87 Turbo radiator issues

[ccunningham83]

TLDR: Aluminium radiators suck, but where to find a bolt in stock radiator.

Has anyone here had to replace their radiator on their turbo truck?

It seems impossible to find a direct bolt in that has the fitting for the turbo coolant line. About a year ago I ordered a champion all aluminum radiator and had a fitting welded on to provide the fitting for the turbo coolant hose.

In about 6 months the radiator started leaking where the coolant tubes go into the end tanks. I talked to the radiator shop that I had weld the fitting on and they said that was a common issue on the aluminium radiators. They could epoxy it, but it wouldn't really be a permanent fix.

I contacted Champion and they sent me a new radiator. Well now I had to get a new bung and pay somebody to weld it on. Well, about six months later on the new radiator and I am seeing residue from where it looks like another leak is about to develop. I am tired of messing with these aluminium ones, but it is hard to find a normal radiator with this fitting.

Does anyone have any experience with this and what did you go with?

So far, the OSC 147 looks like it may have a spot for the fitting, but I can't find anything I can verify that with.

 

[nevada]

TLDR: Aluminium radiators suck, but where to find a bolt in stock radiator.

Has anyone here had to replace their radiator on their turbo truck?

It seems impossible to find a direct bolt in that has the fitting for the turbo coolant line. About a year ago I ordered a champion all aluminum radiator and had a fitting welded on to provide the fitting for the turbo coolant hose.

In about 6 months the radiator started leaking where the coolant tubes go into the end tanks. I talked to the radiator shop that I had weld the fitting on and they said that was a common issue on the aluminium radiators. They could epoxy it, but it wouldn't really be a permanent fix.

I contacted Champion and they sent me a new radiator. Well now I had to get a new bung and pay somebody to weld it on. Well, about six months later on the new radiator and I am seeing residue from where it looks like another leak is about to develop. I am tired of messing with these aluminium ones, but it is hard to find a normal radiator with this fitting.

Does anyone have any experience with this and what did you go with?

So far, the OSC 147 looks like it may have a spot for the fitting, but I can't find anything I can verify that with.

I have no experience with the turbo models, or what is required for oil cooling.

that said, supposedly the 3.0 radiator has the same capacity, and will mount right in. if you get it for an auto trans, it would have the trans cooler built in. would that work for the turbo oil cooler?

 

[ccunningham83]

I have no experience with the turbo models, or what is required for oil cooling.

that said, supposedly the 3.0 radiator has the same capacity, and will mount right in. if you get it for an auto trans, it would have the trans cooler built in. would that work for the turbo oil cooler?

My 4Runner (and all turbo 4Runners) is an automatic. I have to use the transmission cooler in the radiator.

The fitting I need is for coolant for the turbo, so all I need to do it tie it back into the cooling system. I could get some kind of t-fitting, but I would rather get the hose back to the radiator.

Here is a comparison comparing the two (this is not my setup). Notice the nipple on the left side of the end tank.

 

[nevada]

My 4Runner (and all turbo 4Runners) is an automatic. I have to use the transmission cooler in the radiator.

The fitting I need is for coolant for the turbo, so all I need to do it tie it back into the cooling system. I could get some kind of t-fitting, but I would rather get the hose back to the radiator.

Here is a comparison comparing the two (this is not my setup). Notice the nipple on the left side of the end tank.

ah. got it.

weird you are having issues with the Aluminum radiator. ive been running one in my v8 truck for MANY years, and never so much as a drop.

 

[ccunningham83]

Yeah, I feel like it is weird as well.

Even when it is freshly installed in the vehicle with no leaks the system still struggles cooling the vehicle in the Texas heat. Maybe it says more about the brand than aluminium radiators in general.

 

[fourwd1]

I've been running the 22RET radiator on the 22R in my 84 since I built it.
Got it from GoDan, which is now TransPro, IIRC.

 

[ccunningham83]

I've been running the 22RET radiator on the 22R in my 84 since I built it.
Got it from GoDan, which is now TransPro, IIRC.

Does it have the fitting for the turbo coolant line like in the picture?

 

[fourwd1]

I think so, but I'd have to check when it's not raining.

 

[ccunningham83]

So just to follow up, I purchased the OSC147 radiator from Amazon and while it does have a fitting for the coolant pipe adapter (use a 1/8" to 3/8" adapter), the radiator is not appropriately sized.

Mounting the radiator made clearance issues when bolted in place and I was unable to close the hood.

While that can be fixed by redrilling the mounting holes, the radiator core is too small for the fan shroud and the shroud covers pretty much all of the lower connections.



So if you have a turbo truck, do not order this radiator.

I'll go back to searching to find something that fits.

 

[ccunningham83]

So sorry to bring a thread back from the dead but maybe it will help some poor soul like me struggling to find the correct radiator for their vehicle.

I ended up getting a radiator from ebay from a vendor named americanradiator. They have two different sizes and mine was the bigger of the two. Ordered and shipped quick and it has been the closest fitting radiator so far.

The shroud seems to fit fine, but I had to cut a small clearance for the turbo coolant pipe. after doing that I was in business.

The turbo hose fitment was pretty tight to the shroud and the overflow hose tighter than I would like, but otherwise it sits pretty good.

If you are looking for a turbo radiator, this is the one I would recommend.