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Yukon radiator and electric fans for GMC motorhome [message #371371]

Thu, 25 May 2023 12:24

rgogan

Messages: 82
Registered: February 2004
Location: Milwaukee, WI

Karma: 0

Member

Any opinions on Jim Bounds and Jason's project to substitute a GMC Yukon all aluminum radiator and tanks with electric fans for our OEM motorhome radiators? He recently discussed this on his youtube video from Utah.
The Yukon looks quite a bit smaller than our current radiators. I am skeptical that it could provide sufficient heat removal during those uphill climbs at near full throttle. I had my radiator recored about 5 years ago and am hoping that I will be OK for a few years. Jim is concerned that the number of radiator shops around the country that do recores is rapidly diminishing and we could find ourselves on the road with a leaking radiator and no one to repair it, hence the incentive to use an off the shelf substitute.
Is there a rating system for the cooling capacity of radiator cores that would give us an idea of the success in making this substitution before we start reengineering the radiator mounting systems and hose routing?

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Re: Yukon radiator and electric fans for GMC motorhome [message #371372 is a reply to message #371371]

Thu, 25 May 2023 13:33

rgogan

Messages: 82
Registered: February 2004
Location: Milwaukee, WI

Karma: 0

Member

In doing some further research on this situation, I found a GMC Motorhome replacement aluminum radiator from a vendor in Mount Clemens, Michigan selling his product for $980 on ebay. He claims that his two tube radiator has 40% more cooling capacity than the original radiator and is a bolt in exact fit.
Good to know this is available in case anyone breaks down on the road without a radiator shop to rescue them. Cinnabar in the past has warned about recoring radiators with a core that did not have sufficient number of fins and tubes for adequate cooling. Therefore the recoring process itself can be somewhat sketchy if the radiator shop substitutes the wrong core. I certainly have had anxiety about my cooling system boiling over when I am trying to keep up with the traffic on mountainous uphill grades with my 455.

Jim Bounds' solution is financially more attractive. Yukon radiators sell for only $150 to $200 and the dual electric fan solution is about $200 for the fans and shroud. However, the electrical control system is pricey and our 80 amp alternators might be strained by this high amperage load in addition to other driving loads.

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Re: Yukon radiator and electric fans for GMC motorhome [message #371373 is a reply to message #371372]

Thu, 25 May 2023 13:44

Matt Colie

Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan

Karma: 7

Senior Member

Rgogan,

As an engineer responsible for specifying and procuring parts for prototype vehicles, I have done business with Superior for years.

Yes, it is a two tube radiator, but those are 2ea 1" tubes and most all brass cores are 1/2" tubes. And the workmanship is beautiful.

Matt_C

Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit

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Re: Yukon radiator and electric fans for GMC motorhome [message #371376 is a reply to message #371371]

Fri, 26 May 2023 10:10

Tilerpep

Messages: 404
Registered: June 2013
Location: Raleigh, NC

Karma: 7

Senior Member

I started a new thread today with an update on my $225 radiator experiment from a few years back in response to your query. It also has the link to the original thread in 2020.

https://gmc.mybirdfeeder.net/GMCforum/index.php?t=msg&th=45749&start=0&rid=3615

Tyler

1975 Glenbrook, 1978 Royale rear bath Raleigh, NC

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