Re: Testing a radiator
[Re: hemienvy]
#3052719
06/23/22 02:10 PM
06/23/22 02:10 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 847 Avondale AZ
Prodart440
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 847
Avondale AZ
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If you are questioning the radiator, take it to a radiator shop and have them flush it out.
Aaron
68 Roadrunner 383/AT 69 Dart GT Conv. 383/AT 05 Dodge Ram 4x4 Cummins 06 GoManGo R/T Daytona #757 68 Coronet 440
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Re: Testing a radiator
[Re: moparx]
#3052801
06/23/22 07:55 PM
06/23/22 07:55 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,486 Freeport IL USA
poorboy
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,486
Freeport IL USA
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Nearest radiator shop to here is 45 miles away.
Back in the old days, the test for water flow was to cap off the upper hose outlet, leave the bottom hose outlet open, insert a 5/8" garden hose into the radiator cap, and turn the water on full volume. If the water didn't back up through the radiator cap, the radiator was deemed good. If the water backed up through the radiator cap, you replaced or repaired the radiator because it was at least partially plugged. There was a time limit on how long the water could flow before backing up and still have an acceptable radiator flow, but we were dirt track racing, any backup was unacceptable. A partially plugged radiator will show up pretty fast, usually in less then a couple of minutes. The 5/8" garden hose at full volume was the same volume of engine coolant that could flow through an open thermostat. Gene
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Re: Testing a radiator
[Re: hemienvy]
#3052817
06/23/22 09:02 PM
06/23/22 09:02 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,197 Omaha Ne
TJP
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,197
Omaha Ne
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Speaking of overheating, is there a way to test a radiator for flow or blockage, without trying it on a running engine ?
Radiator out of car, if you stick a garden hose in the inlet and all the water goes out the outlet without backing up, what have you learned ?
If the outlet water is discolored but seems to be flowing, there's probably some sediment but you cannot know how much, or where in the core it is.
And I agree, the real test is hook it up in the car and see if you get overheating.
So barring a "rebuild", what kind of bench test can you do that would be useful ? Google and You tube are your friends "RADIATOR FLOW TEST"
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Re: Testing a radiator
[Re: A12]
#3052846
06/23/22 11:10 PM
06/23/22 11:10 PM
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,745 Phila
PhillyRag
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,745
Phila
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An infrared temperature gun will give you a lot of information. The radiator once up to temp should be fairly even in temperature around the entire radiator. I had the radiator in my '68 Road Runner puke coolant after a short drive and if you looked into the radiator you would have thought it was like new. Took the temp at various spots and the whole passenger's side was stone cold half way down. Re-cored it and no more problems. The temp gun will let you know if there are any restrictions in the core, temp should be uniform for most of the area of the entire radiator. Makes perfect sense & checks it while in car & use. Everyone should have one of those IR tools
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Re: Testing a radiator
[Re: PhillyRag]
#3052918
06/24/22 10:51 AM
06/24/22 10:51 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,197 Omaha Ne
TJP
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,197
Omaha Ne
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An infrared temperature gun will give you a lot of information. The radiator once up to temp should be fairly even in temperature around the entire radiator. I had the radiator in my '68 Road Runner puke coolant after a short drive and if you looked into the radiator you would have thought it was like new. Took the temp at various spots and the whole passenger's side was stone cold half way down. Re-cored it and no more problems. The temp gun will let you know if there are any restrictions in the core, temp should be uniform for most of the area of the entire radiator. Makes perfect sense & checks it while in car & use. Everyone should have one of those IR tools What most don't know about the IR guns is they are an "indicator" meaning they can vary unless calibrated for the surfaces they are measuring. Paint, the thickness of, types of material all come into play. For a gross difference as mentioned by A12 great idea / choice
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