| thermostat [message #183839] |
Mon, 10 September 2012 10:59  |
Smith
Messages: 17
Registered: July 2012
Location: Central CA
Karma: 0
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Hello,
Does anyone have experience with "Motorad" thermostats? Received a 195 degree for 455 engine w aluminum radiator. Wondering how these rate and if this is ok or 180 would be better.
Also, the Dotson/Griffin aluminum radiator...I understand the stock radiator frame needs to be modified for it to seat properly but I received no instructions on what exactly needs to be done. Can someone help me out with that? Everything is out of the coach at the moment.
Thanks, I've been lurking here for a couple of years and you all have taught me a lot and cost me a lot of money 
JJ
1977 Eleganza II
1976 Palm Beach
California Central Coast
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| Re: thermostat [message #183841 is a reply to message #183839] |
Mon, 10 September 2012 11:18  |
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WD0AFQ
Messages: 7111
Registered: November 2004
Location: Dexter, Mo.
Karma: 207
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Thanks, I've been lurking here for a couple of years and you all have taught me a lot and cost me a lot of money
JJ[/quote]
Thanks for posting JJ. I suspect we have as many lurkers as we have contributors. Most of yall have information that could very well be beneficial to others. Its good to see you come on in here.
I rather doubt your above statement. My thinking is that we have saved you breakdowns on the road as you spend the money to repair things in your driveway. Much more fun. Sometimes, no matter what, we have to ride a flat bed. I know for a fact, twice, and was 2000 miles from home both times. In fact, I was in the same spot, both times the engines went south.
Anyway, I can't answer your question. I just read and spend my money like you. I depend on the others here to keep my coach running. Took me 8 years to finally get my neglected Alcoas to shine like they should. Chuck Boyd has the right stuff, in a bottle. Just finished polishing them again yesterday.
Dan
3 In Stainless Exhaust Headers
One Ton All Discs/Reaction Arm
355 FD/Quad Bag/Alum Radiator Manny Tran/New eng.
Holley EFI/10 Tire Air Monitoring System
Solarized Coach/Upgraded Windows
Satelite TV/On Demand Hot Water/3Way Refer
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| Re: thermostat [message #183843 is a reply to message #183839] |
Mon, 10 September 2012 12:05 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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The Motorad is a "fail safe" thermostat meaning it is designed to fail open rather than closed. So if it fails you should not be stuck on the road with an over heated engine. I bought one once but I forget what vehicle I installed in. Whatever it was it must be still running as I do not buy new cars very often. I am not a proponent of 195 thermostats in the GMC. I asked Dick Paterson once and he said the same thing to me. Use the 180. Why run the engine (and transmission) continuously at 15 degrees higher than necessary. In my opinion cooler is better (within limits).
On the radiator one of the rubber shock mounts is in a slightly different positing. You simply knock the tiny steel plate loose on the radiator mount and move it about 1/2".
Some people cut the radiator mounting frame and make a joint on it so future removal of the radiator is easier. I did not bother. My first radiator lasted 30 years and the new aluminum one is built even heavier. So I figured 30 years from now I will not be removing that radiator. I'm 68 right now. I would suggest that you install a lower radiator guard to keep flying rocks and gravel for hitting your new radiator.
Get one here: http://www.bdub.net/blainemerrell/
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] thermostat [message #183844 is a reply to message #183841] |
Mon, 10 September 2012 12:04 |
storm'n
Messages: 492
Registered: April 2007
Location: Ont. Can
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Dan.
You know the drill, no Alcoa pics, it didn't happen.
Norm
Thanks, I've been lurking here for a couple of years and you all have taught me a lot and cost me a lot of money ;)
JJ[/quote]
Thanks for posting JJ. I suspect we have as many lurkers as we have contributors. Most of yall have information that could very well be beneficial to others. Its good to see you come on in here.
I rather doubt your above statement. My thinking is that we have saved you breakdowns on the road as you spend the money to repair things in your driveway. Much more fun. Sometimes, no matter what, we have to ride a flat bed. I know for a fact, twice, and was 2000 miles from home both times. In fact, I was in the same spot, both times the engines went south.
Anyway, I can't answer your question. I just read and spend my money like you. I depend on the others here to keep my coach running. Took me 8 years to finally get my neglected Alcoas to shine like they should. Chuck Boyd has the right stuff, in a bottle. Just finished polishing them again yesterday.
Dan
--
Dan & Teri Gregg
http://danandteri.blogspot.com/
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| Re: [GMCnet] thermostat [message #183845 is a reply to message #183844] |
Mon, 10 September 2012 12:06 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Dan went right by my house last week and did not stop. He knew I would be putting him to work polishing mine.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: thermostat [message #183847 is a reply to message #183839] |
Mon, 10 September 2012 12:20 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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I had a 195 in mine. and on really hot days it would fill up the overflow tank, and pour antifreeze on the ground. never really seemed to get hot, hot per the guage, and everything else seemed fine. thought i had a blown head gasket.
was told to put in a 180 thermostat in by a gmc expert. I have driven it on hotter days then before, and even towed. no more antifreeze overfilling the bottle.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: thermostat [message #183855 is a reply to message #183848] |
Mon, 10 September 2012 12:57 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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| Javier wrote on Mon, 10 September 2012 12:30 |
Thanks guys,
** SNIP **
Again, many thanks. I try to use "search" as much as possible so as not to bother anyone but couldn't find the details I was looking for on these questions.
JJ
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Bother us any time you wish. Most of us have been where you are and are happy to help.
Ken B.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: thermostat [message #183859 is a reply to message #183839] |
Mon, 10 September 2012 13:18 |
midlf
Messages: 2212
Registered: July 2007
Location: SE Wisc. (Palmyra)
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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| Javier wrote on Mon, 10 September 2012 10:59 |
Also, the Dotson/Griffin aluminum radiator...I understand the stock radiator frame needs to be modified for it to seat properly but I received no instructions on what exactly needs to be done. Can someone help me out with that? Everything is out of the coach at the moment.
JJ
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The instructions with mine said the rubber cushion mounting brackets on the passenger side need to be removed. This is a sentence buried in the same text as proper grounding. GeneD said to just knock the pass side mount out and permatex glue the supplied rubber mount to the radiator itself. Just did this yesterday. What Gene said to do would work well. For me I moved the pass side lower mount over to the new correct location. I used the new radiator to determine where the correct location for the new mount. Also, just because, I will use 4 new rubber cushions although 3 of the 4 the old ones didn't seem that bad. (one of my goals is to replace ALL original rubber with new.)
BTW the envelope with the instructions and the invoice with mine had slipped to the very bottom of the carton under the packing foam. I had to take EVERYTHING out of the carton before I found it.
Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI
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| Re: thermostat [message #183886 is a reply to message #183839] |
Mon, 10 September 2012 17:22 |
Smith
Messages: 17
Registered: July 2012
Location: Central CA
Karma: 0
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Junior Member |
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Thanks again everyone...I have successfully modified the frame for the new radiator.
Now another question has arisen. I received a lower radiator hose from a reputable supplier, but it does not have springs in it like the one it is replacing. Does this matter?
1977 Eleganza II
1976 Palm Beach
California Central Coast
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| Re: thermostat [message #183887 is a reply to message #183886] |
Mon, 10 September 2012 17:29 |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Short answer -yes. Purpose of the hose is to prevent the lower hose from collapsing.
Tom,MS II
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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| Re: thermostat [message #183906 is a reply to message #183839] |
Mon, 10 September 2012 19:10 |
Smith
Messages: 17
Registered: July 2012
Location: Central CA
Karma: 0
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Junior Member |
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The old spring was pretty rusty and broke as I was trying to pull it out.
1977 Eleganza II
1976 Palm Beach
California Central Coast
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| Re: [GMCnet] thermostat [message #183914 is a reply to message #183886] |
Mon, 10 September 2012 20:08 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Scott,
Easy fix, take the spring out of the hose you're replacing, inspect it, and if it's in good shape put it in the new hose.
Regards,
Rob M.
-----Original Message-----
From: Scott Smith
Thanks again everyone...I have successfully modified the frame for the new radiator.
Now another question has arisen. I received a lower radiator hose from a reputable supplier, but it does not have springs in it
like the one it is replacing. Does this matter?
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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