help finding a new radiator - 85 Holiday Rambler

[Rickf1985]

Ahh, Joan must be a horse person? Rubber saddles Joan, NOT leather! Unless you Canadians have a different meaning for saddles?

[joanfenn]

I will admit to nothing N:(

[M & J]

Ya.  OUCH!

[legomybago]

These are spaced just about perfect for the crimps to sit in but they are centered. I only notched my tops but it was a tight fit. The reason I say to do it so the radiator sits towards the engine side of the radiator support is because the new radiator is a bit thinner than the old one and if it is centered you not be able to get anything on the clamp to tighten it. The clamp will be back behind the edge of the support and you cannot get a nutdriver in there easily at all. I am going to pull my fan shroud back off tomorrow and I hope I can get to them. The alternative would be to put the radiator hoses on the radiator first before putting it in but you have to make sure they are pointed in the right direction. 

Good observation Rick. I can see someone installing the radiator, then realizing they couldn't get hose clamps on the radiator hoses!! More than likely those hoses need a snug up after you've ran the engine and got it warm, I always, always snug up hose clamps after warm ups.

[Rickf1985]

Ya.  OUCH!

OK, You guys know something I don't. i?? I googled "saddles" and all I got were horse saddles and Blazing saddles. Good movie.

Another hint, I always put Permatex #3 aviation cement on all hoses. It make for a good seal especially on pitted thermostat housings. But it also makes it a lot easier to get off later.

[Rickf1985]

OK, I got the clamp on the top hose but I can't even start to describe the tools involved. I even dug out a neat little gem I haven't used in years and they don't even sell anymore I don't think. A flexible extension for a 1/4" drive socket. I strongly suggest you take a real good look or even a couple pictures of the hose position before removing the old radiator and then put the hose on before installing the radiator, use a NEW hose! Another little quirk and you can even see it in your pictures. I did not notice it till I tried to put the hose on. The inlet is just a hair further over towards the side than the old one. Look at your pic's, top view, and you can see it. I don't know how much room you have around the radiator and core support but I have NONE!
This stuff would all be just a minor inconvenience in a normal truck or car where there is a normal amount of room to work. You would think that in a box as big as these things there would be more room!

[Lefty]

Good tip about the aviation cement Rick. I've never heard of it. I've had new hoses refuse to seal before due to exactly what you described... next time I'll try that.

I have two specialty tools that might have come in handy, but only if you used a  factory spring style clamp. One is a long reach pliers designed to hold the clamp with it at a 90deg angle to the pliers... perfect if there is little to no room to each side, but room facing the hose fitting directly.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/lil-17100?seid=srese1&gclid=COLwn-H4u78CFXNo7AodzXEA5w
The other is a tool that holds the clamp with it in-line to the tool. Good if there is access from a side, but no room facing the connection.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/shc-947390?seid=srese1&gclid=CMO274P5u78CFa9r7AodwSQA9w

Between the two styles, I can usually manage even the most difficult to access clamps. Besides, spring style clamps need no tightening, are simple one action on/off, and don't over tighten the hoses causing damage or leaking.

[Rickf1985]

Lefty, Good tips. And even better, I never even thought about the factory style clamp. That would have been a little better although I cannot get to mine from the rear. On others that might work if you can get to the back of the radiator from inside the rig.

[legomybago]

Another fun one to get to on the factory brass radiator is the heater hose port on the top right of radiator (engine side)....Takes about a 3" piece of 3/4" hose out of radiator, than a 90 degree elbow reducer fitting down to the 5/8" hose. Those clamps there you want to make sure you have them sealed up good.

[Rickf1985]

I can reach over top of the radiator and get to that one and it is 5/8" on mine from the radiator straight back to a Tee at the engine and then it continues on to the rear where it goes to the hot water heater and then all the way to the back to the aux. house heater.

[Rickf1985]

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-cable-operated-hose-clamp-pliers/p-00947390000P?s_tnt=57497:3:0&sLevel=0&redirectType=SKIP_LEVEL&prop17=9-47390
Same tool as above but from Sears. Note price difference. Summit really should block out the Craftsman logo. LOL.