BajaNomad

Need a radiator?

BigWooo - 4-30-2007 at 10:44 AM

I just put a new radiator in my 97 f350 diesel. The old one has 110,000 miles on it, but it's still good.

I was going to keep it for a spare, but no matter where I put the thing, it's in the way. I'm tired of moving it around my garage. I hate to throw it out since it still works. Before I do, I thought I'd see if someone with more room than I have wants it as a backup.

You'll have to pick it up in So. Cal., Please U2U me if you can use it.

Hook - 4-30-2007 at 02:55 PM

Hey big woo, what kind of coolant are your running? Using the Ford SCAs still?

Sharksbaja - 4-30-2007 at 02:58 PM

Mr Woo, why did you change it ? Bigger? Mo cores?

BigWooo - 4-30-2007 at 04:15 PM

Sharks,

Unfortunately I’m a bit of a mechanical marooon when it comes to cars and trucks. My neighbor races pro trucks, and is my mechanic, so I often default to his judgment. Whatever coolant I have is what he felt was best to use. I’ll ask him next time I talk to him.

I didn’t get a different or special radiator, as the truck got older, I just set artificial goal that when it hit 100,000 miles I’d slowly start replacing all the things that normally wear out. I’m getting down to the last few things on my list. I replaced the water pump and radiator just before our last trip. I’m glad we replaced the water pump. The pump didn’t have symptoms of wear, but the bearings were nearly shot. The impeller base was just starting to wear on the housing. I’m confident changing it out averted a breakdown during our last trip in January. The radiator’s still ok, but at least I have the confidence of running on a new one.

If we were retired I probably wouldn’t worry as much, but I hate wasting valuable vacation time fixing worn out parts when we should be enjoying Baja.

bajalou - 4-30-2007 at 04:23 PM

I have a 92 F350 with almost 250,000 miles and still on the same radiator. No indications of problems yet - use generic antifreeze/coolant. Still can idle or run for hours in the 100 deg Baja summers, but thinking might be time to have it pulled and rodded out. Costs $25 to have the local radiator man do it in San Felipe. He's done a couple others for me and improved the cooling of my Bronco II and my E150. Also R&R'd a water pump and clutch fan at no extra charge. Great service and great work.

tripledigitken - 4-30-2007 at 04:56 PM

Big Woo,

I have a 97 Ford diesel also. One item I'm sure is on your list is the serpentine belt. I'm not sure you would find one in Baja when you needed it.

Ken

bajalou - 4-30-2007 at 05:23 PM

I had the idler break off (not the tensioner) and it doesn't matter how may serpentine belts you carry (I had a spare one) it doesn't work. Now I also carry one of those universal belts you cut and fasten together with a bolt. I can put it on and run the water pump, thereby driving it, with a little difficulty, to get somewhere that has a idler or tensioner. That day I sat and let it cool, drove till the temp started up, then stopped for a while, let it cool, then drove again. Good thing part of the East Mexicali crossing is downhill.

bajalou - 4-30-2007 at 05:53 PM

Better with a tensioner, but if you really work at making it tight to start you can get by. I don't worry about the PS, I can manhandle that, but the water pump is a must.

tripledigitken - 4-30-2007 at 06:02 PM

Lencho,

I used not to be concerned about parts for my ford..........until with the aid of mechanic in Santa Rosalia we could not find a fuel filter for my truck. La Paz or Ensenada probably not a concern but between the two I'm not so sure anymore.

BigWooo - 4-30-2007 at 08:35 PM

Ken: I do carry an extra serpentine belt, plus I recently replaced the tensioner and idler. Keep both in a compartment in my service bed for spares.

Lencho, I have some friends that do a lot of racing and pre-running. When faced with really deep water they don't take off the belt, they go through in reverse. That way the fan and engine are in a trough created by the truck and stay dry. I've never tried it though. I saw video of them doing it and looked like it works pretty well.

That only works in still water though. If it's moving water no matter how you cross, you can get into more trouble than you can handle really fast.

Hook - 5-1-2007 at 03:15 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by tripledigitken
Lencho,

I used not to be concerned about parts for my ford..........until with the aid of mechanic in Santa Rosalia we could not find a fuel filter for my truck. La Paz or Ensenada probably not a concern but between the two I'm not so sure anymore.


Ken, invest in an inexpensive rail mounted fuel filter before the one by the engine. Mount it before the fuel pump, too, if practical. It will protect the more difficult to find stock filter. Most anything with the same inside diameter of your fuel line will work. I use a cheap Wix and bring one with me.

About 6.00 total, including hose clamps.

[Edited on 5-1-2007 by Hook]

tripledigitken - 5-1-2007 at 03:34 PM

Hook,

Thanks for the tip. I always carry a spare. That trip however, I needed 2 spares.

I was surprized one couldn't be found in Santa Rosalia.:?:

Ken

Cypress - 5-1-2007 at 05:30 PM

Disabled fans while crossing water? Maybe they had one of those fans that operates off an electric motor, one of those special gizmos that lowers engine temps by about 5 degrees.:D

Hook - 5-2-2007 at 10:47 AM

If the water is THAT high, I aint crossing.

I've had to sit next to crossings for hours waiting for them to go down. Usually a crowd developes; the next thing you know, food and drink is being shared around.

It's the roadies equivalent of making lemonade from lemons.