4106 Radiators - Tips for maximum cooling?

[technomadia]

Our radiator is off at the shop now, and they've just gotten back to us with a quote for re-coring our stock old and beat up 5-core radiator with a new 6-core setup.

I know several people with GM 4106's have mentioned having 7-core radiators (BarnOwl, for one).  The shop here is afraid this might not fit in the space available. 

Are there any guidelines or tips I can give them for how to do this optimally for us? Are there any potential fit issues that we will need to work around?

What is the ideal radiator configuration for a GM 4106?

Cheers,

  - Chris

[Utahclaimjumper]

 My 06 had the seven core option and it fits with no mods.>>>Dan

[technomadia]

My 06 had the seven core option and it fits with no mods.>>>Dan

Was a seven core radiator an original factory option for the 4106, or is this an upgrade done later?

[OneLapper]

Was a seven core radiator an original factory option for the 4106, or is this an upgrade done later?

Upgrade done later.  I don't think 7 core radiators were ever fitted from the factory.

[Utahclaimjumper]

 You must remember that todays radiators are much more efficient than yesteryear, so probably don't need that many cores.>>>Dan  (They are also more delicate and won't tolerate abuse)

[technomadia]

For those with seven core radiators, in what ways are the physical dimensions larger than the five core?

  - Chris

[Uglydog56]

The part between the tanks where the fins are will be about an inch thicker on the seven relative to the five.

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[skihor]

Serpentine fins and dimpled tubes.

[NonHippieBus]

My 4106 got a 7 row core from Macs radiator in Salem, OR about a month ago.  They have bunches of locations in the PNW. 

New core bolts to existing upper and lower "tanks" and has identical exterior dimensions.  I overhauled my vernatherm and built a brand now shroud using aluminum and simple hand tools.  I was planning to post some DIY threads on these topics but have been procrastinating

[NonHippieBus]

I'm assuming the radiator core i removed was factory.  It had 4 thick rows clearly visible when the upper and lower "tanks" were removed.

[technomadia]

The part between the tanks where the fins are will be about an inch thicker on the seven relative to the five.

My 4106 got a 7 row core from Macs radiator in Salem, OR about a month ago.  ....
New core bolts to existing upper and lower "tanks" and has identical exterior dimensions. 

I'm confused...  Is it "identical exterior dimensions" or "about an inch thicker" or does this just vary by the radiator shop that does the work?

  - Chris

[NonHippieBus]

Mine is identical external dimensions, more rows in the core.  No exterior dimensional change including core thickness

[Uglydog56]

The tanks set the exterior dimensions.  If you look, the finned part is narrower than the tanks. A 7 core is 1 inch less narrower (please pardon my horrible grammar) in the finned part than the 5 core. The thickness of the tanks (depth?) dictates how many cores will fit.

Also another option is a staggered tube setup for more cooling.  Since I'm spending your money and not mine.

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[RJ]

Chris -

As has been mentioned, the 7 row core will fit using your existing top and bottom tanks.  Number of fins/inch and the dimples improves the heat transfer.

Make sure the torus drive works properly. . . Several may disagree and recommend a straight drive, but if the torus is healthy?

Some folk have replaced the fan with a similar diameter but more blades. . .

Make sure the fan shroud does it's job - no places around it for air to escape.  The fan should suck all the air thru the radiator, nothing from around it.  There have been posts by GM and MCI owners about gaps causing problems. . .

Also, since you tend to stay in warmer climates, freezing is less of an issue.  Therefore, you might consider using a 60/40 or 70/30 water/coolant mix ratio to improve hot weather cooling.  As you probably know, straight water cools the best, but rust becomes an issue quickly!  So you've got to maintain some ratio of coolant to reduce the crud factor.

Just some more trivia for you to ponder!

FWIW & HTH. . .

[chessie4905]

  Even though some don't like them, a good mister  system has benefits when you could use some more cooling on a hot day on a long climb. They can be installed at minimal cost after you get your coach back on the road. There are many posts here to help fabricate one with locally available parts.