Radiator upgrade

[1998 K1500 Bubbles]

I have a 1998 K1500 z71 5.7 4L60e that has a problem heating up when it’s over 90 degrees. When idling at a stop for a couple minutes it can get up to 230-240 degrees. It has a new water pump and thermostat in it because the bearings went out on the water pump. It has a very thin radiator (probably 1 1/4 thick) in it which probably doesn’t appreciate how much I tow with it. Is there a k2500 or k3500 that I could get a radiator and shroud from that would be large and have a thick core?

 

[454cid]

Yes, but.... the radiator is easy, but the shroud and brackets will have to come from a parts truck to install a Vortec 454 radiator. You might also find a thicker radiator that's the same height that would be easier to install.

I would recommend figuring out why your exiting setup is allowing the temperature to rise. I would guess the exiting radiator may be getting plugged up.

 

[99xcss4]

I would swap to a 454 radiator 11 blade fan and a hd fan clutch and swap in a 180 degree thermostat

 

[1998 K1500 Bubbles]

The pump is correct, it’s a factory acdelco pump and matched the part number of the one that came off. The radiator as far as I know is the OE radiator but I does have 245k miles on it. I flushed the cooling system when I replaced the pump. If I’m going to replace the radiator I would like to get a large one for my future plans with the truck. When it’s sitting still if I increase rpm to 1k it will keep it from increasing but doesn’t go back down until I get up to speed.

 

[1998 K1500 Bubbles]

I would swap to a 454 radiator 11 blade fan and a hd fan clutch and swap in a 180 degree thermostat

Could I use the 454 fan shroud with the 5.7?

 

[99xcss4]

yes you can but you will need the brackets for it

 

[Carlaisle]

Have you washed the radiator? You might be amazed how much junk has accumulated in those fins over the last 245k miles.

 

[RichLo]

Yes you can run a 454 radiatlor, just make sure its a low filler neck, not a 3500HD rad with the tall filler neck.

Otherwise you can fit a wider and thicker 3" rad with your current fan shroud, just take measurements, rock auto is good with supplying accurate measurements.

 

[99xcss4]

I would see if you can find the brackets at the junk yard looking over on ebay there is a used set and a new set both are expensive https://www.ebay.com/itm/3056330471...TjPgGVrWo1qAUGSZJOVibOjSk=|tkp:Bk9SR96v5IikZA https://www.ebay.com/itm/2763350333...3cfxxHZyc3D8vPAYYRx9VdodE=|tkp:Bk9SR96v5IikZA

 

[1998 K1500 Bubbles]

Have you washed the radiator? You might be amazed how much junk has accumulated in those fins over the last 245k miles.

Yes, I washed out the radiator out when I flushed it.