Aluminum Radiators with 5 pass trans cooler! - Page 40

#**586** 03-12-2005, 06:24 PM

For all who have installed and run their new rad, you may see a slight weeping from cap. After several startups I have noticed that the orifice the cap goes into doesn't completely seal the cap. The new cap actually leaked more than the old stock one, so i am using the old cap. I think the groove that was machined into the orifice "the one that holds cap on" is subject to differences from rad to rad. It doesnt seem to pull the cap down quite hard enough to seal the rubber donut on the cap. In 300 miles i've lost about a tablespoon of coolant. While not a world shaking event I was a little let down that this unit doesn't completely seal.

This may be the case on some of the rads. If you see a small leak check groove in orifice where cap tangs are. I will eventually fix this I hope, just wanted to share info. But still it beats the stock rad all to hell.

WGJ · #**587** 03-13-2005, 02:04 PM

Wow...it is really cool of you guys to provide all this beneficial feedback. Due to my father's death (He was a retired Major General, 33 years in the Marine Corps) and all that entails (He had friends and relatives come from all over the country for the funeral at Fort Rosecrans here in San Diego) I have yet to go up to PWR in Lake Elsinore (an hour drive) and pick up my radiator. I'll be going up there this week to get it and I will discuss all these issues with Clint and remit his response as soon as I get back. However I want to say/ask a couple of things in response to:
GreenMarine...get the aluminum radiator...it's the best deal IF you plan on KEEPING your baby. If you decide to get a used one you can have mine cheap (Marines get special discount) it's in great shape.
DRXman...What a smart question. Never occurred to me to flush the rad BEFORE install but makes total sense..."an ounce of prevention"!
And can someone please answer the question I've been asking for 3 months...Is the 5 pass cooler sufficient (combined with new synthetic tranny fluid at install, plus a complete tranny service) to insure the trans (83,000 mi) longevity ? I only occasionally use full throttle because I don't want ot rebuild it and to get decent mileage (almost $2.50 a gal for premium here).
Thanks for your imput.
WGJ

Rotorflyr · #**588** 03-15-2005, 10:01 PM

WJG,
Sorry about the loss* of your father, Im sure my fellow SVXer's join me in offering condolences.

To answer your question about the 5 pass cooler, and this is just my opinion mind you, I am not an expert on these things!
My thinking on it this:
It's too early to say for sure, I think it would depend on what shape your tranny is currently in. If it was me, I'd still install a secondary cooler, it's cheap insurance (bout' $50 for the cooler) especialy if your installing it yourself. And if not, still cheaper then a "new" tranny!

*actually in Milwaukee at the moment for the funeral of my wife's aunt tomorrow

WGJ · #**589** 03-15-2005, 10:09 PM

Rotorflyer,
Thanks. My Dad flew choppers in Viet Nam out of 'Johnson City' in Chu Lai. And your logic is impeccable, "an ounce of preventation". Will get aux cooler, my tranny's in good shape for stock w/83,000 mi.
WGJ

ensteele · #**590** 03-15-2005, 11:03 PM

I would agree with that logic too.

GreenMarine · #**591** 03-18-2005, 06:31 AM

Thanks for the input WGJ.... Also, sorry to hear about your dad. It must make you very proud to have a Major General of Marines as your father. Hell I know I am proud as hell and my dad retired as a Major from the Royal Australian Army...

On the radiator topic though... I would love to get the Aluminum one, however my current project (HID Lighting and rebuilding my baby) looks like it is gonna stop me from getting the Aluminum one at the moment. I know I want it though, and may get it later on when I'm back into AutoX-ing... But for the time being, I just want to get my baby back on the road

What kinda deal can ya offer me on your used radiator? What kinda shape is it in?

Thanks

WGJ · #**592** 03-18-2005, 10:43 AM

You got the pride thing right, GreenMarine. From straffing Iwo Jima to rescueing a Force Recon squad trapped on top of No Name Hill in Viet Nam, my Dad was a Marine's Marine. Semper Fi. And thanks.
My stock rad is excellent...remember Marines get special consideration from my family. Cover the shipping and I'll send it to you as soon as I get my new one installed. I don't know what a used rad's worth. Make me an offer. That work for you?
WGJ

dizzan · #**593** 03-18-2005, 01:09 PM

Well, I installed my radiator a couple days ago. The install went very easily, it fit perfectly.

After getting it installed, I noticed my PS belt was a bit loose, so I tightened it up a bit. Started the car and my crank pulley seperated in 2, making belts fly everywhere, cracking one of the radiator fans a bit, but other than that no major damage.

Luckily Dayle was able to overnight me a new pulley (thanks Dayle) to get my back running again.

So, yesterday was the first day I had a chance to drive with the new rad. and it looks like my cap is indeed leaking as well.
It does not leak if you turn it the extra 1/8 turn, but the ears of the cap then hit the hood and the hood doesn't close all the way.
Anyone looked at getting a different cap that's slimmer or does not have the ears at all?

WGJ · #**594** 03-18-2005, 01:52 PM

Spoke with Clint this morning and he's very concerned that we (the SVX Network rad buyers) are happy. He had no immediate response to the leaking cap problem but is looking into it. He said flushing the rad isn't necessary. Any other concerns?
WGJ

Rotorflyr · #**595** 03-18-2005, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WGJ

Clint said flushing the rad isn't necessary. WGJ

Again I would say this falls under "an ounce of prevention" I personaly would want to make sure nothing accidently got into the radiator at any point prior to me doing the install, afterall it isn't going to take long to do anyway.

Hohopirates · #**596** 03-18-2005, 02:19 PM

I'm going to cut the ears off then carbon fiber my cap. That should do it also the old cap doesn't leak when I put it on. I think it was Peach that thought of that.

Steve

drxman · #**597** 03-18-2005, 02:54 PM

As I have not installed the new PWR rad, and will not be for over a month, I have only the experiences of others who have installed the new rad to go by.

I wonder about the "adjustment needed" to install the fans...

I don't like the leaking cap/can't close the hood problem with the rad.

IMO a 450 +shipping rad should not leak out of the box, nor should it require "adjustments" or clearance problems.

As for how the rad works in the cold and heat of everyday driving I hope to get some feedback from those who installed the new rad as to how well it does the job. I would love to hear from someone who keeps tabs on the the temprature of the tranny fluid in real-time. If there is anyone who does that is

.

John

Electrophil · #**598** 03-18-2005, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drxman

As I have not installed the new PWR rad, and will not be for over a month, I have only the experiences of others who have installed the new rad to go by.

I wonder about the "adjustment needed" to install the fans...

I don't like the leaking cap/can't close the hood problem with the rad.

IMO a 450 +shipping rad should not leak out of the box, nor should it require "adjustments" or clearance problems.

John

I just have to agree with this. We are cutting off tabs, experimenting with different caps, filing off sharp edges, replacing tablespoons of water, etc.

What are we doing? This was promised as a drop in superior replacement. I haven't installed mine yet, so I don't know if it leaks. But it does have all the other problems. I think I'm going to send it back. The plastic sux, but I don't have to worry about the cap slamming into my hood either.

immortal_suby · #**599** 03-18-2005, 05:15 PM

I'm just going to dremel off the ear on one side of the cap and be done with it.

I have been stranded by a plastic radiator crack more than once. I'm not going back.

alltrac · #**600** 03-19-2005, 09:10 AM

Seems like there is always a compromise with aftermarket stuff. I would think getting 10+ years out of a stock radiator is more than acceptable. Just buy another and forget about it for ten years.