand, at 129.95, has twice the core of my original Harrison radiator. It comes with an extra port in the right side tank, about 2-inches below the cap. It looks like about 3/4-inch in diameter and comes with a cap. If you get one, be sure to tighten up the worm clamp on it....mine was a little loose and my pressure checker found it before it could become a problem. Another issue was the transmission cooler connections. The female threaded portion in the right side tank isn't the same size as the cooler lines on the vehicle. Not to worry, grasshopper....it comes with brass fittings that enable the connection without any problem. Only real problem: the original hose clamp on the bottom hose. I gave up on it, and installed a worm clamp. Job complete....and I have to say the 2-piece fan shroud is the greatest thing since sliced bread! Then, the set back of the 4.3 leaves plenty of room for negotiations. Easiest radiator swap I've done. Never got on the ground, not even once. Nice. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

06-19-2012, 01:05 PM	#5
mitch2264 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 17	Re: Radiators.... Murray, eh? I'll have to remember that! Glad the job turned out easy for you! When I did it, I was so stressed worrying about making sure the transmission lines did not cross threaded that I was almost shaking!! Your summation on the two piece fan shroud was the same as mine! It truly is an easy job. How dirty was the back side of your condensor? On the 88 it was pretty darned nasty. I got it cleaned up with some coil cleaner and the hose. I think it did help with a/c cooling. Glad you got it fixed Mitch __________________ 1997 GMC Sierra SLE C1500 5.7 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV Platinum 2009 Toyota Venza

06-19-2012, 03:14 PM	#7
mitch2264 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 17	Re: Radiators.... To be honest, I forgot about it on the 97! The a/c seems to work better in this one that the old 88 anyway __________________ 1997 GMC Sierra SLE C1500 5.7 2005 Cadillac Escalade ESV Platinum 2009 Toyota Venza

06-19-2012, 10:18 PM	#8
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,011	Re: Radiators.... Don I've bought two Murrays from ORielly's so far and have been pleased with them. The first one did not come with the reducers for the tranny cooler lines. Another trip to town picked some up. It would be a good time to convert your 96 to electric fan if you had a mind to. Free up some power maybe. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

06-19-2012, 10:22 PM	#9
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: Radiators.... Jim, I've thought about that recently when it was suggested that the dual electric fans from a 6.5 diesel would be a good thing for an LS-engine conversion. Maybe....just maybe it will help inspire me. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

06-20-2012, 07:38 PM	#10
jrr344 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: dixon springs,tn Posts: 35	Re: Radiators.... There are several quality radiators on ebay for cheaper or you could go all aluminum for a little more.

06-20-2012, 10:42 PM	#11
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: Radiators.... What I bought had plastic tanks and the rest is aluminum....just like the OEM Harrison that I pulled out. The replacement unit is almost twice as thick as the OEM unit. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

06-21-2012, 11:30 AM	#12
1ATony Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Pepperell,Mass Posts: 724	Re: Radiators.... We carry all kinds of radiators on our website. Here's a link to our site if you would like to check them out. Chevy Truck Radiator



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