Chevy & GMC Vans

Ok i know a couple people have swapped to LS based engines i want to know what you did with your rads? did you use stock 4.3 or the donors or did you re-core the original?


HMB
Cobra

Cobra wrote:Ok i know a couple people have swapped to LS based engines i want to know what you did with your rads? did you use stock 4.3 or the donors or did you re-core the original?


HMB
Cobra

I'm not there yet, but my plan was to use the extra-capacity radiator... I think was available through Autozone... that was a direct replacement for the Astro/Safari

(And for the fan, I was thinking Taurus electric, or maybe an aftermarket electric, with shroud. My van will need to be able to handle towing a 3-place enclosed snowmobile trailer.)

while i never ran my conversion before i pulled the ls engine out for another project and went with a traditional small block, i had installed the stock radiator using the hoses that came with my 01 silverado 5.3 and i put 97 caravan electric fans on. they fit the radiator pretty perfectly, and i am going to use them with my new 350.

When I went to repair the 94LT's rad by taking it to a rad repair shop,they told me those rad's are not repairable.The main reason was the design of the plastic end tanks are prone to cracking on the reinforcement ribs.Actually showed me where cracks where starting to form but wasn't leaking.

Here is the thread for HD cooling for 1995 - 2005 vans.

that is an informative topic but one thing worries me is this true?

dragonvan wrote:Remember a single row rad of any given width has more cooling capacity than a 2 or 3 row of equivalent thickness.

i swear that goes against everything i've read

On my '99 LS1 in my '98 Astro I used the stock rad with Z28 Camero dual fans. It's been in use for over 20,000 miles and I did have to replace the rad last year due to cracking but that would have happened with whatever engine.

i'm asked because it seems like i have a crack around the upper rad hose .... (i can't think of what it's called) on my rad and coolant is running down it, very slow leak right now but going to have to replace it. If i'm going to have to get a new one anyways i'd like to get a V8 worth one but is ours are ok then i'll look for the thicker core

Cobra, no sense in replacing with stock even if it is adequate. Look for the HD version in the thread I linked. Then if you decide to buy a camper and start towing, you will be good to go.

Cobra wrote:ok then i'll look for the thicker core

I have a habit of upgrading anything i can, If i have to fix it why not improve it right. Towing I've done it multiple times (and plan to do a lot more) with no problems engine heat wise, transmission is another story though lol
I'd like to get the 1 3/8 but i'd have to get mine recored for that and if my tank is the problem wouldn't work out too well lol i'm going to look for some performance full metal ones if anyone has any leads on one that will fit let me know

HMB
Cobra

Rock Auto still sells the Astro cores. I got a 1 3/8" core from a 95 or so Lumina/Transport van with heavy duty cooling package. It was the same length so I crimped on the Astro tanks. Worked great. Crimped it myself..



Scott

i see them selling complete rads not just the cored (i may have overlooked it thought) you installed the tanks yourself you say was it easy and how?

I meant to say they still sell the Astro tanks. Or use your existing ones if they are still in good shape. Look close, you will find that they might be starting to crack on the ribs on the inlet side.

I used a wide flat headed screwdriver to pry up the crimps, or may have been a pair of channellocks. I dont remember exactly. Just want to lift the tabs up enough to pull off the tank.

To put back together I used channellocks to bend back down. A pair of vise grips works good too as you can set them not to crimp too tight.

I sealed the two hose ports with plastic caps, filled with water and put cooling system pressure tester on it to test for leaks. Didnt have any first time.

It was pretty easy to do, easeier than I thought.

I got the rad core from a wrecker around here, it was almost new so it worked out great. You could always buy a new rad on RockAuto for the 95 Transport to get a new core.

Size of core is 28 1/4" by 17 1/4".

Scott

OK, pardone the naive question... But what seals the sides to the core? I've never looked closely at one or took one apart, but figured it wasn't a screwdriver and channel locks job.

I just phoned rockauto they don't sell the tanks for our trucks. the hunt continues lol
mdmead: the seal is what i was wondering about too