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1990 K5 Radiator Updagrade

Yes it is going into the red zone,
stat will becoming out next to throw in a pot of water, I already know its not opening but visual is all ways better.
Upper hose hot as hell, bottom hose cold, and no heat
 
The upper hose wouldn't be that hot if the thermostat stuck closed. That scenario would lead me to the water pump.

The other day when I replaced the heater core in my '90, the coolant level went down immediately after I started it to fill the system. Mine has the heater return coolant to the radiator tank, and I am able to see the coolant flow at first. Then once I poured enough in, then I just had swirling coolant in the tank.
 
Ok so I pulled the stat-out, put the neck and hose back on and started the truck and no flow from the "New Water Pump" *&$#%#!!

So either this one was built on a Friday after lunch and someone forgot the impeller or a standard rotation unit was boxed in a reverse rotation. Does anyone know how to tell the difference
 
I wouldn't diagnose it any further. Just keep your temper in check when you take the piece of crap back!!!!
If you take it apart, they may try to refuse warranty.
 
So it worked out to be my error on this one. I dropped the lower hose and the coolant poured out of the radiator, but nothing came out of the lower hose. So I was like WTF, started looking at the lower house and I notice a black piece sucked up into the hose. My only assumption is this must have been a plug that was pushed into the inner diameter of the lower radiator outlet from packaging is all I can come up with. That being said all is complete and working properly now.
 
So here is my parts list for a successful big block radiator upgrade.

LMC Parts

32-0988 Upper panel radiator mount Qty.1

32-0972 Radiator support mounting pad Qty.4

32-2850 Fan Shroud Qty.1

30-0948 U-nut A/R Qty.5 (Not required if your old stuff is in good condition, just makes for an easier install)

30-0591 Screw A/R Qty.5 (Not required if your old stuff is in good condition, just makes for an easier install)


Other Parts

CU730 Spectra Big Block Radiator, 2 core Qty.1 The bummer was that the tanks were plastic, but yet a decent piece, and I could not beat the Pepboys price when ordering online for $98.00

22187 Gates Radiator Hose upper, good quality hose as the LMC ones were junk and I sent them back

21620 Gates Radiator Hose lower, good quality hose as the LMC ones were junk and I sent them back

8mx1.25x65m long 10.9 harden bolts, lock washer and flat washer Qty.4

3962 Hayden Fan Spacer 2” thick (I had to machine it down to 1.5” thick) Key is to make sure both male and female pilots match water pump snout and fan blade. If time permitted I would have found something in a 1.5” thickness, but I could not find one locally

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sorry to bring this back from the dead but does anyone have the part number for the top radiator hold down brackets for this application?
 
Maybe he is referring to the smaller radiator in which the 2 hold downs mount to the side of the core support. ??? That's definitely the BBC rad hold down plate and the BBC fan shroud....just like the one i gave you dave.
 
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