I'v seen several people saying they put new radiators in there Clippers where are you getting them I'v called several places here in the modesto C.A. area and no one even has a listing for it also whats the average price for one
I just installed a 4-core radiator in mine last week. Works great, even eliminated the tranny cooler. That 4th core adds more cooling capacity. Try Schucks/kragen auto parts online or in the store, Performance radiator is a place to check too. $205 for the 3-core I paid $225 for the 4-core.
"Eliminated the tranny cooler"??
I'd carefully reconsider this move.
Considerd, tested, works fine. I don't tow anything anyway. I will save the cooler just in case I see a need for it after testing in the mountain passes later this summer.
Dear Jim:
I just wrote Tom regarding the same problem. Your best source is to recore the one you have. To find a four row radiator which bolts up perfectly and uses the same location for hoses will be very difficult to find. Call on several radiator repair specialists for quotes.
thanks conrad for the info but our kragen dosent have a listing for it do you have the number and also how did it fit did you have to modify it please let me no
My radiator from schucks did not need any modification, nor did my engine compartment. A perfect fit. (//images/smiles/icon_smile.gif)
Here is the URL to the site for Schucks at partsamerica.com Schucks america.com (http://www.partsamerica.com/default.asp)
Here is one for performance radiator: performance web page home (http://www.radiatorexpress.com/)
Notes: Have your VIN number ready, you may need it. Performance did not have a radiator for my Dodge 360 in its database but that doesn't mean they don't stock it. I spec out that my unit is a Dodge 360 V8 B300 Van. That is the 1 ton chassis that is under my Clipper. Good luck. (//images/smiles/icon_cool.gif)
thanks conrad mines a 440 but should be the same radiator
I think you could be making a costly mistake by not using a transmission cooler. The torque converter generates a lot of heat particularly under a load. Our rigs are a heavy load by themselves . They are heavy enough to near the load limits of the 16.5 x 8.00 tires they come with. Add all the junk and bodies we carry and our 1 ton rated chassis and running gear are working pretty hard under normal conditions. You don't have to pull a trailer to load up the transmission, just a few good hills is all you need. and we have plenty of those out here in the Pacific Northwest. A radiator for a manual transmission vehicle obviously doesn't need a cooler but I don't know of any vehicles that come from the factory with automatic transmission without a cooler in the base of the radiator. Even my Honda Accord has one. The transmission fluid should not be allowed to rise above 240 degrees. The radiator water/anti-freeze fluid dissipates the excess heat from the torque converter very efficiently and also keeps it from getting too cool and thick which reduces the efficiency of the converter. Add on coolers placed in front of the radiator have less control over the temperature range and are a poor substitute for the in radiator exchangers. You can be sure that Dodge and the other auto manufacturers would gladly save a buck and leave the cooler out of the radiator but they know that that would lead to massive warranty repairs of transmissions if they left them off. Transmission coolers are absolutely necessary in our overweight rigs. Its like the TV add says: "Don't leave home without one"!
I think that there is a mis-communication or mis-interpretation (//images/smiles/icon_razz.gif) I appreciate all the comments made as they make for good information for all of us.
Hi Jim,
I have been all over the internet and local parts houses including the one referred by the club parts guy Mel and have not been able to locate one for the 78 440. They are availble for the smaller engines however, but they are a smaller size also. Beware and make sure you check the core size. The size you should need for the 440 is 27 5/8 width by 21 height by 2 1/4 thickness. That is the actual size of the core! That is how they are measured. I am taking mime in to a local radiator shop today to see if they can install a new four core. In not, they can at least rod and boil it out and it should be almost like new. Good luck! Please let us know if you succeed in finding a new four core that fits without modification. Tom
Hi Jim,
I wanted to make a correction on the size of the radiator in the previous post. The height of the radiator for the 440 is 20 inches. If you have had any luck finding a new radiator please post the source. I am having mine recored,but couldn't get the four core. Had to go with the three. Pretty costly in my area. Good luck! Tom
We are in Santa Rosa, and just took my old one to the local radiator shop (Dutton Radiator, they do a large vol of work and have vast experience) and they handed me back an exact fit 4 core unit. No sweat! So any good shop should be able to do the same for you! (//images/smiles/icon_smile.gif)
If anyone is interested, I have pictures of my old 3-core radiator with tape measure showing the HWD dimensions. Mine was for a Dodge 360 B300 Van body. If I am not mistaken, 'core' dimensions differ from 'overall' dimensions. Overall dimensions are what I used when ordering a new radiator.
Thanks to all
There are two separate issues being discussed. 1) cooling the engine and 2)cooling the transmission. The engine cooling is helped by the bigger radiator and proper thermostat etc. The other thing that can really help are additives like water-wetter (see http://www.redlineoil.com/frames/watrwet.htm (http://www.redlineoil.com/frames/watrwet.htm) for info). It makes a huge difference in the heat transfer ability of antifreeze/water mixture. Antifreeze is a poor conductor of heat. The transmission cooling is just as important and some sources recommend NOT using the transmission cooler in the radiator unless you drive in subzero temperatures. The transmission fluid circuit in the radiator actually heats the fluid until the transmission fluid temperature exceeds the radiator coolant temperature. If you are never going to be in subzero temperatures a properly sized external transmission cooler is a better way to go. Consider adding an external transmission filter (more fluid=lower temperature and cleaner fluid=longer life). Plus synthetic transmission fluid, while it is more expensive synthetics last longer and synthetic Trans fluid alone is worth at least 20 deg F. Every 20 deg F rise in fluid temperature cuts the transmissions life in half so do that part of it right. The test of smelling the fluid to see if it is burnt just tells you the damage is already done so consider a trans temp guage. They also make thermostats for transmission coolers. (//images/smiles/icon_smile.gif) Sounds expensive but a lot cheaper than repairs.
I to am looking at replacing my radiator. I have found an interesting web site called U.S. Radiator (they manufacture high performance/custom radiaters) that have some interesting information about radiators and how they really need to work. They are expensive but their desert cooler model will probley be the one I am going to buy. I talked to them on the phone and they were really helpful.
2786
I don't know how the transcooler got into this but if anyone is interested this came from one of the best trans men around you can you trans fluid to cold heres what racers and big haulers recomend run the fluid into the trans cooler first then into the radiator then back to the trans this keeps the fluid at the correct temp which is the normal temp for the engine to cold can be as bad as to hot (//images/smiles/icon_smile.gif)
Sorry, the info I posted here was not correct.
They also make thermostats for oil. Can be used on either transmission or engine. See http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?target=search.asp&type=bykeyword&searchtype=both&part=oil+thermostat (http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?target=search.asp&type=bykeyword&searchtype=both&part=oil+thermostat) or http://www.derale.com/coolerfiltration.shtml. (http://www.derale.com/coolerfiltration.shtml.)
My brother has a transmission shop and informs me that the auxilary cooler comes after the transmission cooler in the lower tank of the radiator. A really large radiator can negate the need for an auxilary cooler, but the 440 is a large engine and there is no room for a bigger radiator, so best to go with an auxilary cooler. If transmission fluid gets too hot, it can foam letting bands and clutches slip resulting in a destroyed transmission. Also, the high heat causes early failure of rubber parts like seals. If you are concerned about transmission running too cool or too hot, get a transmission temperature gauge. On really cold days you can always put a blanket over the auxilary cooler and part of the radiator if you have a temperature gauge.
Has anyone ever heard of modifying the radiator so that the bottom hose is on the opposite side of the radiator from the top hose. On my 79 440 clipper, the hoses are both on the same side. The person I just bought the clipper from had recently had the radiator serviced and mentioned that the radiator guy suggested doing this to insure that coolant flows over a larger surface. I have never heard of this before though it may make sense. Thanks for your input. Al