new radiator and advice needed

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by Legonch, Dec 27, 2023.

  1. Legonch

    Legonch Bobtail Member

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    I just looked at this radiator in my 06 w900. The fins you can push through with your finger. In a big area or two. So, time for a new radiator. This truck has the metal surge tank type radiator. Im seeing all aluminum new radiators without surge tanks. These are quite a bit cheaper. Are they worth the savings first of all. Secondly, will they work in this w900? TIA
     
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  3. Big Road Skateboard

    Big Road Skateboard Road Train Member

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    My opinion. A new complete from the dealer will run 3500$ ish, and you'll be back to work the next day.

    Recore will take three days if you don't do it yourself, about 10 hrs labor, + parts, 2 days of lost wages, and relying on some idiot to not eff up the tank gaskets.

    I'd go complete. Chinese aftermarket will run 1600$ and last probably 6 years
     
  4. xsetra

    xsetra Road Train Member

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  5. BigCam9670

    BigCam9670 Medium Load Member

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    I would second this advice. They will have an exact replacement and know the little things you will need to get the job done. They had a radiator in stock for my 1988 W900, I picked it up at their store in Des Moines. Top notch outfit all the way around.
     
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  6. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Just had a rad re-cored a few weeks ago. 2 days and less than 1/5 the cost of a new one.
     
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  7. Star Rider

    Star Rider Road Train Member

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  8. Last Call

    Last Call Road Train Member

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    I use American Radiator in Des Moines all the Time they do excellent work and very affordable I just had a radiator for a 359 recored for about 1/3 the cost of a new aftermarket radiator and a lot better quality.. Plus the fact I needed more cooling capacity so the core was custom built for my application and it was still a 3rd less
     
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  9. Legonch

    Legonch Bobtail Member

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    I was just looking at their web page. My radiator is the old brass copper style. Their page talks about aluminum recore. Do you know if they do recore on the brass/copper ones? I'll call them in the am, just was curious before i called
     
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  10. Legonch

    Legonch Bobtail Member

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    Stupid question, probably. But this radiator looks like it bolts together on the top and the bottom. Cores that I found, looks like they bolt together. Is this really as simple as unbolting the top and bottom tanks and bolting a new core in?
     
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  11. Last Call

    Last Call Road Train Member

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    To be honest I can’t give you a confirmation .. but the radiator out of my 359 was copper it was in the same condition as how you described yours .. like I said I needed more cooling cause of a motor change when I got mine back it was aluminum there’s a long story behind what I needed to do because 359s have what they call wide mount and narrow mount I needed to use the bottom tank from a decent radiator I had and put that tank and use the top tank and frame because of the ATA charge cooler so basically I used to radiators to make one with a new core if that makes any sense and I realize I didn’t give you a solid answer but they have fixed copper radiators for me before ..They are reall good at what they do and the quality is just as good
     
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