Radiator swap

[zerovandez]

Im trying to find a cost affective solution to cooling down this i6 motor of mine.

Was wondering if increased cooling capacity would help. If so, would a radiator from an ext fit into my swb?

I know that the ext was also offered with a 5.3 v8 as well, anyone has specs on its radiator? Would it fit in swb?

[DirtyBacon04]

These come from the factory with an ability to keep itself cool. Have you done any mods or had any issues that would explain why it can't cool anymore? Heavy towing?
Also, where are you getting your temps? Gauge cluster or scantool?
As much as I have done with my rig, even off-roading in the desert of the SW in 110+ degree weather, I've never had an issue with engine cooling.

[zerovandez]

The engine is stock with a few replacement parts. The most relevant replacement part is the ACDelco thermostat which fixed my closed thermos issue causing overheat.

I took a trip out to Mammoth from SoCal with outside temps reaching 115f. My A/C was on for the entire way and the last 20 miles were brutal, the climb was much more inclined and the truck overheated. I had kids in the car with minimal gear so it's not like she was loaded. The coolant boiled over and out of the res. I refilled with 50/50 at res and radiator then limped her to the destination after an hour or so of resting.

In socal with temps at 93f, I don't get the same issue but the temp needle on gauge does move slightly above 210 at times.

[bartonmd]

If it's overheating, you've got something wrong. Likely your fan clutch isn't fully engaging. It should be able to tow a 5k+ trailer up those hills at 120F and not boil over.

Mike

[zerovandez]

Sorry, I realized I replaced more to this truck than previously stated. Here's a list which was done within the last 2 months.

Water Pump
Fan Clutch
Thermostat
Gaskets for IM, VC, TB
Cleaned the TB
Flushed coolant as best I could and replaced with dexcool 50/50

When does the fan clutch engage? does it ever partial engage or only full lock up?

[bartonmd]

No, it comes on linearly, and later than you'd think. You didn't happen to have a SES light, did you?

Have you at all recently cleaned your radiator and condenser?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETsia8XD5rk

It's not out of bounds for a new or fairly new fan clutch or thermostat to be out of spec, either. In fact, my AC Delco replacement thermostat tended to make the coolant temperature walk up and down 15-20 degrees, on the highway, for no apparent reason.

Mike

[DirtyBacon04]

Yea, I forgot about the obvious possibility of a dirty radiator. First time i cleaned mine, I was astonished at the amount of caked on mud i found

[zerovandez]

Cool thanks, guys. I will take the cheaper route first. What program is that?

Also, would installing a transmission cooler help take away heat from the radiator?

[DirtyBacon04]

That depends on if you put the auxiliary cooler before or after the radiator.

[zerovandez]

What would be considered optimal?

[DirtyBacon04]

Insert the aux xmsn cooler before the radiator to reduce the workload of the radiator.
For optimal xmsn cooling, insert it after the radiator.