Community Forums

Chandler1 · 07-12-2022, 07:51 PM

I had a Radiator failure and got one from Oreilly and now RV overheats during any hills. I want to buy a better radiator but also if there is high flow water pump, better thermostat and better clutch fan I wantt to upgrade this winter.

Anyone have any equipment recommendations.

I noticed V10 and Diesel radiator numbers are same on Oreilly but are they really the same at Dealer? Does the Diesel come with more rows possibly? Are newer water pumps the same but higher flow than old? Is there a better temp to open thermostat? is there a better clutch fan than stock? Is it better to go to electric fan or is there such a thing? I know its a lot of questions but I'm just starting to figure out.

fcbbob15 · 07-12-2022, 08:11 PM

Is the new radiator the same size as the old one? Many things can cause your issue. Changing parts at random is not the right approach. Why did the old radiator fail? If radiator is the correct one, then suspect the clutch fan. The clutch fan can be tested. Other posters can verify but I believe with the engine at operating temp and off the fan should not turn easily. You should also hear the roar of the fan when pulling hills when it kicks in. As far as a better radiator I use US Radiator. They can make exactly what you need with extra capacity. Many other radiator shops out there that can get you a quality radiator.

donr103 · 07-12-2022, 09:05 PM

I am just going to accept that you want to up grade cooling.. so here is my opinion.. go online and look for 3 to 4 row all aluminum radiator.. try jegs.com... summit racing. Com.. top of line is Griffin radiator.. while there look up hi flow water pumps. I use elderbrock water pumps.. never let me down.. . and the lowest thermostat you are comfortable with.. I like 160..
Griffin is expensive but top of line.. I would go to derale.com and get there fan.. maybe even little bigger.. measure your present fan and check how much bigger you can go.. they make the best fans.. and heavy duty fan clutch.. write down p# and I hit my favorite online store and purchase.. some items are only available on derale.com..
Upgraded fans make Hugh difference and since you are going to all that trouble it only makes sense to upgrade fan.. they are cheap.. and have more air flow..if you don't believe me.. and you are not happy.. you can return it.. now yes.. you will have more noise.. but difference it minimal.. you can always add sound deader to doors and other areas and cut all noise in half ..
Next.. measure and pick a electric fan to push air through.. get 2 small or one big if you have room.. then wire in switch and get a electric fan with thermostat..
And wire in manual switch..
Next.. while at derale.com look at trans and eng oil coolers..
I bought 1993 custom conversation van new..still have it.. it is heavy hi top about 5,500 pounds. With front and rear heat and a/c.. . can sit in heavy traffic and run a/c in hottest temps.. and never over heat.. pull 4,000 boat.. not a problem.. I did all this at the beginning and for me.. never happier.. trans oil is cool enough that when I come off highway at hi speeds and a/c and hi temps..i can check oil and not get burned.. same with eng oil.. when I first got it.. I could not check any oils like that and not get burned..
Do your own research on line.. eng and trans oil temp vs life.. run cool and last forever.. run too hot once and we'll you see what happens..
Some a/p stores will let you return your radiator if not happy.. so get your money back
Change belts and hoses if you have not already.. keep old ones as spares ..
This sounds like a lot.. but can be done with basic hand tools.. and I get a lot of flack.. but this is my opinion.. and if you are not happy.. keep old parts.. but you will not believe the difference.. as they will collect dust in corner. I mentioned trans cooler.. because the trans oil is routed through the radiator.. and if trans gets too hot.. like towing.. then that can cause over heat.. I like a aux cooler to pull heat out before radiator.. not put that heat into radiator.. just another opinion.. with radiator out.. put plastic bottles over trans lines.. just bump starter to see directions of oil flow and Mark the lines.. in and out..
You can add these 1 at a time.. until you are happy.. not all at once.. use hi quality rubber hoses too if you add coolers ..
Change out your p/s and diff and brake oil.. when you can.. make sure you have a p/s oil cooler.. they are cheap.. if you get into temps below 20 degrees.. you can just put a piece of cardboard in between radiator and condenser.. small price to pay for me.. by the way.. get a basic automotive repair book for Ford vans.. same yr as your.. Ford uses very same eng and trans.. I believe you said you have e450.. I like and use both Haynes and Chilton.. happy hunting..
Good luck and keep us posted

Chandler1 · 07-13-2022, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fcbbob15

Is the new radiator the same size as the old one? Many things can cause your issue. Changing parts at random is not the right approach. Why did the old radiator fail? If radiator is the correct one, then suspect the clutch fan. The clutch fan can be tested. Other posters can verify but I believe with the engine at operating temp and off the fan should not turn easily. You should also hear the roar of the fan when pulling hills when it kicks in. As far as a better radiator I use US Radiator. They can make exactly what you need with extra capacity. Many other radiator shops out there that can get you a quality radiator.

I think oreilly sold me a 1 row radiator.

Chandler1 · 07-13-2022, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donr103

I am just going to accept that you want to up grade cooling.. so here is my opinion.. go online and look for 3 to 4 row all aluminum radiator.. try jegs.com... summit racing. Com.. top of line is Griffin radiator.. while there look up hi flow water pumps. I use elderbrock water pumps.. never let me down.. . and the lowest thermostat you are comfortable with.. I like 160..
Griffin is expensive but top of line.. I would go to derale.com and get there fan.. maybe even little bigger.. measure your present fan and check how much bigger you can go.. they make the best fans.. and heavy duty fan clutch.. write down p# and I hit my favorite online store and purchase.. some items are only available on derale.com..
Upgraded fans make Hugh difference and since you are going to all that trouble it only makes sense to upgrade fan.. they are cheap.. and have more air flow..if you don't believe me.. and you are not happy.. you can return it.. now yes.. you will have more noise.. but difference it minimal.. you can always add sound deader to doors and other areas and cut all noise in half ..
Next.. measure and pick a electric fan to push air through.. get 2 small or one big if you have room.. then wire in switch and get a electric fan with thermostat..
And wire in manual switch..
Next.. while at derale.com look at trans and eng oil coolers..
I bought 1993 custom conversation van new..still have it.. it is heavy hi top about 5,500 pounds. With front and rear heat and a/c.. . can sit in heavy traffic and run a/c in hottest temps.. and never over heat.. pull 4,000 boat.. not a problem.. I did all this at the beginning and for me.. never happier.. trans oil is cool enough that when I come off highway at hi speeds and a/c and hi temps..i can check oil and not get burned.. same with eng oil.. when I first got it.. I could not check any oils like that and not get burned..
Do your own research on line.. eng and trans oil temp vs life.. run cool and last forever.. run too hot once and we'll you see what happens..
Some a/p stores will let you return your radiator if not happy.. so get your money back
Change belts and hoses if you have not already.. keep old ones as spares ..
This sounds like a lot.. but can be done with basic hand tools.. and I get a lot of flack.. but this is my opinion.. and if you are not happy.. keep old parts.. but you will not believe the difference.. as they will collect dust in corner. I mentioned trans cooler.. because the trans oil is routed through the radiator.. and if trans gets too hot.. like towing.. then that can cause over heat.. I like a aux cooler to pull heat out before radiator.. not put that heat into radiator.. just another opinion.. with radiator out.. put plastic bottles over trans lines.. just bump starter to see directions of oil flow and Mark the lines.. in and out..
You can add these 1 at a time.. until you are happy.. not all at once.. use hi quality rubber hoses too if you add coolers ..
Change out your p/s and diff and brake oil.. when you can.. make sure you have a p/s oil cooler.. they are cheap.. if you get into temps below 20 degrees.. you can just put a piece of cardboard in between radiator and condenser.. small price to pay for me.. by the way.. get a basic automotive repair book for Ford vans.. same yr as your.. Ford uses very same eng and trans.. I believe you said you have e450.. I like and use both Haynes and Chilton.. happy hunting..
Good luck and keep us posted

I bought the largest extra trans cooler I could get along time ago. Trans never gets hot.

wimpy · 07-13-2022, 03:16 AM

Excellent suggestions. I'd probably pose the same questions on a Ford Truck forum just to try to get additional input.

As already mentioned, the clutch fan is probably at fault. I had the same overheating problem on a Airstream 454 Chevy. Replaced it & solved the problem. The other quick & easy solution is to add the pusher fan.

.