Increase 8v-71 cooling MC-5A

[FolkBus]

Hi all,

I would like to increase the cooling for my 5A. It looks as though there is enough room to add 1-2 rows to the radiators on each side.  Has anyone tried this? I'm going to pull both radiators and clean them and was looking for ideas to increase my cooling. BTW I still have the shutters, which work fine and already have misters. I live at 6800' and run over the passes here in CO and am in the 100+ degrees in the southwest.

Thanks

--Mike

[TomC]

Since the 8V-71N was a standard option, your radiators should be up to the task. Pull them and make sure all is clean. Going from a 4 row straight fin to a 6 row serpentine fin will make a big difference. Make sure all openings are sealed to get maximum suction on the radiators. In summer, I would open the shutters all the time. Good Luck, TomC

[bevans6]

The standard upgrade is to install MC-9 radiators.  Fwiw I run standard MC5C radiators with a 350 hp 8v-71T, I have run some decent hills although not at the altitude you have, 95 degrees, and the temp doesn't get over around 195.  So they can do a good job if the system is up to snuff.

Brian

[FolkBus]

Thanks All. Where can I get 6 row serpentine?  I am going to reseal the radiator area just to make sure but I also trailer my car and would rather have the extra overhead for the cooling,

--Mike

[TomC]

Any experienced commercial radiator shop that works on copper/brass radiators will be able to recore the two radiators. Will cost around $2,000.  Good Luck, TomC

[lvmci]

Hi Mike, also check all the rubber seals between the two radiators and the squrriel fan box, air leaks there will reduce air flow thru radiators, Also do you have a mechanical fan belt tightener or hydraulic?  If that is not working properly, fan might not be cooling at full speed, that is what I did to increase cooling on my 5A, lvmci...

[buswarrior]

Canned spray foam does a good job sealing up rotten rubber seals around the radiators. Every breeze that goes around, isn't cooling the engine!

Leave what's left in place to act as a base for your stream.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[FolkBus]

Thanks,  I will be checking on possible air leaks.  The foam isn't abad idea.  lvmci, i have a mechanical adjuster and I have been watching that.  I need to pull the radiators and get them cleaned/rodded out.  I'm thinking they might be in need.  Should it come down to replacing cores, where would you all suggest I look for the serpentine cores?  I'm on the west slope of colorado.

Thanks

--Mike

[RJ]

Should it come down to replacing cores, where would you all suggest I look for the serpentine cores?  I'm on the west slope of Colorado.

Mike -

As TomC mentioned above, look for a commercial radiator shop, especially one that works on 18-wheelers.  Almost any of them can pull the tanks and replace the core for you, after "boiling out" the tanks.  Google or Yellow Pages for your neck of the woods. 

One other thought, especially when pulling your trailer, be sure to shift the transmission manually.  You'll get better performance out of the powertrain, and with proper downshifting when climbing RockyTop, you can keep the engine revs in the correct range for maximum cooling, which is about 1800-1900 rpm.

FWIW & HTH. . .

[lvmci]

Hi Mike, kenworth shops have a good liquid rinse to cleanout your radiators, if you want to try that first, called cooling system cleaner Restore. lvmci...

[FolkBus]

Again thank you all.  I will look for a big truck shop. RJ, I always shift manually..I have never been comfortable with the shifting points of my trans.

[lvmci]

Also Mike, go to home depot and get cans of AC condenser  fin cleaner, Clifford showed me by shining a flashlight thru the radiators just how crud had blocked the air flow in my radiators, couldn't see the flashlight beam so much crud, and not much heat dissapation, lvmci...

[FolkBus]

VERY GOOD IDEA!!!!

[skihor]

Thanks,  I will be checking on possible air leaks.  The foam isn't abad idea.  lvmci, i have a mechanical adjuster and I have been watching that.  I need to pull the radiators and get them cleaned/rodded out.  I'm thinking they might be in need.  Should it come down to replacing cores, where would you all suggest I look for the serpentine cores?  I'm on the west slope of colorado.

Thanks

--Mike

Not west slope, but, Denver radiators did alright by me. I dealt with Matt Burguard, (unsure of spelling) They re-cored my stock rads and I designed two additional rads that I put inside the lower louver doors, (MCI 5A). They followed my specs to the letter. I designed them to swing open.

[FolkBus]

Thank you